Simple Chicken and Potatoes with Green Beans and Gravy
This quick & easy slow cooker chicken recipe only takes 5 minutes! The base recipe only takes 5 ingredients too. There are several ideas for optional ingredients. And you can mix and match them with your own ideas for an amazingly delicious, SIMPLE slow cooker meal.
Chicken breasts cook up great in the crockpot. Heck, most all types of chicken do. And this slow cooker chicken breast recipe is proof positive of that too! Just toss everything in before you leave for the day and come home to a delicious meal. Everyone around here loves it.
This is a great recipe to serve just about any time. It's easy enough to do up for a weeknight meal. But it's pretty enough for company too. We recently added the stove-top, pressure cooker and freezer meal directions in with the printable recipe, so that'll save you even more time.
All You Need to Know About Chicken & Potatoes
Optional (Additional) Ingredients
Mushrooms
First of all, there are mushrooms. We like mushrooms. Not everyone does though. Mushrooms seem to be a lot like cilantro.
I mean I know there is a scientific reason people like or dislike cilantro...and that isn't what I mean. I just mean people either love them or hate them.
But, we like them a lot. I cook with them a lot. BUT they are totally optional with this recipe. It works great with just potatoes and green beans.
Chicken Broth
Another optional ingredient is chicken broth. You can use water or chicken broth when making the sauce for this recipe. Chicken broth is going to give you a stronger flavor. Water gives you a milder one.
Butter
And lastly, there's butter. That's not mandatory either. It's going to add depth to the dish. And give you a richer flavor. But it's totally optional.
If you're on a calorie-restricted diet, don't add it. Margarine is not recommended, but that's a totally different story and I'm not a dietitian.
Carrots
You can add carrots and take away the green beans. You can add 1/2 carrots and half green beans. The choice is yours. Both cook up very well.
Cooking Options
Making this meal in your electric pressure cooker or in the skillet is also an option. It works great for those days you forget to toss your freezer meal into the slow cooker before starting your day. You can still eat the meal you had planned and all is well.
Not all crockpot meals can be cooked any which way (I'm pretty sure that works across the board on all meals). But for this recipe... for making chicken breasts and vegetables in your slow cooker, you can cook it as follows:
- Slow Cooker
- Electric Pressure Cooker
- Stove-Top
- Oven-Baked - Maybe, I've never tried this. I am GUESSING 375-400 degrees in a covered casserole dish for 30-50 minutes. That time would depend on the size of the vegetables.
- Freezer Meal - This one would be prepped for cooking numbers 1-3 (and #4 too if you are interested in going that route).
All cooking methods can be found below in the printable recipe. It's close to the bottom of the page, just scroll on down 🙂
Printable Recipe
Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Breast and Potatoes with Gravy
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken strips
- 4-6 red potatoes washed and cut into wedges
- 1 pound fresh or frozen green beans
- 1 small can sliced mushrooms (optional)
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 packet chicken gravy mix
- 1 cup water (or chicken broth)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Freezer Meal Directions:
- Place chicken strips, green beans and mushrooms in a large freezer bag.
- Mix the broth and seasonings as in step #2 above. Pour over chicken mixture.
- Make a note on your label (and maybe your calendar) that you'll need the potatoes to make this recipe.
- Lay flat, squeeze out as much air as possible, label and freeze for up to 6 weeks.
- To Cook: Defrost the chicken mixture overnight in the refrigerator. Wash and cut the potatoes and lay in the bottom on the slow cooker. Pour chicken mixture over the top. Cook per directions below.
Slow Cooker:
- Spray, butter, or oil your crockpot insert.
- Combine the water/broth, melted butter and seasoning packet and Italian seasoning. Set aside.
- Layer chicken, potatoes, green beans and then the mushrooms.
- Pour liquid mixture over the top.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours. Or on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Electric Pressure Cooker:
- Place the chicken, potatoes, green beans and mushrooms into the pressure cooker insert.
