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;
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
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
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…😖
Gravy baked chicken. Made it tonight. Wow….love all your recipes. Thank you….
Made this last night. It was a thanksgiving meal in July for us. I made mashed potatoes, roasted cauliflower, green beans with carrots, using the leftover beef broth to cook the beans. One daughter said the meal would have been complete if I made cranberry sauce. I used spatchcocked chicken (doubled the spices) so it took longer to cook. The skin was so good (my favorite)! I had to pour in the beef broth a couple of times because it dried up as I was cooking in the oven. But I think it attributed to the moist and flavorful chicken. The daughter said how good the chicken tasted. The gravy was very good. Never burnt the gravy but had to add more broth every 15/20 min. I’m lazy about making gravy after a roast is cooked so this gravy while baking is genius! Thank you!
Sorry about the gravy issue, if your oven runs slightly hot (or you use an extra large pan) you may need to top up with a little water. N x
Hi Nagi!
If I only have one bone in breast, one leg and one thigh, does the cooking time reduce at all? Thanks!
Made this tonight for my wife and kids…a hit , yet again from one of your oh so simple but tasty recipes! Just another of the great recipes I have used! This one is up there with the craggy , crispy chicken! Please don’t stop!
Wahoo!! That’s great to hear Curtis! N
Oops, I forgot to rate it!!😅😅
In my opinion, ALL your recipes deserve 10 STARS!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
You’re too kind Aisha ❤️
Dearest Nagi!♥️♥️♥️
You are amazing and the best, most practical Chef whom I have ever come across!🌹🌹🌹
Your dishes are extremely delicious and your step by step guides enable even the most amateur of cooks to put something yummy on the table…👏🏻👏🏻
I thank God dearly for allowing me to stumble across your site on the Net.🌟
Thanks for being such a wonderful person!💙💙💙
Take care and God bless!💎💎💎
Made this last night for the family and is a winner and so super easy. I’m vegetarian so personally I didn’t try it but the family said it was yummy and they are working from home today and having hot chicken rolls for lunch as you suggested! Thanks!
This was SO easy and delicious ! Thank you for sharing another great recipe.
You’re so welcome Denise! N x
Made this for dinner last night alongside some mashed sweet potatoes and some peas – it was fantastic! So easy to prep and cook, and LOVED how the sauce was ready when the chicken was ready – and no need for extra dishes to make gravy! The chicken was moist and flavorful, will definitely make this again! Thanks Nagi!!
Yes – soooo good not to wash up pots and pans after having a roast! N x
I made this tonight using Maryland pieces, made the buttered spice rice too and it was absolutely delicious, the rice soaking up all the chicken gravy juices. Yummo!! Thank you 😊
Forgot to rate🤪
Thanks Dee! N x
With homemade chips to soak up all that yummy yummy gravy.. Waouh. Thanks Nagi!
YESSS!!! N x
Oh Nagi. I made this gravy baked chicken this evening. I had drumsticks so that’s what I used.
I’m a good cook but fairly lazy so I also included sliced potatoes, sweet potato and red onion and parsnip in the same pan, and cooked everything at once. Sorry no photo.
I served it with fresh green beans and cauliflower cheese. We were in heaven. The gravy was great and I only needed ¼ extra water.
Delicious. I make many of your recipes and all have been successful but this one was outstanding for a cool winter’s evening in Brisbane.
Plus we have left overs. Yum! 😋👍💖💖
Oh and PS…I used stock powder and a few drops of Parisienne essence for colour (how’s that for old fashioned!)
Oh Nagi. I made this gravy baked chicken this evening. I had drumsticks so that’s what I used.
I’m a good cook but fairly lazy so I also I’m included sliced potatoes, sweet potato and red onion And parsnip in the same pan and cooked everything at once. Sorry no photo.
I served it with fresh green beans and cauliflower cheese. We were in heaven. The gravy was great and I only needed ¼ extra water.
Delicious. I make many of your recipes and all have been successful but this one was outstanding for a cool winter’s evening in Brisbane.
Plus we have left overs. Yum! 😋👍💖💖
Oh and PS…I used stock powder and a few drops of Parisienne essence for colour (how’s that for old fashioned!)
None of your recipes disappoint – and this was yet another winner for dinner!
Hi Nagi, I’m sure you’re on it but it’s dried mushrooms on special time at Aldi right now.
looks great. I lurve chicken gravy so will try it with chicken stock and add a little mushroom soy sauce for colour.
Yes!!! Perfect Andy! Enjoy 🙂 N x
So delicious! Quick & easy too!
I’m so glad you loved it Ariana! N x
This recipe was super easy to put together and the oven did the rest. Quick and yummy! Thanks Nagi!
Perfect Gigi! N x
I made this tonight, based on your promise that it would be quick to prep, and delicious. You’re right! Thank you!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it S!! N x
I made this for dinner this evening! It was a hit for sure. Everyone loved it.
Thank you Nagi
Wahoo! That’s great to hear! N