If you are craving a heartfelt, comforting dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, the Shredded Chicken Gravy on Mashed Potatoes Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This delightfully simple recipe brings tender, juicy shredded chicken bathed in rich, flavorful gravy over creamy mashed potatoes. It’s the kind of meal that transforms an ordinary day into a cozy dining experience, perfect for family dinners, casual get-togethers, or whenever you need a little extra comfort food magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Shredded Chicken Gravy on Mashed Potatoes Recipe lies in its straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture—from the creamy soup to the savory gravy packets and tender chicken breasts that soak it all up.
- Cream of chicken soup: Adds a rich, creamy base that enhances the gravy’s texture and flavor.
- Water: Essential for thinning out the soup and gravy mix to the perfect consistency.
- Chicken gravy mix packets: Infuse the dish with that classic savory gravy taste everyone loves.
- Chicken breasts (about 2 lbs): The star protein—when slow-cooked, they shred beautifully and soak up all those gravy flavors.
- Instant mashed potatoes: The ideal creamy, buttery bed for our delicious shredded chicken and gravy.
- Garlic powder, salt, and pepper: Basic seasonings that boost and balance the entire dish’s flavor.
How to Make Shredded Chicken Gravy on Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Gravy Base
Start by mixing the cream of chicken soup, water, and chicken gravy mix packets in your crockpot. Stir these ingredients until they’re well combined. This creates the creamy, flavorful gravy that will soak into the chicken and later coat the mashed potatoes perfectly.
Step 2: Season and Add Chicken
Take your chicken breasts and sprinkle them with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. These simple seasonings elevate the natural flavor of the chicken and complement the savory gravy. Nestle the seasoned chicken breasts into the crockpot, making sure they are fully submerged in the gravy mixture—this ensures the meat cooks evenly and absorbs all that tasty sauce.
Step 3: Slow Cook Until Tender
Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours. This low-and-slow method lets the chicken become incredibly tender and easy to shred. Plus, it gives those gravy flavors time to fully develop and infuse the meat.
Step 4: Shred the Chicken
Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and use two forks to shred them into bite-sized pieces. This shredding step is my favorite because it transforms the chicken into a lovely, rustic texture that mixes so wonderfully with the gravy.
Step 5: Combine Shredded Chicken and Gravy
Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and stir gently to coat every tender piece in the luscious gravy. This step melts the flavors together, making sure each bite is juicy and flavorful.
Step 6: Make the Mashed Potatoes
Prepare the instant mashed potatoes according to the package instructions, usually just adding butter and hot water. The creamy, buttery potatoes are essential—they provide the perfect base that soaks up the chicken gravy like a dream.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Finally, spoon a generous portion of the shredded chicken gravy over a fluffy scoop of mashed potatoes. This dish is best enjoyed hot and fresh, with the savory gravy pooling over the soft potatoes for an unforgettable comfort food experience.
How to Serve Shredded Chicken Gravy on Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a little something extra on top can make this dish feel special. Chopped fresh parsley or chives sprinkle on a pop of color and freshness that cuts through the richness. For a touch of indulgence, a few crispy fried onions add delightful crunch and flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
The beauty of this recipe is that it can hold its own as a full meal, but if you want to round it out, consider some roasted veggies like carrots and green beans. A crisp side salad with a tangy vinaigrette will also brighten up the plate and balance the creaminess of the main dish beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the shredded chicken gravy on mashed potatoes in individual bowls topped with a drizzle of gravy on the sides for a restaurant-style look. You can also layer the components in a casserole dish, alternating mashed potatoes and shredded chicken gravy, then baking it lightly to create a golden crust on top—pure comfort heaven!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, no worries. Transfer the shredded chicken and gravy to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, making the dish even more delicious the next day.
Freezing
This recipe freezes wonderfully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Just leave the mashed potatoes to be made fresh when you’re ready to enjoy the meal again, as they taste best fresh but can also be frozen separately if needed.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm the shredded chicken and gravy gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Warm your mashed potatoes separately, then plate and serve just like fresh!
FAQs
Can I use fresh gravy instead of store-bought packets?
Absolutely! Homemade gravy can add fantastic depth, but the packets are a great time-saver without sacrificing flavor. You can customize your gravy with pan drippings or chicken broth if you prefer a fresher taste.
Is it possible to use dark meat chicken instead of breasts?
Yes, dark meat like thighs works wonderfully for this recipe. They tend to be more flavorful and juicy, and they shred just as easily, making your shredded chicken gravy even richer.
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?
You can, but it will require simmering on low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the chicken is tender enough to shred. The crockpot method is more convenient and infuses the flavors deeply with minimal attention needed.
What can I add to mashed potatoes to make them extra creamy?
Adding a bit of cream cheese, sour cream, or extra butter can turn your instant mashed potatoes into super creamy, silky clouds. A touch of garlic powder or roasted garlic also complements the gravy beautifully.
Can I substitute fresh potatoes for instant mashed potatoes?
Yes! Fresh potatoes mashed with butter, cream, or milk make an excellent base too. Just keep in mind that this will take longer than instant potatoes, but the homemade version is delightfully fresh and fluffy.
Final Thoughts
This Shredded Chicken Gravy on Mashed Potatoes Recipe is one of those timeless dishes that never fails to deliver pure comfort and satisfaction. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal prepping for the week, this dish wraps you in cozy flavors with every bite. Trust me, once you try it, it will quickly become a cherished favorite that you’ll want to make again and again.
Print
Shredded Chicken Gravy on Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A comforting and easy-to-make shredded chicken gravy served over creamy instant mashed potatoes. This recipe uses a slow cooker to simmer tender chicken breasts in a rich chicken gravy mixture, resulting in a hearty dish perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Gravy and Chicken
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 cans water (use the soup cans for measurement)
- 2 packets chicken gravy mix
- 2 packs chicken breast (approximately 2 lbs)
- Garlic powder, salt, and pepper (to taste)
Mashed Potatoes
- Instant mashed potatoes (prepared as per package instructions with butter)
Instructions
- Prepare the Gravy Base: In a crockpot, combine the cream of chicken soup, water, and chicken gravy packets. Stir well to mix all ingredients thoroughly.
- Season and Add Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the crockpot, making sure they are fully submerged in the gravy mixture.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the crockpot and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and absorb the flavors.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Shredded Chicken and Gravy: Return the shredded chicken back to the crockpot and stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the gravy.
- Prepare Mashed Potatoes: Prepare the instant mashed potatoes according to the package instructions, adding butter for creaminess.
- Serve: Spoon a hearty portion of the shredded chicken and gravy over a scoop of the prepared mashed potatoes and serve hot.
Notes
- For a thicker gravy, you can cook on high for 4-5 hours instead of low for 7-8 hours.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or garlic powder as desired before serving.
- Fresh mashed potatoes can be substituted if preferred instead of instant.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
