Description
Savory slow cooker chicken breasts with gravy offer a comforting meal that elevates weeknight dinners. Home cooks can easily prepare this tender, flavorful dish with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (2 lbs / 907 g)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tsp thyme, dried
- 1 cup chicken broth, low-sodium (240 ml)
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz / 298 g)
- 1 packet chicken gravy mix (0.87 oz / 25 g)
- ½ cup sour cream (120 ml), optional
- parsley, fresh, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Combine garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to create a vibrant spice blend. Thoroughly coat chicken breasts on both sides with the aromatic seasoning mixture.
- Slow Cooker Setup: Arrange seasoned chicken breasts in a single layer within the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, gravy mix, and dried thyme until smooth and well-integrated.
- Liquid Integration: Pour the whisked sauce evenly over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage and submersion of the meat.
- Cooking Process: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F (74C) and becomes fork-tender.
- Gravy Finishing: Remove chicken and transfer to a serving platter. Stir sour cream into the remaining cooking liquid, creating a rich, velvety gravy.
- Serving Preparation: Slice or shred the chicken as desired. Drizzle with the freshly prepared gravy and garnish with chopped parsley for a pop of color and added flavor.
- Plating: Serve alongside complementary sides such as creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or buttered egg noodles for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- Prevent Dry Chicken: Use chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and maintain moisture throughout the slow cooking process.
- Boost Flavor Depth: Layer seasonings generously and consider adding a splash of white wine or fresh herbs to enhance the overall taste profile of the gravy.
- Temperature Precision: Always check internal chicken temperature reaches 165F to guarantee food safety without overcooking the meat.
- Gravy Texture Trick: Whisk sour cream gradually into the cooking liquid to prevent curdling and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg