Got 5 minutes for dinner? Make this incredible baked chicken recipe! Crispy oven roasted chicken thighs and drumsticks that makes its own gravy in the same baking pan.
It’s the chicken version of this Sausage Bake with Gravy, a long time reader favourite. Minutes to prep, zero maintenance to cook. 100% delish!
Gravy Baked chicken recipe – make its own gravy!
This is another one* of those super speedy recipes that came about at the end of a long cook day when I had to use up ingredients before the expiry date but had zero energy to expend. It’s a dump-and-bake recipe, but entirely made from scratch – no canned soup shortcuts around here!
Chicken is coated in a simple spice mix for flavour (plus it makes the chicken crispy!) then it’s baked IN a flour/beef stock liquid that magically thickens into a gravy by the time the chicken is cooked.
Just LOOK at the gravy perfection!! ↑↓↑↓
* Sausage Bake, and the Ultra Lazy Series (Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake, Chicken Rice Bake and speedy Corn Chowder) being to more such examples! Handy for busy midweek cooking. 🙂
What you need
Here’s what you need for this baked chicken. Very few ingredients, right?? Hard to believe it’s going to make something so delicious… but I promise it does! It’s all in the cooking logic. Read on!
How to make this baked chicken dinner
And here’s how it’s made:
The key to this recipe is how the “self saucing gravy” is made. You simply whisk together flour with beef stock/broth, then pour it around the chicken. As it bakes in the oven, 3 things happen:
-
The chicken flesh under the liquid stays moist and absorbs the stock flavour = tasty chicken flesh even without marinating;
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The chicken leeches juices into the stock, adding even more flavour into what will end up as gravy; and
-
The flour in the broth makes it thicken into a gravy.
WARNING: When it comes out of the oven, you’ll be looking at a congealed mess in the pan instead of the silky gravy you see. Have faith! Just give it a good whisk and it comes together beautifully!
And here’s what you end up with – crispy chicken….
…. AND a gravy to douse everything on your plate!
And what did that take you to prepare? All of 5 minutes? If that!
Serve with anything your heart desires. Pictured at the top of the post with creamy mashed potato (possibly cauliflower – can’t remember if I was attempting low carb on that day) and a side of Rocket Salad with Balsamic Dressing.
And in the photo above, this crispy baked chicken is served with buttery Seasoned Rice (think Rice-a-roni, except homemade, excellent freezer standby) and steamed greens drizzled with the herb & garlic dressing from this Cucumber Salad.
But honestly? Chicken and gravy. It goes with anything (non Asian). You could even pull the meat off the bones, toss in the gravy then stuff it in bread rolls to make Chicken and Gravy Rolls. YES! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Gravy Baked Chicken (thighs & drumsticks) - 5 min prep!
Ingredients
- 1.25 kg/ 3 lb bone in, skin on chicken thighs and/or drumsticks (all of one, or mix, Note 1)
- 2 tsp olive oil (or other oil)
Chicken seasoning:
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp onion powder (or garlic powder)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Gravy:
- 4 tbsp flour , plain/all purpose (Note 2 for GF)
- 1 1/2 cups beef stock/broth (yes, beef, not chicken! Note 3)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan).
- Seasoning - mix in a small bowl.
- Season chicken - Place chicken in a 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13" baking pan. Drizzle with oil then rub all over Sprinkle & rub in the Seasoning, using most on the skin side.
- Arrange chicken skin side up in the pan.
- Gravy mixture - Whisk flour with about 1/2 cup of stock until lump free, then whisk in remaining stock and pepper (forgot in video!). Pour into the pan around the chicken.
- Bake uncovered for 50 minutes, or until chicken is crispy and golden.
- Whisk gravy - Remove chicken onto a plate, then give the gravy a good whisk to make it smooth. Adjust Gravy thickness if required - Note 4. Taste and add salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve - Pour gravy into a jug. Serve alongside chicken!
Recipe Notes:
- Seasoned Rice (excellent freezer standby to serve with everything)
- steamed veg tossed with the Herb & Garlic dressing from this Cucumber Salad
- creamy mashed potato (or cauliflower for low carb)
- Rocket/Arugula salad with balsamic dressing (super speedy, no chop salad)
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
It would be kind of cute that he stands there for ages with his head pushed through the dog door….except it’s winter here, and ice cold air is blasting into the house through that considerably large hole…😖
Romi says
This looks so good, easy and quick! I’ll make it this week with some mashed potatoes!!
Stacey says
This went down a treat.
Grandma says
Make all the time now as very popular with son in law who is fussy eater. Gravy baked chicken is the best according to him.
Preetha says
Made this last night with chicken breast and it was delicious (followed the recipe in the notes for chicken breast). The gravy thickened before the first 20 mins were up so I mixed in abit of hot water before putting the chicken pieces in …it was not dry and turned out perfect. So easy ! Thanks Nagi
Jacinta says
Made this last night & it was a big hit. I used 4 chicken maryland, they were so juicy & tender & that gravy WOW! My husband & daughter are still raving about it & asking when are you making it again. Thanks for anothe winning dish Nagi.
Nagi says
That’s great to hear Jacinta!! N x
Jenny says
Winner, winner chicken dinner!
I made this last night – delicious! Thanks for another great recipe Nagi.
Lucille White says
Love your recipes.
Nagi says
Thanks so much Lucille! N x
Sarah says
It was amazing! Kids loved it. Husband loves it! So easy. No prep. It was awesome!
Christina says
I baked this twice this past week; one dish was for my family, and the other for a family from church. We all LOVED it. Great recipe, Nagi!
Kellie Bright says
This looks amazing. I’ve got some organic skin-on chicken thighs but they don’t have a bone. Will I still keep the same cooking time?
Alyssa says
This was incredible. So so easy to put together and the spices were amazing. Only thing I’d change is cut down the salt a bit, but that is probably due to the type of beef broth I used.
Jackz says
Such an easy way to make a roast dinner. The gravy is delicious!
Cheryl Maughan says
Sorry, forgot to put the rating in!
Cheryl Maughan says
Brilliant easy tasty recipe. Hubby loves it. I cook more than we need and have it for lunch the next day.
Terri Brewer says
Sooooo yummy and easy!
Nagi says
I’m so glad you loved it Terri! N x
Cher says
Absolutely love this dish. So easy and fabulous. Love all of your recipes actually. Thank you for your inspiration and wonderful dishes.
Nagi says
Thanks so much Cher, that’s lovely to hear! N x
Michele says
This is definitely a winner. So quick and easy. I’ve always found making a gravy from the pan juices such a pain, cause I’m usually so over it by the time a baked dinner is cooked. This is a cinche !! Thanks Nagi. P.S. I’m thinking this would work with other meats too ?
Nagi says
Hi Michele, yes definitely makes doing a “roast dinner” SO much easier!! Yes it would work with other meats – I’ve got a sausage bake too just like this! N x
Priscilla says
The genius of the gravy being made with the chicken and the flavours!! Served this with your buttery seasoned rice and it was a fantastic meal that was so easy to put together. Thank you Nagi for sharing your food genius with us all!!
steve caines says
Fantastic, best gravy I’ve had in a long time with tasty and tender chicken. A total winner
Jacques says
I have to commend you on this recipe along with the seasoned rice. This was absolutely spot on and the flavor was next level. Thank you and thank you
Nagi says
WOOT! Thanks so much Jacques!! N X