Chicken Gravy Recipe

Chicken gravy is a comforting, flavorful addition to any meal, perfect for enhancing dishes like roasted or fried chicken, mashed potatoes, rice, or biscuits. Made with the pan drippings from cooked chicken and a simple roux, this classic American side dish is incredibly versatile and easy to prepare. Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast or making a weeknight dinner special, this smooth, savory chicken gravy will tie everything together.

In this article, you’ll find step-by-step instructions to make the perfect chicken gravy, tips for achieving the ideal consistency, and creative variations to customize it to your taste. Let’s dive into the art of making homemade chicken gravy that’s sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Gravy Recipe

1. Rich and Flavorful: The use of chicken drippings infuses the gravy with deep, savory flavors that elevate any dish.
2. Easy to Make: With just a few basic ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up a delicious homemade gravy in minutes.
3. Customizable: Add herbs, spices, or cream to tailor the gravy to your preferences.
4. Versatile: Pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes, from roasted meats to classic sides like mashed potatoes and biscuits.
5. Economical: This recipe makes the most of leftover pan drippings, minimizing waste while maximizing flavor.

Ingredients for Chicken Gravy

Here’s what you’ll need to create the ultimate chicken gravy:

• Chicken Drippings or Butter: Drippings from roasted or fried chicken provide a rich base. If you don’t have drippings, unsalted butter works as a substitute.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the gravy into a smooth consistency.
• Chicken Broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness. Homemade broth is ideal if available.
• Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder add depth to the flavor.
• Optional Garnishes: Fresh thyme or parsley for a touch of freshness and presentation.

How to Make Chicken Gravy: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan

After roasting or frying your chicken, transfer it to a serving dish and set it aside. The pan will have flavorful drippings left behind. If there’s excess fat, remove some, leaving about 2 tablespoons for the gravy.

2. Make the Roux

Heat the pan with the drippings over medium heat. If you’re using butter instead of drippings, melt it in the pan. Once hot, sprinkle in the flour. Stir continuously with a whisk or wooden spoon to create a roux.

Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, allowing it to develop a golden-brown color. Be careful not to burn it, as this will affect the taste of your gravy.

3. Add the Chicken Broth

Gradually pour in the chicken broth while whisking constantly. This step prevents lumps and ensures a smooth gravy.

Keep whisking until the mixture thickens and becomes velvety. This process should take about 3-5 minutes.

4. Season the Gravy

Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you prefer a more herbaceous flavor, you can add fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage.

5. Simmer and Thicken

Lower the heat and let the gravy simmer for 3-4 minutes to deepen the flavors and achieve your desired consistency. If the gravy is too thick, add a little more chicken broth or water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer longer.

6. Serve

Remove the gravy from the heat and pour it over roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, or biscuits. For an elegant touch, garnish with fresh thyme or parsley.

Tips for Making Perfect Chicken Gravy

1. Use Quality Drippings: The better the drippings, the better your gravy will taste. Roast chicken with seasonings to create flavorful drippings.
2. Avoid Lumps: Whisk constantly while adding the broth to prevent lumps. If lumps form, strain the gravy through a fine mesh sieve.
3. Adjust Thickness: For a thinner gravy, add more liquid. For a thicker consistency, let it cook longer or add a touch more flour.
4. Low-Sodium Broth: Using low-sodium chicken broth allows you to control the salt level. You can always add more salt if needed.
5. Make It Creamy: For a richer texture, stir in a splash of cream or milk at the end.

Variations of Chicken Gravy

1. Herb-Infused Gravy

Add fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, sage, or thyme to the roux for an aromatic twist. Simmer the gravy with the herbs and remove them before serving.

2. Creamy Chicken Gravy

For a richer, creamier gravy, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream or whole milk once the gravy has thickened.

3. Spicy Gravy

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a hint of spice. This pairs beautifully with fried chicken.

4. Mushroom Chicken Gravy

Sauté sliced mushrooms in the drippings before adding the flour to make a mushroom-infused gravy.

