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
Lee @ We Travel There says
Perfect timing ahead of the holidays.
Kristin says
Agreed! A great recipe to use at Thanksgiving and Christmas with turkey drippings too! Enjoy!
Dee says
A keeper recipe!!! Quick, easy and so tasty!!!! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Kristin says
Glad you enjoyed!!
Gabby says
Are you able to make the gravy the night before? I’m think for the office potluck breakfast, this would go with the biscuits.
Kristin says
Absolutely! You’ll just reheat it before serving, but works great!
Brian Richardson says
This is very similar to my homemade gravy. Another benefit to this recipe is when you get the butter flour rue mixed, you can use beef broth instead and make a yummy beef gravy!
Kristin says
Great thinking! Such a yummy gravy!! I use it on everything!
Mz says
this is delish with cut up chicken mixed with it and served over waffles or toast bread and mash potatoes
Kristin says
GREAT idea!!! I will need to try that!
Marah says
Is there an alternative to the flour? I am looking for a gravy recipe that doesn’t use any grain
Kristin says
The only alternative I can think of is cornstarch as I have used it before in place of flour. I am not sure what else would work, sorry! If using cornstarch, cut in half what you would use of flour!
Amanda says
Should it be lumpy??
Kristin says
Nope, this gravy is smooth 🙂
Hailey O. says
I have always struggled with gravy but this recipe is very simple and really delicious!!
Kristin says
Yea!! Glad you enjoyed it!!!
Joanne says
Can you please tell me if i should use salted or unsalted butter.
Thank you
Kristin says
Unsalted is best in this recipe! Enjoy!!
Evelyn jordan says
Easy and very good. I am not good at gravy but I can make this thank you
Kristin says
Glad you enjoyed it!!
Amm says
Used today for proportions for chicken pot pie gravy. Perfect – I omitted the salt because chicken broth is so salty. Hard to beat.
Kristin says
Yea! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Rose says
Just tried the gravy, it was so easy and delicious! Thank you!
Kristin says
Yea!! So glad you enjoyed it! The gravy is a favorite in my house!
Gigi says
I just made this! We have a big family so I had to multiply 4x. I used Sweet Cream Butter (salted)…. and cut the salt and pepper in half! It turned out perfect! Thank you for sharing such an easy gravy recipe 🙂
Kristin says
Yea!! So glad you enjoyed it! My family loves it, and I love how simple it is, hehe!!
Dallas says
Will try this
Kristin says
You’ll love this! Let me know what you think 🙂