Slow Cooker Chicken with Bacon Gravy


272 Comments


This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Made with chicken breasts, crispy bacon, and chicken gravy mix, this Slow Cooker Chicken with Bacon Gravy is a delicious, one-pot substitute for a restaurant-style dinner. It’s packed with so much flavor, that your family is sure to request this comfort food more often.

Serve this delicious meal alongside a generous helping of Slow Cooker Sour Cream and Onion Mashed Potatoes and Slow Cooker Green Beans.

chicken with gravy with bacon with spoon in it.

Why you should try this chicken with creamy bacon gravy recipe

You may have seen my other recipe for slow cooker chicken and gravy. It has always been a great basic recipe for adding extra ingredients to, but never bacon. The idea for this recipe came to me when I had a delicious crispy breaded chicken with bacon gravy the other night at our favorite restaurant.

Although I can’t do crispy chicken in the slow cooker, I sure can do the chicken and bacon gravy! I’ve found this chicken and gravy recipe to be super easy to make, especially with minimal ingredients. The prep time is quick and the cooking time is perfect for yielding fork tender chicken. My family loved this restaurant-style rendition of smothered chicken with creamy gravy – yours will too!

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for chicken with bacon gravy on a table with text of what the ingredients are.
  • Chicken Breasts: Boneless skinless chicken breasts are the best option to use for this recipe both for cooking evenly and shredding easily.
  • Chicken Gravy: You’ll need two packets of chicken gravy dry mix.
  • Bacon: Sliced and cooked.
  • Seasonings: Pepper, dried thyme, and minced garlic (or garlic powder) are the only seasonings you need for an amazing taste.
  • Water: Mixed with the chicken gravy.
  • Heavy Cream: This is added at the end as a thickening agent. You can use light cream or even half and half.

Step-by-Step Directions

3 images showing how to add chicken, bacon and gravy mix into a slow cooker.

Step One – Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Sprinkle over the pepper, thyme, garlic, and cooked crispy bacon.

Step Two – In a small bowl mix together the gravy mix packet and the 1¼ cup water until smooth.

Step Three – Pour the gravy over the chicken.

3 images showing chicken being shredded, cream being added and the finished dish in the slow cooker.

Step Four – Cover and cook on HIGH for 3.5 hours or on LOW for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time. When the cooking time is done, shred the chicken with 2 forks.

Step Five – Add the heavy cream.

Step Six – Give everything a good stir and serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or a side of your choice. Enjoy!

chicken in a creamy bacon gravy with a metal spoon in it.

How to serve

  • This delicious chicken and gravy can be served over a bed of rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles.
  • If you want to pair it with sides, I recommend green beans, roasted carrots, or a baked potato.
chicken and gravy with bacon on top of rice.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs in this recipe?

Yes. Just make sure they are boneless and skinless for the best results.

Will the gravy thicken by itself?

Yes. The gravy thickens during the cooking process. If you want it thicker, you can make a thickening slurry with flour and water or milk. Add the flour mixture after or with the heavy cream.

How do I store leftovers?

Place any remaining chicken and gravy in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to re-enjoy the leftovers, they can be warmed up over medium heat. This meal can also be frozen.

Can I use frozen chicken breast? If so, how much longer should I let it cook?

I don’t advise on frozen chicken for some studies suggest that it isn’t safe.

Can I cook this in an Instant Pot?

I have not personally tried it, but a reader did, and this is what she said: “I did the recipe as normal, on high pressure for 7 mins, and it came out fine! Not quite as flavourful as when done in the slow cooker but definitely a great option for when you need it in a hurry!”

Chicken, gravy, rice and broccoli on a plate.
chicken with bacon gravy in a slow cooker on a spoon.

Slow Cooker Chicken with Bacon Gravy

4.74 from 23 votes
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 4
Tender chicken breasts cooked in a chicken bacon gravy.
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

How to Video

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 1/2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 6 slices bacon, sliced and cooked
  • 1.74 oz. chicken gravy dry mix packets, (2 PACKETS that are .87 oz. each)
  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream, ADD AT THE END

Instructions 

  • Add the chicken to the slow cooker. Sprinkle over the pepper, thyme, garlic and bacon.
  • In a small bowl mix together the gravy mix packet and the 1¼ cup water until smooth. Pour the gravy over the chicken.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 3.5 hours or on LOW for 6 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • When the cooking time is done, add the heavy cream. Shred the chicken with 2 forks and give everything a gentle stir until the gravy and the cream are mixed.
  • Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
  • Enjoy!

Sarah’s Notes

  • Place any remaining chicken and gravy in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to re-enjoy the leftovers, they can be warmed up over medium heat. This meal can also be frozen.
  • Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts, just make sure they are boneless skinless chicken thighs.

Nutrition

Calories: 514kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 186mg | Sodium: 1056mg | Potassium: 734mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 681IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes:

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken is perfect for meal prep or adding to your favorite recipes.
Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans or Mississippi Chicken make easy, all-in-one comfort meals.

Italian Chicken and Gravy and Fiesta Chicken Casserole bring bold, satisfying flavors to the table.

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas are great for a Tex-Mex night, and a Slow Cooker Whole Chicken is always a classic.

Other recipes you may like

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




272 Comments

  1. Stephanie says:

    Any suggestions on what I can substitute for the whipping cream? I have one who is dairy free, everything else is perfect for her and I know she would love it!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Is there such thing as dairy free sour cream? Or maybe vegan sour cream. I think that would help make the gravy creamier.

  2. Traci Pospisil says:

    Making this tonight 🙂 saw your video on facebook and thought it looked yummy♡

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Great! I think you’ll love it!

  3. Audri says:

    How much heavy cream do you use?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      2/3 cup. It’s on the recipe 🙂

  4. Bronwyn Walker says:

    can this be cooked in a normal oven

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I haven’t tried, I don’t see why not though!

    2. Sarah Olson says:

      I think it could, though I have not tried. Let us know how it turns out for you!

  5. Judi Sayers says:

    Could half and half be used?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, but it won’t be as thick. Heavy cream is a lot thicker than half and half. 🙂

  6. Tena Medina says:

    Sorry I didn’t see anyone mention using frozen chicken? Would that be doable?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I would add a touch more time if it was me. Other than that I don’t see why not!

  7. Tia says:

    Trying this tonight. It sounds amazing (and smells amazing!). I tweak all recipes so to this one I sautéed some peas and carrots, in the pan that I drained the bacon grease from, then added to the crockpot about 30 minutes before we ate. Yum.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Such a great idea! I may have to try that.

  8. Ann says:

    Do you have the nutritional value for the chicken and bacon gravy recipe? It would be helpful if you could list nutritional values when you post recipes. Your recipes are always good. Thank you.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Hi Ann,
      I don’t post the nutritional values since every brand has different stats. This is high in calories and sodium for sure.

  9. Cody says:

    cooled on low for 6 hours and turned out amazing! So good!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Thanks for letting us know how it did on low for you! That’s great to hear!

  10. Leslie says:

    Hi there. Sounds great! Has anyone every added frozen veggies (broccoli or peas)? If you have or not, at what time should they be added?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Peas would only take a minute or too to thaw at the end in the gravy. Broccoli I would add the last hour and a half.

    2. Lin says:

      That sounds gooood!