If you’ve ever wished for a luscious, homemade gravy without the fuss or hunting down droppings from roasted chicken, then you’re in for a treat. This Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe is my go-to for quick, comforting meals that still taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. I absolutely love how it turns out silky, flavorful, and just the right balance of savory warmth—perfect to drizzle over mashed potatoes, biscuits, or your favorite weeknight dinner.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Simple: Just a handful of pantry staples come together in under 15 minutes.
No Drippings Needed: You don’t have to roast a chicken just to get rich flavor—this recipe uses chicken base for that homemade taste.
Perfectly Creamy Option: Add heavy cream for a silky texture or skip it for a lighter gravy without sacrificing depth.
Versatile Flavor: The blend of onion, garlic, and paprika lets you adapt the gravy to many dishes easily.

A white gravy boat filled with smooth, light brown gravy topped with a small sprig of fresh green thyme and a sprinkle of black pepper sits on a dark wooden tray. Some gravy is slightly spilled on the right side of the gravy boat. The tray rests on a white marbled surface with a dark green cloth partially draped below the gravy boat. In the background, a shallow wooden bowl on a white plate holds a large, creamy mound of mashed potatoes with a soft, slightly textured surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe works together to build layers of cozy flavor. I always recommend using a good quality chicken stock or broth here because it’s the backbone of your gravy. The rest is all about creating that perfect roux and seasoning balance.

Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level perfectly.
All-purpose flour: This is what thickens your gravy to that silky texture we all crave.
Unsalted chicken stock: The heart of the gravy; opt for a rich, flavorful stock for best results.
Chicken base: I love this concentrated flavor booster—it enhances the chicken taste without extra salt.
Onion powder: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth easily, no chopping required.
Garlic powder: Just enough to bring warmth and aroma without overpowering.
Paprika: Gives a gentle smokiness and beautiful color.
Salt and black pepper: To season the gravy to your taste.
Heavy cream (optional): For a luxurious, creamier finish if you’re in the mood.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to experiment a little depending on what I’m serving the gravy with. The beauty of this Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe is how adaptable it is—you can tweak spices or dairy to suit your mood or diet.

Herbed: Adding fresh thyme or sage really makes it taste like a Sunday roast gravy.
Dairy-Free: Skip the heavy cream and use coconut milk or almond milk to keep it creamy without dairy.
Spicy Kick: A pinch of cayenne or smoked chipotle powder gives it a warm heat that pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken.
Rich & Robust: Substitute part of the chicken stock with white wine for a deeper flavor complexity.

How to Make Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe

Step 1: Make Your Roux – The Flavor Base

Start by melting your unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and stir continuously. This is key—keep the mixture moving so it cooks evenly without burning. You’ll notice it starts thickening and turning to a pretty golden brown after about 3 minutes; that’s your cue to stop cooking the roux and move on. This step develops that rich, nutty flavor that gives homemade gravies their charm.

Step 2: Whisk in the Chicken Stock Slowly

Now, slowly pour in your chicken stock like a slow rain while whisking steadily to prevent lumps. I always recommend pouring half first, whisking thoroughly, then adding the rest. This keeps it smooth and silky. Stir in the chicken base along with the onion and garlic powders, paprika, and give it a taste. Season with salt and pepper carefully—some chicken base is salty already, so add gradually.

Step 3: Simmer and Adjust Consistency

Bring your gravy to a light simmer, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom and edges to avoid scorching. This is where it thickens and all those flavors marry beautifully. If your gravy feels too thick, don’t hesitate to thin it out with up to half a cup more chicken stock. Remember, gravy will continue thickening as it cools, so aim for a slightly thinner consistency while it’s hot.

Step 4: Optional Creamy Finish

If you want a luxuriously creamy gravy, stir in a few tablespoons of heavy cream at the end just before serving. It totally transforms the texture without overwhelming the chicken flavor. This step is optional but one I personally adore when serving this gravy over mashed potatoes or biscuits.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe

Use Room Temperature Butter: I learned this trick to avoid clumps and create a smoother roux that cooks evenly.
Whisk Constantly: Stirring without pause while adding stock keeps your gravy lump-free every time.
Adjust Salting Last: Chicken base adds saltiness, so taste before adding more salt—it saves from over-seasoning.
Don’t Overcook the Roux: Aim for light golden brown; too dark makes the gravy bitter, which I’ve accidentally done and don’t recommend!

How to Serve Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe

A wooden plate holds a meal with three main parts: smooth white mashed potatoes in the center with a well in the middle where light brown gravy is being poured from a white jug, bright green cooked green beans placed at the back, and golden brown sliced chicken with a slightly crispy texture on the right side. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a dark green cloth napkin partly visible on the left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a little fresh chopped parsley or thyme over the top before serving—it brightens the look and adds a fresh herb note that balances out the creamy gravy. A pinch of freshly ground black pepper on top doesn’t hurt either!

Side Dishes

This gravy is heaven over creamy mashed potatoes—that’s my family’s ultimate comfort combo. It also goes beautifully with roasted vegetables, biscuits, or even poured over steamed rice or stuffing. When I make slow cooker chicken or turkey, this gravy is the perfect easy sauce to elevate the dish.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving this gravy in a pretty gravy boat with a side of fresh herb sprigs to make it feel a bit fancy. Another fun trick is to drizzle it over a stack of fluffy breakfast biscuits with scrambled eggs for a brunch twist that wows guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the fridge and it keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. Before using, just give it a good stir since it can thicken a bit as it chills.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze this gravy for up to 3 months. I pour it into smaller containers or freezer bags so I can thaw just what I need. When thawing, do it overnight in the fridge to keep the texture smooth.

Reheating

When reheating, I gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat while stirring frequently. If it’s too thick, a splash of chicken stock or water loosens it right up without losing flavor or texture. Microwave works too, but I recommend stirring every 20 seconds for even heat.

FAQs

Can I make this Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe without chicken base?

Yes! While chicken base boosts flavor easily, you can skip it and rely on a high-quality chicken stock or broth. Just taste and adjust seasoning as needed to keep the gravy flavorful.
How do I prevent lumps in my chicken gravy?

The key is to whisk constantly while you slowly add the chicken stock to the roux. Also, ensure you’ve cooked the roux properly before adding liquid and use room temperature butter and broth for a smoother mix.
Can I make this gravy ahead of time?

Absolutely! This gravy holds up well refrigerated and even freezes great. Just reheat gently with a bit of extra stock if it thickens too much.
Is heavy cream necessary in this gravy?

Nope! Heavy cream is optional. It adds a richer, creamier texture that I love, but the gravy is still delicious without it—just a bit lighter.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Easy Chicken Gravy Recipe has become one of my kitchen staples because it’s just so comforting and straightforward. Whether you’re spooning it over dinner or making a quick batch for biscuits, it delivers that cozy homemade feeling with zero stress. I can’t recommend giving it a try enough—once you make it a couple of times, you’ll have your own little gravy secret everyone asks about!