Slow Cooker Italian Chicken with Gravy


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Turn ordinary chicken breasts into a delicious meal with this zesty Italian chicken with gravy recipe. If there is one thing everyone can agree on, it’s no more boring chicken dinner recipes. Your family will enjoy this meal and you’ll love how easy it is to make.

Go bold with flavor with another delicious chicken recipe using store bought dressing like our Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken or Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken.

Gravy being pour over italian chicken on a white plate.
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Why you should try Italian chicken recipes like this one

Meals like chicken cacciatore or chicken Milanese are classic, great-tasting Italian chicken dishes we all love. But this awesome recipe is unique in that it gets its Italian flavor from using zesty Italian salad dressing instead of regular Italian seasoning blend or marinara sauce. The dressing instantly adds bold flavor.

You only need a few ingredients, many of which you might already have on hand for this Italian chicken recipe. There’s virtually no prep to cooking this chicken dish.

With baby carrots and a potato medley in the pot too, this is an amazing dish all cooked in the crockpot. You’ll make homemade gravy using the cooking liquids to pour over the flavorful chicken. And making the homemade gravy only takes a few minutes.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients for italian chicken on a table.
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: We used 2 pounds of chicken, which can vary between 5-8 pieces depending on weight. The cooked chicken will be pulled apart yielding plenty for your family, and possibly with leftovers too. Another recipe that uses chicken breasts if you have more is my slow cooker balsamic chicken recipe.
  • Fresh Veggies: Baby carrots and baby potatoes are cooked with the chicken, providing a hearty meal. The veggies will also soak up those delicious Italian flavors.
  • Sauce Ingredients: I used Newman’s Own brand for the Italian dressing but you can use your favorite Italian dressing or a homemade version. That along with ginger ale and soy sauce are the base for the sauce. These savory flavors help make tender chicken and flavorful gravy.
  • Cornstarch Slurry: You’ll also need cornstarch, water, and heavy cream creating the white sauce base needed for making the gravy.

Step-by-Step Directions

2 images of how to add ingedients to slow cooker for italian chicken and gravy.

Step One – Arrange chicken breasts, carrots, and baby potatoes in the bottom of the crockpot. If your potatoes are larger in size, cut them in half or quarter them.

Step Two – Pour the Italian dressing, ginger ale, and soy sauce over the chicken breast and vegetables. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours.

6 images of how to finish italian chicken and gravy in the slow cooker.

Step Three – When the cooking time is over, remove the vegetables and place them in a pot or warm bowl and set aside. Put the chicken pieces in a bowl to shred or chunk. Pour the cooking liquid into another saucepan.

Step Four – Whisk the cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl.

Step Five – Add the cornstarch slurry to the liquid seasoning mixture in the sauce pan.

Step Six – Whisk everything together and heat the gravy until thickened. You can add kosher salt and pepper if desired. Whisk continuously.

Step Seven – Combine the shredded chicken and veggies in the slow cooker to keep warm. Pour the gravy into a serving dish.

Step Eight – Serve the juicy chicken, potatoes, and carrots topped with gravy. Enjoy!

Creamy gravy being poured over  chicken, carrots and potatoes.

What to serve with this?

  • You can’t go wrong with green beans or a simple green salad with cherry tomatoes and balsamic vinegar dressing.
  • For even more flavor, top the chicken with dried herbs and sun dried tomatoes. And who wouldn’t love a little mozzarella cheese or parmesan cheese?
  • Crusty garlic bread made from either Italian or French loaves is always a favorite.
plate of chicken, potatoes and gravy.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different cut of chicken?

Yes. Instead of using boneless skinless chicken breasts, you can use chicken thighs.

How do I create more gravy?

You can easily create more chicken by adding chicken broth or chicken stock to create more liquid.

Can I put frozen chicken in the slow cooker?

No. To make sure the chicken is fully cooked, allow it to defrost completely before adding it to the slow cooker. You’ll want to make sure the chicken reaches the right internal temperature and it will cook faster than if you try to cook it from frozen.

What other seasonings can I use in this recipe?

Fresh basil, garlic powder, fresh garlic, fresh parsley, and olive oil make great additions to the flavor of the Italian seasoning.

What if I don’t have a slow cooker?

You can turn this into a baked chicken recipe by using a Dutch oven.

How do I store leftover Italian chicken?

Put any leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve it again, heat it up over medium high heat until warmed throughout.

Can I use an air fryer?

No. Since you’re cooking with liquid, you’ll need to use a baking dish or crock pot.

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plate of chicken, potatoes and gravy.

Italian Chicken with Gravy

5 from 10 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Turn ordinary chicken into flavorful Italian chicken with dressing, soy sauce, and ginger ale. Add baby potatoes and carrots for a complete meal.

Ingredients  

  • 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 lb. baby carrots
  • 1.5 lbs. baby potatoes
  • 1 ½ cups Italian dressing, (I use Newman's brand)
  • 1 cup ginger ale soda
  • 2 Tbsp. soy sauce

Add at the end:

  • 3 Tbsp. corn starch
  • 3 Tbsp. water
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions 

  • Add the chicken, carrots and baby potaotes to the slow cooker. If your potatoes are on the larger size, cut them in half or quarter them.
  • Pour over the Italian dressing, ginger ale and soy sauce.
  • Cook on low for 7 hours.
  • When the cooking time is over, over a strainer, drain off all the liquid into a sauce pan.
  • Whisk the cornstarch and cold water together in small bowl. Add to the cooking liquid to the sauce pan.
  • Add the heavy cream also to the sauce pan. Heat the gravy until thicken, add salt and pepper if desired. Whisk continuously.
  • Serve the chicken, potaotes, and carrots topped with the gravy. Enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 995mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 10763IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 54mg | 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!

Adapted from Dutch Oven Daddy

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Recipe Rating




13 Comments

  1. Elizabeth Mulgrew says:

    5 stars
    This is one of those rare recipes that are like gold nuggets to me in that they have few ingredients that you have readily to hand, are easy to prepare, use the convenient slow cooker (I like getting dinner going at mid day with little fuss – just decreases stress at the end of the day), and TASTES SO GOOD! The gravy is super! Thanks Magical Slow Cooker!

  2. Karen says:

    Can coconut milk be used in place of heavy cream

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I don’t know how that would taste without testing, I apologize.

  3. Shawna Sunseri says:

    5 stars
    This recipe was easy and delicious. The gravy made it different from anything I’ve had before. I never put Italian dressing and ginger ale together, but it sure does work. Thank you!

  4. Alli says:

    I would like to have more gravy.
    How much chicken broth?
    At what stage do I add broth?
    Thank you!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You can add an entire can of chicken broth at the beginning.

  5. lee shafer says:

    can you use chicken thighs?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, chicken thighs will work well!

  6. Rhona says:

    Iโ€™m looking for slow cooker recipes that I can prepare and freeze and take to my 97 year old mother who lives on her own that I can put into small containers put in her freezer and she can thaw and heat a meal for her supper in the microwave. She still does her own breakfasts and lunches on her own.

  7. Debby Snyder says:

    Could this be done in an instant pot with frozen chicken? All except the gravy of course.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I think so! It has plenty of liquid.

  8. Shaun Stephens says:

    Can you make the gravy in the microwave and t I am out of propane at the moment

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I think that would work fine!