5. Lemon-Herb Gravy

Add a splash of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley for a bright, tangy finish.

What to Serve with Chicken Gravy

Chicken gravy is versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes:

1. Mashed Potatoes: A classic pairing that never disappoints.
2. Roasted or Fried Chicken: Elevate your chicken with a drizzle of rich gravy.
3. Rice: Pour gravy over steamed rice for a simple, flavorful meal.
4. Biscuits: Use the gravy as a dipping sauce or pour it over warm, fluffy biscuits.
5. Vegetables: Drizzle over roasted or steamed veggies for added flavor.

Storage and Reheating Tips

• Refrigeration: Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Let the gravy cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheating: Reheat the gravy on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. If it thickens too much, add a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I Make Chicken Gravy Without Drippings?

Yes! Use unsalted butter or a combination of butter and olive oil as a substitute for drippings.

2. What Can I Use to Thicken the Gravy?

All-purpose flour is the traditional thickener, but you can also use cornstarch mixed with water as a gluten-free alternative.

3. How Do I Fix Lumpy Gravy?

Strain the gravy through a fine mesh sieve to remove lumps. Whisking constantly while adding the broth helps prevent lumps in the first place.

Conclusion

This rich and savory chicken gravy recipe is a must-have for any meal. It’s easy to prepare, packed with flavor, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re pouring it over roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, or biscuits, it’s guaranteed to take your dish to the next level.

With a few simple ingredients and a little practice, you’ll master the art of homemade chicken gravy in no time. So, next time you roast or fry chicken, save those drippings and whip up a batch of this delicious gravy—it’s sure to become a family favorite!

Chicken Gravy Recipe

This rich and savory chicken gravy is the perfect accompaniment to roasted or fried chicken, mashed potatoes, rice, or biscuits. It’s made using the pan drippings from the chicken, combined with a simple roux to thicken and enhance the flavor. The result is a smooth, flavorful gravy that brings everything together.

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Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Equipment

• Large skillet or frying pan
• Whisk
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula

Ingredients

  

• 2 tablespoons of chicken drippings or unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth preferably low-sodium
• ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder optional
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder optional
• Fresh thyme or parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

 

• Prepare the pan:
• After roasting or frying your chicken, remove it from the pan and set it aside. You should have some drippings left in the pan. If there’s too much fat, you can remove a bit of it, but leave about 2 tablespoons of drippings.
• Make the roux:
• Heat the pan with the drippings over medium heat. If you’re using butter, melt it in the pan. Once hot, sprinkle the flour into the pan. Stir constantly with a whisk or a wooden spoon to create a roux (a smooth paste). Cook the roux for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes golden brown, but be careful not to burn it.
• Add the chicken broth:
• Gradually add the chicken broth to the roux, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
• Season the gravy:
• Stir in the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding more salt or pepper if necessary.
• Simmer and thicken:
• Lower the heat and let the gravy simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. If it gets too thick, you can add more chicken broth to thin it out. If it’s too thin, let it cook a little longer.
• Serve:
• Once the gravy is at the right thickness, remove it from the heat. Pour it over your chicken, mashed potatoes, or any other dish you like. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired.

Video

Notes

Flavor Variations:
You can add a splash of cream or milk at the end of cooking for a richer, creamier gravy.

Using Pan Drippings:
If you don’t have enough drippings, you can substitute with chicken broth or a bit of oil and butter for flavor.

Adjusting Consistency:
If the gravy becomes too thick, simply add a little more chicken broth, water, or even milk to reach the desired consistency.

Herb Infusion:
Fresh or dried herbs like rosemary or sage can be added during the simmering process for an additional layer of flavor.

For a Smooth Gravy:
If your gravy ends up lumpy, you can strain it through a fine mesh sieve to smooth it out before serving.

Enjoy your homemade chicken gravy!

Keyword Chicken Gravy