30-Minute Chicken and Gravy

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This chicken and gravy recipe creates juicy, pan seared chicken breast with a rich and creamy gravy. The meal is a favorite of kids and adults, but the best part is, you only need one skillet, 3 ingredients, and 30 minutes to put dinner on the table!!

Weeknight dinner of chicken and gravy on a white dinner plate with sides of green beans and mashed potatoes with homemade pan gravy.

Do you love 30-minute meals as much as we do? They’re a huge help at the end of a long day! It’s the best feeling to know that you can make a comfort food meal in less time than it would take to order and pick up a chicken dinner from your favorite restaurant.

Chicken breasts are one of the most common proteins to have on hand, but they can be difficult to work with. While white meat is lean and healthy, it can be a bit boring in the flavor department. Check out our post on how to cut chicken breast to learn more about this meat.

There are a million different ways to add flavor, but some recipes are very labor-intensive, and/or take too long to cook. It’s even worse when you end up with a dried-out and rubbery piece of meat on your plate.

Sometimes you just need to get back to the basics!

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Why We Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy
In our busy lives, who doesn’t appreciate a delicious meal that can be whipped up in just half an hour? This recipe is perfect for those hectic weeknights when you need something satisfying on the table fast, without sacrificing flavor or quality.
Comfort Food Bliss
There’s something incredibly comforting about tender meat smothered in rich, savory gravy. It’s a classic, home-cooked dish that brings warmth and nostalgia with every bite. Perfect for family dinners or when you need a little culinary hug.
Versatile and Budget-Friendly
This recipe doesn’t require any fancy or expensive ingredients, making it a great option for families looking to keep their grocery bills in check. Plus, it’s versatile enough to pair with various sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or a fresh salad, ensuring everyone at the table is happy.

30 Minute Chicken and Gravy Recipe

By pan searing the breasts in a hot skillet, the outside of the poultry becomes beautifully caramelized and flavorful. The juices are sealed inside, so every bite is moist and tender.

You don’t need lots of seasonings or anything special; the chicken and gravy have plenty of flavor!

Not only is this an easy recipe to make, but it is also a healthier alternative to fried and breaded meat recipes.

This healthy chicken and gravy recipe is low in carbs, but still high in protein, and very tasty.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Two pan seared chicken breasts in a stainless skillet

Chicken – We use skinless, boneless breasts, but you can use skin-on pieces if you don’t mind the extra calories and fat.
Seasoning – Black pepper and kosher salt is used to add flavor to our recipe. However, you can also add your favorite blend of seasonings. Good choices are dried Italian seasoning, paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, dried oregano, or dried basil.
Olive oil – Used for searing and to keep the meat from sticking to the pan. You can use any cooking oil of your choice, such as avocado oil, vegetable, grapeseed, or even ghee or butter.
Gravy – We use stock, cornstarch, and butter to make the gravy that complements this chicken and gravy recipe.

Tips for the Best Pan Seared Chicken Breast

Use a heavy-bottomed, stainless steel skillet.

This is not the time to use a non-stick skillet. In fact, you want as much contact with the hot pan as possible.

Be sure the meat is dry.

Excess moisture will prevent the meat from getting that perfect golden brown crust that you want. So, use paper towels to pat the meat completely dry.

Raw poultry in a stainless steel pan with melted butter.

Pound them to an even thickness.

After you’ve thoroughly dried the breasts, use a meat mallet to pound them flat. This will help them to cook quicker and more evenly.

Heat and temperature are key!

After the meat is seared, turn down the heat for the rest of the cook time. This prevents overcooking, which will dry out the meat.

A stainless steel skillet with pan seared chicken breasts

Cover the skillet with a lid.

As you continue cooking on low in the skillet, cover the pan to keep the moisture inside. This ensures that there are juices in the meat and pan for your chicken and gravy.

For more tips on pan searing (including video prep), see our chicken piccata Cheesecake Factory recipe.

Placing a lid over a skillet of pan seared chicken

Let the pan seared breasts rest before serving.

To keep the chicken breasts moist, let them rest for at 5-10 minutes before serving. This is the perfect time to finish making the meal!

Tips for the Best Pan Gravy

Use the same skillet you cooked the poultry in – the drippings make a fantastic, creamy and flavor-packed gravy.

Deglaze the pan. When you sear any type of meat, whether it’s a Dutch oven pot roast, pork tenderloin, steak, or poultry, little bits of food are left behind on the bottom of the pan. That ‘fond’ is full of flavor, so use it as the base for your gravy!

Two pieces of chicken and gravy on a white dinner plate.

🎯 TFN Pro Tip

To maintain your skillet’s quality, always let it cool down before cleaning to avoid warping. Use a soft sponge or brush with mild dish soap to gently remove food residue without scratching the surface. For stubborn stains, create a paste using baking soda and water, applying it to the affected area and scrubbing lightly. Finally, thoroughly dry the skillet to prevent rust, and consider seasoning it with a light coat of oil to maintain its non-stick properties.

Serving Suggestions

Potatoes are a popular starch to serve with pan seared chicken breast. Our favorite choices are Instant Pot lasagna soup and hasselback potatoes. For something a bit heartier, we recommend making Instant Pot loaded potato casserole.

Our sourdough stuffing recipe is perfect for a holiday-inspired meal and goes great with the homemade pan gravy from this recipe.

And you should definitely have a basket of fresh, hot buttermilk drop biscuits or some French bread on the dinner table!

Need something sweet after a wonderfully hearty, savory meal? Give this quick Bisquick Strawberry Cobbler a try!

Dinner plate of cooked poultry, mashed potatoes and green beans.

Other Easy Recipes

If you’re looking for another chicken dish to try, check out our blackened tenders recipe. The simple spices give a delicious New Orleans Cajun flavor. You may also want to try our Bisquick tenders and baked chicken tenderloins in the oven.
If you love to pan fry, pan seared chicken thighs is a great option for you.

Recipe FAQs

Are cooked chicken breasts good for meal prepping?

Pan seared chicken breasts are a great protein to use for make-ahead meals. They keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months when properly sealed in airtight containers.

How long to pan sear chicken breast?

It takes about 4-5 minutes per side to cook poultry to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. However, the cook time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts. To be sure it’s cooked properly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest portion of the meat.

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If you tried this chicken and gravy recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!