Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts split lengthwise into thinner breasts; or 4 medium/small chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- kosher salt & black pepper
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon chicken base – (we recommend Better Than Bouillon brand)
- 4 tablespoon all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup heavy cream – *Optional!!
Serving
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Instructions
- Season and sear the chicken: Lightly season your chicken breasts with kosher salt and pepper. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Don’t rush this part—let the chicken get that golden, slightly crispy exterior.
- Make the roux: After removing the chicken from the pan, lower the heat to medium-low and add your butter. Let it melt and then stir in the chicken base. This adds a ton of flavor, so be sure to stir well. Next, sprinkle in the flour mixture (that has the garlic and onion powder mixed in) and stir constantly to form a roux. Keep stirring for about 30 seconds to a minute, just until the roux starts to turn golden.
- Create the gravy: Slowly pour in the chicken stock, whisking as you go. This helps to deglaze the pan and incorporate all those browned bits from cooking the chicken. Add the water and keep whisking until the gravy thickens. This should take about 3-5 minutes. If you want a richer gravy, pour in the heavy cream at this point and give it a good stir.
- Finish and serve: Now it’s time to return the chicken to the skillet, either whole or shredded (I personally love shredding the chicken so every bite is soaked in gravy). Let it simmer for a few minutes to soak up all those flavors. Taste the gravy and adjust the seasoning if necessary, though it’s usually perfect as is. Serve this deliciousness over mashed potatoes or rice, and don’t forget the peas on the side!
Notes
Presentation ideas and what to serve on the side 🎉
When serving, I like to keep things simple and rustic. Spoon the shredded chicken and gravy generously over a bed of mashed potatoes or rice. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color, and serve alongside buttery peas or roasted vegetables. For an extra special touch, you could serve it with garlic bread on the side to soak up all that lovely gravy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner