This easy homemade Chicken Gravy recipe is made completely from scratch, with or without chicken drippings, and comes together in under 10 minutes. Smooth, rich, and lump-free, it's far better than store-bought and perfect for spooning over roasted chicken, loaded mashed potatoes, rice, or flaky buttermilk biscuits.
When my husband and I first married, I thought gravy from a powdered packet was homemade, ha! Then I tried real chicken gravy and was shocked at the flavor. It's simple, ready in only a few minutes, and since that day, no packet gravy has ever touched our table.
Quick Look: Simple Chicken Gravy Recipe
- ⏱ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 5 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 10 minutes
- 🍽 Servings: 6
- 📊 Calories: 78 kcal per serving (may vary)
- 🍗 Works With: Chicken drippings or chicken broth
- 💪 Difficulty: Easy
- 🥔 Serve With: Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes, French Onion Rice, Chicken Stuffing Casserole, roasted meats, vegetables, or warm Buttery Bread Machine Rolls.
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor-packed– this takes food from bland to flavorful
- Easy comfort food– perfect to pour over any food desired from every day meals to special occasions
- It can be made with or without chicken drippings– if you have drippings, use them, if not, stick with broth, either way is a success
- Quick– ready to use in only a few minutes
- Freezes perfectly– save time and make a batch to use at a later date
- Versatile– make it YOUR perfect consistency and flavor
Basically, this recipe is a game changer. One taste and you will be hooked. Plus, since it uses ingredients that are pantry staples, you may already have all the ingredients needed to make this.
I forgot to buy our usual packet gravy for Thanksgiving and found this recipe and now we will never go back!! My kids were so impressed with me 😂 Thank you!!
What are Chicken Drippings?
You may have read above that this gravy can be made with or without chicken drippings. Drippings are what’s left in the roasting pan after cooking the chicken/turkey. This includes fat that has melted and any bits of meat that may have fallen off. This extra liquid will be poured away from the chicken into a separate bowl and used to make the chicken gravy. Using drippings adds way more flavor to the gravy, however, broth works great too!
Ingredient Notes
Using a few pantry staple ingredients, this easy chicken gravy can be made quickly and for any occasion. See recipe card at the bottom of this post for full ingredient amounts and step by step instructions.
- Butter- provides the base of the roux and makes the gravy rich and flavorful. Use unsalted butter so you can add salt to taste.
- Flour- is melted with the butter to thicken the gravy, use all-purpose flour.
- Chicken Broth- use reduced sodium to avoid the gravy being too salty. You can also use chicken drippings in place of the broth.
- Salt- adjust this according to taste. Start with 1 teaspoon and add more if desired.
- Pepper- I love a peppery addition, some don’t, feel free to omit. You can also use some dried herbs such as Oregano, Thyme, Parsley, and/or Paprika.
Recipe Variations
- Change up the spices- add in some dried herbs to make this a bit more savory. Oregano, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, and more are all great options.
- Use turkey OR chicken broth depending on what you are serving this over.
- Stir in ½ cup sour cream at the end for an added creamy variation.
- To make gluten-free gravy, use cornstarch to thicken the gravy versus using the flour. Bring the broth to a boil in a saucepan and use 2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the boiling stock until it thickens. Continue recipe as stated otherwise.
How to Make Chicken Gravy From Scratch
Step 1. Add the butter to a saucepan over medium heat.
Step 2. Let the butter melt completely. This creates the base for your homemade chicken gravy.
Step 3. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
Step 4. This butter-and-flour mixture (called a roux) is what thickens the gravy.
Step 5. Gradually pour in the chicken broth (or chicken drippings) while whisking constantly. Adding the liquid slowly is the key to preventing lumps in your chicken gravy.
Step 6. Stir in the salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you like. Keep whisking until everything is fully combined.
Step 7. Continue cooking over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency. This usually takes just a few minutes.
Step 8. Once thick and smooth, remove from heat and serve your simple chicken gravy over loaded mashed potatoes, chicken, French onion rice, or vegetables.
This simple method works whether you're making chicken gravy with drippings or using broth, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or holiday meals.
Tips for Success
- Add broth slowly and whisk, whisk, whisk. You want to get all the clumps out from the roux to make this smooth and creamy.
- Season to fit your tastes. Add more or less to make it your own.
- This gravy recipe calls for broth so make sure to use one that is high quality. The more flavor the better! You can also use stock.
