That sounds like the ultimate comfort food meal! Here’s the full breakdown for Crockpot Chicken and Gravy Over Mashed Potatoes & Velveeta Mac and Cheese, including variations and tips.
Crockpot Chicken and Gravy
Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 packet chicken gravy mix
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- A few dashes of ranch seasoning mix
Instructions:
- Slow Cook: Place chicken breasts in the crockpot. Pour in chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, gravy mix, pepper, and ranch seasoning. Stir slightly to combine.
- Cook on LOW for 6 hours (or HIGH for 3-4 hours).
- Shred Chicken: Remove chicken, shred it with forks, and return it to the crockpot. Stir well to coat in gravy.
- Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to soak up more flavor before serving.
Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled & cubed
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Boil potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain.
- Mash with butter and milk until smooth and creamy.
- Season with salt & pepper. Add extra butter for richness.
Velveeta Mac and Cheese
Ingredients:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar (optional, for extra cheesiness)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain.
- Melt butter and Velveeta in a pot over low heat. Stir in milk and shredded cheddar.
- Mix in cooked pasta, stirring until fully coated.
- Season with salt & pepper.
Assembly:
- Plate mashed potatoes and spoon the shredded chicken and gravy over the top.
- Serve alongside creamy Velveeta mac and cheese.
- Optional: Garnish with chopped parsley or shredded cheese.
Variations:
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce to the gravy.
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Mash roasted garlic cloves into the potatoes for extra flavor.
- Bacon Mac & Cheese: Stir crispy bacon bits into the Velveeta mac.
- Cheesy Chicken Gravy: Mix shredded cheddar into the crockpot gravy before serving.
Tips:
- Use frozen chicken: It will cook fine in the crockpot but may take an extra hour.
- Make it creamier: Stir a little sour cream into the gravy before serving.
- Thicker gravy? Add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) in the last 30 minutes.
- Meal prep: This whole meal stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days!
Would you try it with a side of green beans or biscuits? This sounds like a perfect cozy dinner!