WW Recipe of the Day: Easy Slow Cooker Chicken & Gravy
I got the idea for this easy slow cooker chicken and gravy from The Magical Slow Cooker, where Sarah cooked 1 pound of chicken breasts in a simple gravy for 8 to 10 hours on LOW.
I loved the idea, but realized I would need to do a little tweaking to make this slow cooker chicken and gravy work for me. And I also needed to determine the nutritional and Weight Watchers *Points realities.
How Many Calories/Points in this Slow Cooker Chicken with Gravy?
According to my calculations, each serving of the crock pot chicken and gravy (4 ounces chicken + ¼ cup gravy) has 228 calories and:
3 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
2 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
2 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
6 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!
Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy Recipe Notes
As a longtime Weight Watcher, I tend to think of gravy as "fattening." And I'd never really paid attention to how low in fat gravy mixes are.
According the the nutrition details on the gravy mix packages, I used McCormick (affiliate link), each quarter cup serving has just 20 calories, 0.5 g fat, 4 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0 g protein, *1 WW PointsPlus, *1 WW SmartPoint.
I used Campbell's Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup, which is lower in fat and sodium. And decided to cook 2 pounds of chicken breasts so we could have plenty of leftovers.
For those opposed to the whole "cream of chicken soup and packaged gravy" thing, you could always cook the chicken breasts in 2 cups of chicken broth until tender, shred the meat and make your own gravy right in the slow cooker, which should take about 15 minutes on HIGH. 🙂
This recipe for easy slow cooker chicken and gravy is really tasty. Served with mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce, it was a big hit. But, there's not much that makes my husband or me happier than mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner!
Tomorrow night, I'll use the leftovers to make open-faced hot chicken and gravy sandwiches. And serve them with cranberry sauce and a mixed green salad.
I love the whole cook once, eat twice concept. It makes life in the kitchen so much easier!
My 4-Quart slow cooker (affiliate link) must cook "hot" because my chicken breasts were done in way less than 8 to 10 hours.
I cooked mine on LOW for about 4 hours and then flipped the switch to WARM. If they had cooked 8 to 10 hours, I'm afraid they would have been really tough and stringy.
Already, I can see the need to invest in a programmable slow cooker (affiliate link) for those days I'm not here to flip the switch to warm manually 🙂
This easy slow cooker chicken and gravy is a real keeper for when we are wanting a comfort food fix.
How to Thicken Watery Gravy?
A few commenters have posted that their gravy turned out too thin and watery. Even with simple recipes results can vary depending on so many things including ingredients, kind of slow cooker and cooking time.
These days many producers inject chicken with a 15% or more solution of saline and water or chicken broth. The amount can be even higher if using pieces of individual quick frozen chicken.
So some chicken will result in releasing more water during cooking than others. You'll also get more water released if the chicken was still frozen, or partially frozen.
The good news is that too thin gravy is a pretty easy fix. This article from Real Simple provides great tips/techniques for thickening too thin gravy.
Enjoy!
Are You Ready To Slow Cook Yourself Slim?
If you like this lightened up slow-cooked chicken and gravy, be sure to check out my other easy, healthy Weight Watchers friendly slow cooker recipes including WW Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala, 3-Ingredient Creamy Italian Chicken, Skinny & Delicious Southwestern Slow Cooker Chicken, Lightened Up Slow Cooker Beef & Mushrooms and Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs Osso Buco
If you've made this Slow Cooked Chicken with Gravy, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken & Gravy Recipe Made Lighter
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5-6 ounces each, about 2 pounds total)
- 2 packages chicken gravy mix (I used McCormick)
- 1 can (10-¾ ounces) low-fat, low-sodium cream of chicken soup (I used Campbell's Healthy Request)
- 2 cups water
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Ideal slow cooker size: 4-Quart.
- Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, mix together the dry gravy mix, soup, water and pepper with a whisk until the gravy is as smooth as you can get it.
- Pour the gravy mixture over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on LOW for about 4 hours, until the chicken registers 165 on an instant read meat thermometer (affiliate link) stuck into the center of the breasts.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, brown rice or toast, if desired.
Recipe Notes
*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.