- Combine the water (or broth), melted butter, and Italian seasoning.
- Close the lid, turn to "High" and program for 15 minutes.
- * While the pressure cooker is chugging away - Mix the gravy packet with an additional 2-3 tablespoons of water and set aside.
- When the pressure cooker is done, turn the valve to quick release. Open and carefully remove your vegetables.
- Whisk the gravy mixture you priviously prepared into the seasoned broth. Whisk vigerously until well combined.
- Pour gravy over chicken and potatoes. Add salt and pepper as desired and serve.
Stove-Top:
- Melt the butter in a deep skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning and then the chicken.
- Saute for 4 to 6 minutes, until the chicken is slightly browned.
- Add the potatoes, green beans, and water/broth. Stir well.
- Cover with a tight-fitting lid and turn the burner to medium-low.
- Allow it to cook 15-20 minutes Time will vary depending on the cut of your potatoes. Test with a fork for doneness.
- Use a large ladle to carefully remove the chicken and vegetables.
- Mix the gravy packet with 2 to 3 tablespoons of additional cold water. Pour into the seasoned mixture in the skillet and whisk until well combined.
- Pour over chicken and potatoes and toss to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper as desired to serve.
Video
Notes
Tried this yesterday as we were all going out for the day, We loved it, I'd been outside all day really cold, great to come home to a delicious hot dinner, Thanks for the recipe.
You're very welcome Kevin. So glad you enjoyed it!
why can't I find the printable/pinnable version? Do I just dump it all in the crock pot?
Hi Cassie. It disappeared...I had no idea! Thanks for letting me know. I just added it back...have a great day 🙂
wonderful! thank you so much!
You are most welcome 🙂
when you say "1 packet Italian seasoning" do you mean a packet of Italian dressing mix? or dried Italian seasoning, like the spice?
The packet that makes a salad dressing is what I used when I wrote this recipe. Since then I've used a homemade Italian mixture. So I'm going to say either works in my experience.
Thank you, I plan on making this this weekend! Looks great!
You're very welcome. Enjoy!
I'm excited to try this recipe tonight! Worried that the sauce is not enough though... Only one cup of water with the mentioned seasonings is enough? Thank you!!!
I should be yes but if you'd like more I'd add broth or bouillon, for flavor. Too much water would, well...water it down. I'm not sure how else to say that but I hope you get me.
Thank you!!! It smells delicious!!!! Can't wait to try it
You are absolutely welcome 🙂
My family loves saucy foods, so how much broth would be ideal on top of the cup of water?
I think doubling it would work.
CHICKEN IS MY FAVORITE MEAT can''t wait to try! Thanks for recipe
You are very welcome. Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Ever tried it with chicken thighs? Maybe up the time to 8-10 hours? Thoughts...
Yes, that would work. If you do chicken thighs or quarters that are "bone in", yes you could up the time by a couple hours, possibly 3 more if they are really big ones.
I was wondering if this could be put into a pressure cooker instead of a slow cooker?
Amanda, I don't know a LOT about pressure cooking. I know a lot more about crockpot cooking and pressure canning (but not cooking). I am going to say yes you can because I KNOW you can, but I am not sure about the time you'd need to cook it. I am going to guess about 10 minutes at high pressure. That should cook the potatoes (in chunks) and the chicken both.
Can't wait to try this, I love chicken and I love cooking in a crockpot.
Have you tried making ahead and freezing - before cooking in the crockpot?
I have yes ma'am. I don't like frozen potatoes myself. I just label the package to add the potatoes when cooking. Everything else freezes well.
I guess I added too many green beans? Because when I got home I had soup! I put it on for 6 hours on low but I didn't get home till three hours later. Maybe I should have done warm for 8 hours? It's edible but veggies are overcooked and chickens a little dry. Where did I go wrong?
