Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

Once the fall weather was upon us in Wisconsin, I was really craving some comfort food.  When I found this recipe it was perfect.  I had everything on hand and it was so easy to make.  I served this chicken and gravy over homemade mashed potatoes.  It was so good.

Chicken:

1/2 TBS olive oil

2.5 - 3 lbs chicken breasts

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp pepper

Gravy:

3 TBS butter

1/4 c. flour

1 1/2 TBS cornstarch

3 c. chicken broth, divided

1 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon

3/4 tsp garlic powder

3/4 tsp onion powder

3/4 tsp dried parsley

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried thyme

salt to taste

For the chicken, combine the salt, garlic powder, paprika and pepper in a small bowl.  Place chicken breasts on a large plate, drizzle with olive oil and then sprinkle the seasoning on both sides of each chicken breast.  Transfer the chicken breasts to a lightly greased 6 quart slow cooker.

For the gravy, in a small saucepan melt the butter over medium heat.  Whisk the flour into the butter and cook for 2 minutes.  Reduce the heat to low and slowly whisk in 2 cups of the chicken broth.  In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth.  Slowly add this mixture into the saucepan while whisking.  Add the chicken bouillon and the remaining seasonings.  Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly and continue to simmer until thickened to the consistency of gravy.  Pour over chicken in the slow cooker.

Cook on low for 4-5 hours, until the chicken is tender enough to shred.*  Shred chicken and cook on low for an additional 20 minutes.  Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

*If the gravy is too thin at this point, you can remove the chicken and transfer the gravy to a saucepan.  Remove 1 cup of the gravy and whisk in 1 TBS of additional cornstarch.  Slowly pour the 1 cup of gravy with cornstarch back into the saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for approximately 4-5 minutes to thicken. 

I used 5 lbs of chicken and made 1 1/2 recipes of the gravy. 

Source:  amysrecipebook.com

Kimberly