Here's another way to make crock pot chicken and gravy:
More Weight Watchers Friendly Crock Pot Recipes
- Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy (SkinnyTaste)
- Crock Pot Beef Stew (LaaLoosh)
- Slow Cooker Sweet & Tangy Chicken (EmilyBites)
- Salisbury Steak Meatballs (SkinnyTaste)
- Slow Cooker Beef Tips & Gravy over Mashed Potatoes (MealPlanningMommies)
- Turkey Meatball Stroganoff (SkinnyTaste)
Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.
A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.
She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
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Velinda Corcoran
This is a family favorite! I use a can of low sodium chicken broth instead of the cream soup though. It's wonderful!
Martha McKinnon
Thanks, Velinda! Appreciate you taking the time to comment!!
Robert Schutz
Just found your website. I have been thinking about utilizing my Saladmaster MP5 to make crockpot WW recipes. Really appreciate the work you are putting into this. Maybe you should sell a cookbook to WW. Plan to really utilize your recipes.
Becca
Have this in the crockpot now! Sooo excited to try it! Just started weight watchers again last week and was looking for some different recipes then I used a few years ago when I did it.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Becca,
Congrats on your return to Weight Watchers. Hope you like the chicken and gravy as much as we do!!
Becca
Had to come back and tell you this was GREAT! A little bland for me, but my family GOBBLED it up! Including my crazy-picky-won't-eat-anything-6-year old!!! So THANK YOU! She even asked to take it for lunch tomorrow! 🙂
Kimber
I am making this for the second time today. Using the low sodium gravy mix, cuts down on the sodium and still keeps the taste. To change this up a bit, I used home made chicken stock instead of water and added a package of thawed mixed vegetables after I shredded the chicken and let it simmer for another hour in the crock pot. For the non WW members of my house, I am serving it over biscuits. This is a great recipe and a keeper.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Kimber,
Love the idea of homemade chicken stock and adding a package of thawed mixed vegetables at the end! By doing this you turn this easy chicken and gravy into a one-pot meal, which is always a good thing 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to comment!!
Joann
Hi Martha, Just saw your recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy. I have been making something like this for years. I just use chicken breast or the tenders and like 4 cans of cream of chicken soup let cook on low for 4 - 6 hrs.. Serve over egg noodles and either stuffing or green beans, sooooooooooooo good. I do want to try it with the gravy packets, sounds really good. Thanks so much.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Joann. Your version sounds yummy too!! Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂
Melissa
Hi, I am very new to the idea of WW and I am wondering what we are supposed to eat with this and how do I find the point calculations for it? *This recipe looks delicious!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Melissa,
With the Weight Watchers plan, it is totally up to you what you want to eat with this easy slow cooker chicken and gravy. One serving of the chicken and gravy (4 ounces of chicken and 1/4 cup gravy) has 6 Points Plus. Then you would just look up the Points Plus value of whatever you decide to eat with it. You could put it on a slice of whole grain toast (1 - 2 PointsPlus). 1/2 cup mashed potatoes has 3 PointsPlus. 1 cup of brown rice has 4. And then you could eat salad and veggies. I love green beans and broccoli. And as you know, on Weight Watchers most raw and cooked nonstarchy veggies have a points plus value of 0!! Hope this helps.
Jackie
Does the cook time change if I use Perdue fit and easy thin chicken cutlets? Also, when you finished cooking, did you shred the chicken or just eat as is? Thank you in advance!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Jackie, I've never tried it with Perdue Fit and Easy Chicken Cutlets. If they are smaller/thinner they may cook faster and be done sooner. You may want to check at 3 hours to see if they are cooked/tender. You can either shred the chicken or eat it as is, whatever you prefer. Hope this helps.
amanda
Hi,
I am just a tad confused as to how to measure recipe. if the chicken and gravy are mixed, how am i to make sure I only get 1/4 cup gravy, which isnt alot? or do I not shred my chicken?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Amanda, I would just use a slotted spoon to weigh out my chicken and then measure out a 1/4-cup of gravy. The gravy
is surprisingly low in fat and calories, so if you get a little extra it shouldn't effect the points plus. Hope this helps.
