Restless Chipotle

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×
Home » Recipes » Easy Dinners

Herbed Baked Chicken with Cream Gravy

Published: Sep 27, 2022 · Updated: Jun 4, 2023 by Marye

Tender chicken breast flavored with herbs is baked then smothered in smooth country style gravy
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
Feature image chicken and gravy in a casserole dish.
Overhead view of chicken in casserole dish with text overlay for Pinterest.

Get ready for old fashioned comfort food, Southern style!

Overhead view of the chicken covered in gravy in a white casserole dish.
Table of Contents
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 🥄 Equipment
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • Super tender, juicy chicken every single time
  • Easy homemade chicken gravy has rich flavor from pan drippings
  • Comfort food to the max—but with minimal cooking time

This herbed oven-baked chicken is one of those easy recipes that tastes satisfying, hearty, and full of home-cooked love. It's a true family favorite for busy weeknights—easy on mom, and irresistible to everyone!

The gravy is a type of basic cream sauce but it adds so much flavor!

If you're the daring type you might like to take Sunday dinner to a new level with this cranberry chicken, next time.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled Ingredients for Chicken and Gravy.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Collage of images showing how to make this recipe.
  1. Season chicken and dot with butter. Bake.
  2. Melt drippings and butter then whisk in flour.
  3. Whisk in milk.
  4. Simmer until thick and smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

🥫 Storage

This delicious herb-baked chicken recipe isn't just good for a single night—it makes great leftovers, too.

Pack up the chicken breasts into an airtight container. A single layer is best to preserve the herby crust, but it's fine to layer them, too.

Refrigerate the chicken for four to five days, or freeze it for up to three months. Let it thaw (if frozen) then just use the microwave to warm it up!

You can also store the brown gravy, but I'd do so separately from the chicken. Pour any remaining room-temperature gravy into an airtight container and refrigerate for two or three days at the most. Otherwise, freeze it for a few months.

To rewarm the gravy, let it thaw in the fridge if frozen. Then, place it in a small pan and warm it over low heat, stirring occasionally.

Tongs holding up a piece of finished chicken.

📖 Variations

  • You can make this herb-baked chicken recipe with pork chops. Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the chops reach at least 145 degrees F (the cooking time may be less than chicken.)
  • Instead of boneless skinless breasts, experiment with your favorite dark meat cuts or boneless chicken thighs.
  • Using skin-on chicken? If you have a few minutes, you can sear it in a few tablespoons of hot oil, first, for extra crispy skin.
  • Use an Italian seasoning blend for extra simple prep.
  • Or, chop up fresh herbs for a more flavorful finish.
  • Feel free to swap the garlic powder for onion powder, if you prefer.
  • You can add diced onions to the butter (in the gravy portion of the recipe) and then proceed as written to make a tasty onion gravy!
  • Accidentally toss your chicken drippings? No worries—use some chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth instead.

If you don't have chicken on hand why not try these fried pork chops and gravy.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: You don't need to add olive oil or any grease to the pan before baking. The chicken will release juices that will prevent it from sticking. Doesn't hurt to give it a spritz of cooking spray.

  • Always pat chicken dry with a paper towel before cooking with it.
  • Sometimes you can buy pre-packaged mixed bunches of fresh herbs in the grocery store. The great thing about that is you get a variety of herb flavors, without needing to spend a ton of money.
  • Scrape the bottom of the pan well to get all the browned bits of chicken drippings out. This is what adds the most flavor to your delicious gravy.
  • Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Larger chicken pieces will take longer to bake than smaller ones.
  • If you don't have a kitchen thermometer, baking is done when the juices of the chicken run clear (rather than pink or red.) However, this method is trickier, not as accurate as measuring by temperature, and often results in drier meat.
  • Let the milk and half and half come to room temperature while the chicken cooks. Avoid adding ice-cold milk to the gravy mixture.
  • Don't hold back on the black pepper. Fresh-cracked is even better!
  • This gravy recipe is fabulous on mashed potatoes and green beans, too, so don't skip it and you'll have a complete meal! Don't ya' just love easy dinners?!

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Is this similar to smothered chicken?

Sort of. Smothered chicken usually refers to a style of cooking where the meat is simmered or braised in the cooking liquid. This easy baked chicken recipe isn't cooked with gravy. However, you can still smother your chicken in it, once both components are finished! Yum!

I like quick meals—what are some good side dishes that I can make in just a few minutes?

Buy some frozen vegetables and microwave mashed potatoes! Or, serve the herb-baked chicken with minute rice and steamed broccoli.

Can I make herb baked chicken, but in a slow cooker?

You can, but I don't totally recommend it. Boneless chicken breasts will cook on low in about eight hours, but the herb-butter topping won't get as crispy. The flavors will still taste great, though!

Overhead view of chicken on a plate.

📚 Related recipes

  • If you crave comfort food with no effort, this Crockpot Smothered Chicken is for you! Creamy sauce, tender chicken—and two thumbs up.
  • Creamy Lemon Chicken also has a creamy sauce but it's tangy with lemon flavor, too.
  • Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken comes out of the oven or air fryer golden brown, crunchy, and full of herbal flavor. Easy enough for weeknight dinners, but tasty enough to impress guests!
  • Creamy chicken lazone is quick and easy - we love it with pasta.
  • Tender beef tips simmer in a homemade gravy made with red wine and poblano and guijillo peppers—this Beef Tips and Gravy is a must-try!
  • If you love this you're bound to want to try this crockpot angel chicken recipe!
  • French Onion Chicken Bake has tender chicken and a crispy French onion coating in every bite.
  • Overhead view of finished crockpot chicken bog in the crockpot.
    Crockpot Chicken Bog
  • An iron skillet filled with the finished Alfredo Chicken Ravioli.
    Chicken Alfredo Ravioli
  • chicken strips dipped in bbq sauce.
    Copycat Popeye's Chicken Strips
  • Closeup of finished crescent rolls for feature image.
    Chicken Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls

🍽️ Serve with...

