This chicken gravy recipe is easy to make without drippings! Take your recipes to the next level with my secret ingredient for the best chicken gravy of all time, combined with simple seasonings that add the perfect balance of flavors!
If you happen to have drippings at home, even better. This recipe can be easily adapted to incorporate them in.
Chicken Gravy
Knowing how to make chicken gravy that tastes this good, in a matter of minutes, is a dangerous skill for me to have. The seasoning combination is perfect and tastes great with creamy mashed potatoes, roast chicken, poutine, or even mashed potato casserole with crispy chicken.
The ingredient list is short and simple, and that’s all you really need for a good chicken gravy recipe. Don’t miss my secret ingredient below, you might be surprised by what it is, but I’m sure you have some at home!
PS- This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 241!
How to Make It
See recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full written instructions
Add chicken broth to a saucepan. Add the soy sauce. You’ll never know it’s in there, except that it enhances the flavor of the gravy and adds umami.
Add the seasonings and stir to combine. Bring to a boil.
Add the cornstarch + COLD water Mixture. The cold water helps prevent lumps from forming when added to liquid. Whisk continuously as you add it. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened.
Remove from heat. Swirl in a Tablespoon of COLD unsalted butter for a smooth, velvety finish. This is a technique that chefs use called “monter au beurre”.
Pro Tip: If a darker color is preferred, add 1-2 drops of Kitchen Bouquet browning and seasoning sauce.
Making Gravy with a Roux vs. a Slurry
This recipe uses a slurry to thicken the gravy by combining Cornstarch + Cold Water and pouring it into the boiling liquid while whisking continuously. This thickens the gravy.
If we were to use a roux, we would be combining flour and butter in the pan at the beginning of the cooking process.
I chose to use a slurry for this recipe because we add cold butter to the gravy at the end for a smooth finish and I wanted to avoid having too much butter flavor by starting with a roux at the beginning.
How to Make it With Drippings
If you make anything that results in having meat drippings at the end, whether it’s pork, chicken, or beef, be sure to save them for this gravy. You can always freeze the drippings until you’re ready to use them.
If you have drippings, simply add them in along with the chicken broth, which will give you even more gravy. You can also measure out your drippings and top it off with enough broth to make 2 cups total. Bouillon may not be needed if drippings are being used—taste first and add if necessary.
Adding Soy Sauce to Gravy
Soy Sauce is a great ingredient to add to gravy because it enhances the other flavors and adds umami. You won’t be able to detect it, it will just make the gravy taste great. You can also use Worcestershire Sauce if needed.
Storage
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
What to Serve with Chicken Gravy
More Recipes From Scratch
- Brown Gravy
- Chicken Stock
- Cream of Chicken Soup
- Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Marinara Sauce
- Breadcrumbs
- Caesar Dressing
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Tried This Recipe?
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Chicken Gravy Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 tsp better than bouillon
- 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce, you can’t taste it, but it enhances the flavors
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried sage
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 Tablespoon cold unsalted butter
Instructions
- Add the chicken broth, soy sauce, bouillon, and seasonings to a medium pot.
- Combine the cold water and corn starch in a small Tupperware with a lid. Shake to combine.
- Bring gravy to a boil and whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Reduce heat to medium low. Continue to whisk to ensure that it blends in smoothly.
- Let it gently simmer until its of desired thickness. The longer it simmers, the more concentrated the flavor will be.
- Remove from heat. Swirl in one tablespoon COLD butter just before serving. This adds a silky, velvety finish.
- Pro Tip: If a darker color is preferred, add 1-2 drops of Kitchen Bouquet browning and seasoning sauce.
Notes
- If you have drippings: simply add them in along with the chicken broth, which will give you even more gravy. You can also measure out your drippings and top it off with enough broth to make 2 cups total. Bouillon may not be needed if drippings are being used—taste first and add if necessary.
- Sodium Preference You may want to consider using reduced sodium chicken broth/bouillon if preferred.
- Optional Ingredient Additions: Sautéed onions, shallots, and/or mushrooms make a great addition to gravy.
- This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 241!
I was pleasantly surprised how flavorful this gravy is. It even looks pretty with the spices in it. Thank you. Also, I was wondering if you have a recipe for turkey gravy without the drippings.
I am so happy to hear that Michelle, thank you so much!! I do have a recipe for Turkey Gravy, but I haven’t figured out how to alter it enough without drippings without having it taste like my chicken gravy! I’ll have to think!
Very easy. Needed the gravy for the Turkey Shepherd’s Pie. Turned out great!
Thanks for the review Deb! I’m happy to hear you used this in the Shepherd’s Pie!😃
Best gravy I’ve ever had.
That’s soooo great Magnus! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review! You’re the best and I’m glad you loved the gravy!!
Can I use chicken stock instead of the broth and buillion?
Absolutely, that would be delicious Susan! 🙂
Soy was a nice change and I tried it with Italian spices, I love gravy!
So happy to hear that Daniel! I’ll have to try it with some Italian spices next time, sounds delicious!
Our ten year old boy wanted to make dinner for us tonight, bless his heart! He made a wonderful seasoned chicken, and he decided at the last minute, he wanted gravy. The chicken was done, and he needed gravy fast! We found your recipe, and it was perfect!! Thank you for good stuff, we will return for more!
Wow what a great kid, 10 years old and making dinner for the family! I think you might have a chef on your hands!👨🍳 This recipe makes things so much easier, I’m so glad you all enjoyed it!
This is excellent! Flavorful a great consistency. This was just what I was looking for!
I’m so glad you liked it Gen! I love how easy it is! Thanks so much for the review 😀
This gravy is really good. I served it for my family with
KFC fried chicken and my homemade mashed potatoes. I got a complement on the gravy from my son in law and also my daughter. This will be my go to gravy. We do not like KFC gravy.
Thanks Becky! So happy you guys liked it! I’m becoming a big fan of this one too. I’m starting to put it on everything lol 😋. Thanks so much for the review!
I’ve made your recipes before so I knew this would be great, but somehow it was still EVEN BETTER than I expected! So easy too, I can’t believe I used to use those packets of powder. Never again! Thanks for another great recipe, Stephanie!
That’s great news Rebecca, I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe and some of my others, what a wonderful compliment! Thank you! -Stephanie
You forgot to put how much of everything on your recipe on Pinterest
Hi Colette, I intentionally left the quantities off of Pinterest and instead provided a link to the full written recipe. There is a lot of information on my site aside from ingredient quantities that I want people to be able to access. (Substitution options, using drippings, storage, what to serve this with, etc.)