Crockpot Chicken & Gravy

### Instructions:

#### 1. **Prepare the Chicken**:
Start by placing the **boneless, skinless chicken breasts** (or thighs) in the bottom of your **Crockpot**. There’s no need to sear the chicken beforehand; the slow cooker will do the work to keep it juicy and tender. Season the chicken with a pinch of **salt** and **pepper** to taste. You can also add a bit of garlic powder if you like more flavor.

#### 2. **Add the Soup and Gravy Mix**:
In a bowl, combine the **cream of chicken soup**, **brown gravy mix**, and **water** (or chicken broth if you want more flavor). Stir everything together until the gravy mix is fully dissolved and well-combined. Then, pour the mixture over the chicken in the Crockpot.

#### 3. **Optional Flavor Boost**:
If you want to take the flavor up a notch, add the **ranch dressing mix** to the gravy mixture. This gives the dish a nice tang and extra depth of flavor. You can also add a few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary if you have them on hand for a more aromatic touch.

#### 4. **Slow Cook**:
Cover the Crockpot and set it to cook on **low** for **6-7 hours** or **high** for **3-4 hours**, depending on your time and the size of your chicken breasts. The chicken will cook slowly and become incredibly tender as it soaks in the rich gravy.

#### 5. **Shred the Chicken**:
Once the cooking time is up, remove the chicken from the Crockpot. It should be so tender that it falls apart easily. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then return it to the slow cooker, stirring it into the gravy to soak up all the delicious flavors.

#### 6. **Serve**:
Serve the **Crockpot Chicken & Gravy** over mashed potatoes, rice, or even noodles. This dish is perfect for soaking up all that rich, creamy gravy. Garnish with fresh herbs like **parsley** or **thyme** for a pop of color and added flavor.

### Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

1. **Effortless Cooking**: With the Crockpot doing all the work, you can prepare the meal in the morning and come home to a delicious, ready-to-eat dinner. This recipe requires very little hands-on time, making it a fantastic option for busy days.

2. **Tender, Juicy Chicken**: The slow cooking process ensures that the chicken stays moist and tender, breaking down to perfection and making it easy to shred.

3. **Rich, Flavorful Gravy**: The creamy gravy made from the **cream of chicken soup** and **brown gravy mix** is the perfect accompaniment to the chicken. It’s comforting, savory, and so delicious, especially when paired with mashed potatoes or rice.

4. **Versatile and Customizable**: This recipe is a great base that you can easily customize. Add vegetables like **carrots**, **potatoes**, or **onions** to the Crockpot for a one-pot meal. You can also adjust the seasoning, add extra herbs, or experiment with different gravy mixes to suit your taste.

5. **Perfect for Meal Prep**: This recipe makes plenty of servings, so it’s ideal for meal prepping. You can easily store leftovers in the fridge for a couple of days, or freeze them for a future meal.

### Tips for the Best Crockpot Chicken & Gravy:

– **Use chicken thighs**: If you prefer dark meat, **chicken thighs** work wonderfully in this recipe and tend to stay even juicier than breasts.

– **Thicken the gravy**: If you prefer a thicker gravy, you can mix a tablespoon of **cornstarch** with a little water and stir it into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

– **Add veggies**: For a more complete meal, add chopped **carrots**, **potatoes**, or **celery** to the Crockpot at the beginning of cooking. The vegetables will soak up the gravy and add extra flavor and nutrition.

– **Make it spicy**: Add a pinch of **cayenne pepper** or a few dashes of **hot sauce** to give the dish a little kick.

– **Serve with sides**: This dish is great when paired with a side of **roasted vegetables**, a simple green salad, or buttery **dinner rolls** to soak up all that gravy.

### Conclusion:
**Crockpot Chicken & Gravy** is one of those comforting meals that makes dinner feel effortless and indulgent. The combination of tender chicken and rich, savory gravy is pure comfort food, and with the slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting, you’ll have a meal that’s both easy and delicious. Perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or even meal prep, this dish is sure to become a staple in your cooking repertoire. Enjoy!