No drippings? No problem! Learn how to make a mouthwatering homemade chicken gravy recipe without drippings for your favorite dishes.
Want to save this post?
Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you the latest recipes and tips every week!
Jump to:
Gravy is a delicious add-on for many recipes because it enhances the overall flavor and texture of the dish. You can pour it over mashed potatoes, drizzle it on panko chicken breast, or use it as a base for casseroles.
Whether you're cooking a last-minute meal or don't have the time to prepare a whole chicken, a chicken gravy recipe without pan drippings is essential for cooks of all levels. It's a versatile accompaniment to various dishes that adds moisture and richness.
Reasons to Love
- Convenience. It simplifies the cooking process by eliminating the need to roast chicken and collect drippings, making it a convenient option for quick and easy meals.
- Consistent flavor. By using alternative flavor enhancers like broth, herbs, and seasonings, you can achieve a consistently delicious taste.
Ingredients
You'll need some simple and flavorful ingredients to make the gravy. As an alternative to drippings, you'll need chicken stock or broth and some fat like butter.
Here's what you'll need to make homemade gravy without drippings:
- butter
- flour
- poultry seasoning
- chicken broth
- salt and pepper
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
Once you've gathered all the ingredients, grab a small pot or skillet and head to the stove. Then melt the butter over medium heat.
Once the butter is melted, stir in the flour until well combined to make a roux. Cook for 1 minute, stirring often.
Mix in the poultry seasoning.
Pour in the broth, and whisk to combine well. Simmer until thickened.
Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Hint: The mixture of flour and fat used to thicken the gravy is called a roux. When making gravy using a roux, ensure that you cook the flour in the melted butter thoroughly before adding liquids. This helps eliminate the raw flour taste, providing a rich and flavorful base for your gravy. Aim for a golden brown color in the roux, stirring continuously over medium heat, and be patient to achieve the desired depth of flavor.
Variations
There are countless ways to change the flavor profile of chicken gravy. Here are a few ideas you can try:
- Herbs and Spices - add aromatic herbs like thyme or rosemary along with seasonings such as garlic powder or onion powder.
- Vegetarian - use vegetable broth combined with a plant-based fat like olive oil to create savory vegetarian gravy.
- Vegetables - sauté a small amount of finely chopped onion, celery, or carrots in the butter before adding flour to infuse the gravy with flavor.
- Flavor enhancers - experiment with different flavor enhancers such as soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or even a splash of white wine for an added depth of flavor.
- Meat flavor - Use turkey broth for turkey gravy or beef broth for beef gravy.
These variations would all taste great over air fryer chicken legs when cooking a smaller size meal for just one or two people.
Tips
Top tip: Season your gravy carefully throughout the cooking process. Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning accordingly with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices that complement your dish.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth and unsalted butter to control the saltiness in gravy from scratch.
- Add a small amount of honey or maple syrup to counterbalance any over-saltiness in your gravy.
- Continuously stir the flour into the melted butter to ensure it cooks evenly and doesn't form lumps.
Serving suggestions
Chicken gravy without drippings pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, biscuits, or slow-cooker rice. Or, use it as a Thanksgiving gravy with a chicken and stuffing casserole for a scaled-down holiday dinner. It can also be drizzled over roasted vegetables like carrots and broccoli for added flavor.
Don't let any go to waste! Use chicken gravy as a base for a chicken pot pie filling by adding shredded chicken and mixed vegetables. Alternatively, incorporate it into shepherd's pie or stir it into soups for an extra savory kick.
Storage
If you have any leftover gravy, you can keep it keep it fresh in the refrigerator or freezer. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months.
FAQs
What thickening agent is best for gravy?
You can use either a roux or slurry as a thickening agent. A roux provides richness and flavor, while a slurry made from cornstarch or flour with cold water creates a smooth texture without added color.
What can I do if my gravy is too salty?
Add a small amount of honey or maple syrup to counterbalance any over-saltiness in your homemade gravy.
Is it okay to make ahead and reheat later?
Absolutely! Prepare the gravy ahead of time and reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving. You may need to add a little extra liquid if it thickens too much upon reheating.
Related Recipes
Do you love cozy chicken dishes? If so, here are a few more recipes you may want to try:
- Easy chicken bacon ranch casserole is always a winner at dinner.
- Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup is easy to make at home.
- Chicken Divan is a classic casserole with a creamy base.
- Buffalo chicken pasta bake has the flavor of wings without the mess.
- Chicken corn chowder is perfect for warming up on a cold day.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see more recipes.
Recipe
Chicken Gravy (No Drippings)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ½ cup chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a pot or skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour until well combined, and cook for 1 minute stirring often.
- Mix in the poultry seasoning.
- Pour in the broth, and whisk to combine well. Simmer until thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Barbara
For 2 servings, this recipe only calls for 1/2 cup of liquid, but the recipe for brown gravy calls for a full cup for the same number of servings. Is this right, or is something off?
Lisa MarcAurele
A typical serving size is about 1/4 cup so this recipe may not be as much as the one for brown gravy. This one is better suited for single servings.
Cath
Used vegetable broth and olive oil to make a vegetarian version of this gravy, and it was surprisingly rich and savory. So easy and delicious!
Celine
I added some thyme and garlic powder to the gravy for extra flavor. I also drizzled a bit of maple syrup to balance the flavors, and it added a subtle sweetness that complemented the savory notes beautifully. Super yummy and my family loved it so much!
Alice
I served this gravy with turkey and got lots of compliments. I added just a bit of mustard powder but followed the recipe as written otherwise and it was super tasty!
Isabel
This was so helpful since I was trying to make my own gravy, and I added rosemary, thyme and a bit of paprika for that extra flavor! Thanks a lot for this easy to make gravy recipe!
Rita
I used vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for this recipe but it still tasted amazing! The gravy had the perfect consistency, not too thick or too thin. It coated my mashed potatoes beautifully. Definitely a new favorite!