01 -
First things first, pat those chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This helps them get a nice sear, which means more flavor for our Homestyle Crockpot Chicken Gravy. Season them generously with a good pinch of salt and black pepper. If you have a moment, sear them in a hot skillet with a splash of oil for 2-3 minutes per side until golden. This step adds so much depth, I promise it’s worth the extra pan to wash!
02 -
Next, thinly slice your yellow onion and mince your garlic. Lay half the sliced onion at the bottom of your crockpot. This creates a little bed for the chicken and slowly infuses the gravy with sweet, savory notes. Then, scatter a spoonful of that gorgeous minced garlic over the onions. I always think, 'is this enough garlic?' and then add a bit more. Oops, can't help myself!
03 -
Now, place your seared (or unseared, if you’re skipping that step, no judgment!) chicken thighs on top of the onions and garlic. Sprinkle the remaining onion and garlic over the chicken. Then, add your dried thyme and rosemary. The scent of these herbs already starts to fill the kitchen, signaling that something delicious is brewing. It just smells like home!
04 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and the cream of chicken soup until smooth. You want to get rid of any lumps here, so whisk well! Pour this creamy mixture evenly over the chicken and aromatics in the crockpot. This forms the base of our luscious Homestyle Crockpot Chicken Gravy. Don't forget to scrape out all the good stuff from the bowl!
05 -
Cover your crockpot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. The chicken should be fall-apart tender when it's ready. You'll know it's done when you can easily shred it with two forks. The whole house will smell amazing by now, trust me, it's a test of patience but so worth it!
06 -
Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the crockpot and shred it. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the gravy in the crockpot and cook on HIGH for another 15-20 minutes, or until the gravy has thickened to your liking. Return the shredded chicken to the thickened Homestyle Crockpot Chicken Gravy, stir, and serve! It's pure magic.