Hi Kay. I don't think you did anything wrong. It sounds like it simply cooked too long OR possibly your slow cooker runs hotter than mine. I wouldn't recommend the warm setting. The internal temperature wouldn't get high enough and food poisoning could be an issue. You wouldn't want that!
If you want to try again I'd recommend trying with whole chicken thighs. Dark meat is more forgiving than white and can be cooked longer (and higher temps too). Also, I wouldn't cut it up. Just leave the thighs whole. That will give you a longer cooking time too.
Also, if you use frozen or canned green beans you CAN decrease the water to about 2/3's a cup. That will cut down on the "soupy".
I hope that helps. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Hi I'm not familiar with a pack of italian seasoning and a pack of gravy here in the uk can you give me ideas please, cant wait to try x
Hi Lorraine. I do apologize but I've never visited the UK. I'd love to though. So I am had no idea there weren't premade packets of mix available. No CAN make your own though.
I've already posted the Italian seasoning mix I use on a previous comment. I will get to work on finding a homemade chicken gravy mix recipe too.
Made this tonight it was amazing! Added green beans at the end but the flavor is so damn good I just dipped bread in it! Thank you
LOL. I am very glad you enjoyed it. And thanks for the chuckle 🙂
I see that you commented that you now use a homemade Italian seasoning packet. Would you be willing to share? Sometimes the prepackaged ones are very salty and I am worried about using both the Italian and the gravy packs. By the way, this looks and sounds great and I can’t wait to try it, hopefully in the next few days!!
Hi Sharon,
I've been away due to a family situation for a while, so sorry I didn't get this to you sooner. I am going to paste the recipe below for you to have immediately. But it will be posted to the website soon under the "Beyond the Crock" tab...
Italian Seasoning
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons dried marjoram
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried sage
Himalayan salt to taste (I use about 1 1/2 teaspoons)
Toss all the ingredients in a jar and shake to combine.
If you'd like a finer consistency like the packages, combine all the herbs in a food processor or blender and pulse or 30 to 60 seconds.
Store in a closed canister.
2 tablespoons equals one purchased packet.
Do you have any recommendations on how to thicken the liquid. It’s a little to runny for my liking?
I think that happens depending on the brand of gravy used, as it's happened to me as well. But you can fix it by mixing 1 tablespoon of corn starch with 1/4 cup of very cold water then ladling out about 1/2 cup of the broth from your cooked dish. Mix those together and recombine in the slow cooker.
You may need to cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes just to let it combine well and heat up again...that mostly depends on the temp of the crock pot and other stuff beyond our control (aka weather believe it or not).
Best of luck. I hope that helps.
Would it work to cook this recipe on thr “high” setting of my slow cooker? How long would I put it in for?
3 1/2 to 4 hours. I updated the recipe as well.
When do you add the gravy?
You mix the gravy packets with the water in step #2. You add it to the slow cooker in step #4 🙂
I bought canned chicken gravy instead of a packet. Can I use that instead of the packet?
Probably. I don't know how large the canister you purchased was. But if it's about 1 cup, just leave out the water. Mix the Italian seasoning in well and you should be good to go.
Could I substitute broccoli instead of green beans??
You absolutely can! If you want it to be crisp, I'd add it only in the last hour or so though. My personally, I prefer it well cooked, so mine goes at the beginning. Both methods work though, whichever you prefer 🙂
How long would I put this on if I have to cook on high?
That's going to depend on how thick the chicken breasts are. But 3 1/2 to 4 hours should do the trick. Possibly 3(ish) if you're using really thin fillets.
just made it and it smells really good i doubled the recipe cause of big family
This sounds delicious! The ingredient list calls for 1 tbsp of Italian seasoning, but I saw in other posts you were talking about an Italian seasoning packet. Just wanted to clarify so I add the right amount:)
Thanks so much!
Cindy
The first time I made this recipe, it was with an Italian dressing dry packet. The second and third time, it was with plain Italian seasoning. It actually works fine with either one, you just get a slightly different flavor.