- It really only takes a few minutes. Don't walk away from the stove as this gravy thickens fast!
Storage
- Refrigerator: Up to 4 days in an airtight container
- Freezer: Up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container
Chicken Gravy Recipe FAQs
Lumps usually happen when broth is added too quickly or the roux isn't whisked enough. Slowly pour in the liquid while whisking constantly to keep the gravy smooth.
Let the chicken gravy simmer over low heat until thickened. It will continue to thicken slightly as it cools. If it's still too thin, whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water, stir it in, and simmer for 1 or 2 more minutes.
Yes! Chicken gravy can be made up to 3-4 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth if needed.
Yes! Allow to fully cool before transferring to a freezer safe container up to 3 months. Allow to thaw and reheat in saucepan over stove when ready to serve.
You can make chicken gravy without drippings by using butter and flour to form a roux, then whisking in chicken broth. It's just as flavorful and takes only a few minutes.
What to Serve with Chicken Gravy
This is one of those simple recipes that makes any meal feel extra special. Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for more tried-and-true comfort food favorites.
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Chicken Gravy Recipe (Simple & Homemade)
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 5 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth or chicken drippings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Melt the butter over medium heat in a saucepan.
- Whisk in the flour until smooth and combined to form a roux.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth (or drippings), whisking constantly until smooth.
- Add the salt and pepper and continue stirring.
- Simmer for a few minutes until the chicken gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and serve warm.
Notes
- With or without drippings: This chicken gravy recipe works with chicken drippings or broth. Drippings add extra flavor, but broth makes a delicious homemade gravy too.
- To thicken gravy: Let the gravy simmer a little longer. If needed, whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water, stir it in, and simmer until thickened.
- To thin gravy: Add a splash of chicken broth and whisk until smooth.
- Season to taste: Adjust salt, pepper, or add herbs like thyme, sage, or parsley for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Kelly says
This was so easy! Thank you. I never make gravy and my daughter was so impressed 😂
Thanks for making me look good in the kitchen!
Kristin Hayes says
Yay!! Glad you enjoy the recipe!!
Stacey says
I forgot to buy our usual packet gravy for Thanksgiving and found this recipe and now we will never go back!! My kids were so impressed with me 😂 Thank you!!
Kristin Hayes says
Yay!! Love hearing this!! So glad you enjoyed!!
Cheryl says
I love gravy! But I never thought I could make a good chicken gravy when baking a whole roasted chicken because there’s hardly any drippings. However tonight’s gravy was delicious 😋 thank you.
Kristin Hayes says
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Cris says
similar to how I make it. but easier; and w/out the drippings.
Kristin says
Glad you enjoy too!! Such a tasty addition to any meal!!
Marcia L Johnson says
I Never thought I would be able to make my own gravy.. Your Wonderful recipe made it so easy and My husband Loved it!!!
Kristin Hayes says
Yay! Love hearing this! Glad you and your hubby enjoyed!
Isabella says
It was very easy and I find myself making this recipe often! Only thing I changed is I add extra butter to help make it smoother.
Kristin says
Yay!! Glad you enjoy it as much as we do!
Lisa says
I eat low carb but hubby wanted potatoes and gravy. I purchased a rotisserie chicken, so I had no “drippings.” I make my own bone broth and followed your recipe exactly. Hubby loved the gravy! Thanks so much!
Kristin says
Yay!! Love hearing this! So glad it was enjoyed!!
Kaylene Larwin says
super easy, turned out great. thank you!
Kristin says
Yay!! Glad to hear you enjoyed!!
Ken says
This is very easy and quick and quite good!
Kristin says
Yay!! Glad you enjoy it too! We love this at Thanksgiving using our turkey drippings!
Paula says
It was delicious but I will cut the salt in half. I also put some poultry seasoning in it,
Kristin says
Great idea too! Glad you enjoyed!
Bbinek says
I’ll give this recipe an absolute 10 out of 10. Extremely convenient and very delicious. I had to use whole wheat flour and still tasted amazing, and also used leftover chicken broth out of my homeade chicken soup I made 3 nights prior (chunks of celery, carrots and chicken were put in too)… best gravy I’ve ever had!!! and mind you…I lived in Germany for almost 3 years and they use a lot of gravy… this is the best yet 👏
Kristin says
Yay!!! Love hearing this!! What a great review!! Thanks for the great feedback and so glad you enjoy the gravy recipe as much as my family does!