  • Red Skin Mashed Potatoes or Candied Yams with Marshmallows
  • Italian Green Bean Salad
  • Double Chocolate Coca-Cola Cake or pumpkin spice cake.
  • Apple Cider Sangria

📞 The last word

This is a southern Sunday dinner classic! We used to have it served with fried cabbage, biscuits, green beans... all the good stuff!

You may also like this chicken pot pie skillet with biscuits. So easy!

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Feature image chicken and gravy in a casserole dish.

Herbed Baked Chicken with Cream Gravy

4.50 from 8 votes
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved! Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Tender chicken breast flavored with herbs is baked then smothered in smooth country style gravy
Course Dinner (quick and easy)
Cuisine Amercian Heritage
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings:6
Calories:504
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds chicken breasts
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ancho chile
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons drippings from chicken
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup milk
  • ⅓ cup half and half

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350
  • Mix herbs and rub over the chicken breasts
  • Place chicken in a 13 x 9 inch dish
  • Dot each chicken breast with ½ tablespoon of butter
  • Bake until chicken reaches about 160F (20-30 minutes)
  • Remove from oven, tent with foil and allow to stand while preparing the gravy. Chicken will finish cooking to 165F during standing time
  • Add the drippings from the baking dish to a pan over medium heat
  • Add butter and allow it to melt
  • Add the flour and whisk until flour is thick and begins to get golden
  • Add the milk and half and half whisking constantly
  • Cook until gravy thickens
  • Taste and add salt and pepper to taste

Notes

 
Storage:Refrigerate leftovers promply for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
Be generous with the pepper!
  • Always pat chicken dry with a paper towel before cooking with it.
  • Sometimes you can buy pre-packaged mixed bunches of fresh herbs in the grocery store. The great thing about that is you get a variety of herb flavors, without needing to spend a ton of money.
  • Scrape the bottom of the pan well to get all the browned bits of chicken drippings out. This is what adds the most flavor to your delicious gravy.
  • Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Larger chicken pieces will take longer to bake than smaller ones.
  • If you don't have a kitchen thermometer, baking is done when the juices of the chicken run clear (rather than pink or red.) However, this method is trickier, not as accurate as measuring by temperature, and often results in drier meat.
  • Let the milk and half and half come to room temperature while the chicken cooks. Avoid adding ice-cold milk to the gravy mixture.
  • Don't hold back on the black pepper. Fresh-cracked is even better!
  • This gravy recipe is fabulous on mashed potatoes and green beans, too, so don't skip it and you'll have a complete meal! Don't ya' just love easy dinners?!
You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 504kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 194mg | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 935mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 639IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

🥄 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully:

  • 13"x9" oven-safe pan—a baking dish or casserole dish is perfect.
  • Meat thermometer—not 100% necessary, but highly recommended.
Baked chicken breast with creamy gravy.

More Easy Family Dinner Recipes

  • Closeup of pizza cups filled with ground beef, pepperoni, olives, pizza sauce, and cheese.
    Easy Pizza Cups
  • A spoonful of creamy macaroni and cheese soup dripping with creamy broth.
    Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Soup (Easy 30-Minute Comfort Food)
  • Honey pecan chicken in a cast iron skillet.
    Honey Pecan Chicken Breasts
  • Overhead view of chicken tenders on a white plate for the feature image.
    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Love it? Share it!

236 shares
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard

About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    4.50 from 8 votes (7 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Alice says

    February 16, 2015 at 11:20 pm

    5 stars
    this sounds so good to me today! thanks for sharing! I have some chicken that I was undecided on and this fits the bill perfectly!

    Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

Find out more

🍉 Summer Cookouts

  • Overhead view of potato salad in a glass bowl
    Mom's Homemade Potato Salad
  • Overhead view of the finished watermelon basket filled with an assortment of fruit.
    How to Make a Watermelon Basket
  • Closeup of a finished hamburger in a bun.
    Retro Lipton Onion Soup Burger (Vintage Recipe)
  • Closeup of a star shaped cake covered in white chocolate with red and blue sprinkles.
    Zebra Cake Recipe: Little Debbie Copycat

🫖 Picklefork Stories

Picklefork town crest.
Click here to visit Picklefork

👑 Reader Favorites

  • Square overhead of chicken for feature image.
    Crockpot Angel Chicken
  • Close up of the sauce showing the creamy texture.
    Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce Recipe
  • Wooden spatula removing fried potatoes out of iron skillet.
    Crispy Fried Potatoes in a Cast Iron Skillet (Southern Style)
  • Blue cocktail with a red and white straw.
    Sex in the Driveway Cocktail
  • A sliced loaf of english muffin bread.
    Easy English Muffin Bread – No Knead, Perfect for Toasting!
  • Two finished loaves of Amish white bread cooling on a table.
    No-Fail Amish White Bread

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Marye Audet-White
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Contact
MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

Featured In:

Places Restless Chipotle has been featured

We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. Our privacy statement has more details.

Copyright ©2006 - 2025 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC

Picklefork Tales Copyright ©2025 Marye Audet, Restless Chipotle Media

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.