Jason
I made this exactly as described and also had a problem with the mix being very watery. It's too cold to go out for anything to thicken it up, but I do have some potatoes. I'm going to boil and mash 'em and see if they absorb the soup (gravy).
Martha McKinnon
Hi Jason, sorry to hear that, though I think your idea to use mashed potatoes to sop up your thin gravy is brilliant 🙂
Stephanie
Hello There! I thought I'd chime in to share that I used frozen chicken breasts in a pressure cooker and it came out great. I mixed up the other ingredients and poured it in first then added the chicken and set it on manual setting for 20 minutes. After it's done, you just have to shred the chicken, add it back to the pot and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes before it's done. Next time I'm going to add large pieces of potato and see how it turns out. Really yummy stuff on a cold day!
Martha McKinnon
Hi Stephanie, Thanks so much for chiming in and sharing your variation with the pressure cooker. I just got an Instant Pot 7-in-1 cooker this year but haven't used it much for pressure cooking yet! Love the idea of being able to make dinner in 30 minutes or less!!
Jen Griffin
This was easy and delicious! I will definitely make it again. I shared the recipe with my cousin and she called to thank me and let me know it's a keeper!
Martha McKinnon
Thanks for letting me know Jen! So glad you liked it!!
GLADYS FACKLER
Wondering if you could drop in some dumplings? Make it an even more comfort food 🙂
Martha McKinnon
Hi Gladys, Absolutely love the idea of dropping in a few dumplings!
Tracy
I made this last night, halved the recipe. Very simple,easy comfort food. My husband and I really liked it as is, but I think next time I'll brown the chicken and shredded carrots and celery. There's defiantly another time! Thanks for tasty easy recipe!'
Martha McKinnon
Hi Tracy, glad you liked it. Love your ideas for adding shredded carrots and celery.
Kim
I made this last night for dinner and it was delicious. Thanks for such an easy and delicious recipe.
Diana
I want to make this for dinner, but with only 2 chicken breast. Do I just cut the ingredients in half, like 1 cup water instead and 1 package gravey.
Martha McKinnon
Hi Diana, Yes, I believe cutting the other ingredients in half would work fine.
Debra
Hello Martha, thought I would share with you something I learned long time ago. A TRUE slow cooker has a dial that goes from 1-5 and does not cook as fast and hot as a crock pot. I so much more prefer a slow cooker for that reason. Another plus is it does not burn food on the bottom, as it does not boil until it is turned up to 4 or 5; most recipes recommend cooking on 2 1/2. I have owned one for over 40 yrs and LOVE it!!! It would solve your problem of cooking it all day while you are away. If this is not helpful, then simply ignore it....I will not be offended. ?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Debra, I'm not familiar with a cooker with a 1-5 dial. Can you recommend one?
Debra
By the way, I've heard this recipe is fabulous, so I can't wait to try it!!! ??
Rebecca Mccloud
Tasted good, but adjusted water to 1 1/2 cups and it still turned out way too watery. IF I make again, will not add water at all.
Pam Steuart
Love this! Need to thicken gravy.
When I created the recipe in the WW app, it shows 2 freestyle points.
McCormick chicken gravy mix - 4 pts
Healthy Choice low sodium cream of chicken - 5 pts
Do I have the wrong chicken soup?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Pam, I think I used Campbell's Healthy Soup in the WW Recipe Builder.
Sarah
I just made this. It's thin and watery not at all thick like gravy. I used what it said and the same exact brand even. Disappointing
Martha McKinnon
Hi Sarah,
Sorry your gravy turned out watery. Even with simple recipes results can vary depending on so many things including ingredients, kind of slow cooker and cooking time. These days many producers inject chicken with a 15% or more solution of saline and water or chicken broth. The amount can be even higher if using pieces of individual quick frozen chicken. So some chicken will result in releasing more water during cooking than others. You'll also get more water released if the chicken was still frozen or partially frozen.
The good news is that too thin gravy is a pretty easy fix. This article from Real Simple provides great tips/techniques for thickening too thin gravy: https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/how-to-thicken-gravy.
Kaylynn
Can you cook this in the oven? If so how long and what temp?
Martha McKinnon
Hi Kaylynn, I haven't tried this in the oven. If you do, please let us know how it turns out!!