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…😖
Nagi has done it again. Served it with mash and peas, wowed my flatmates and myself. Super tasty, cost friendly and unbelieveably easy. 10/10
I have a few tweeks to make to my gravy eg fresh versus frozen/thawed chicken but the flavour is there and really tender. Such an easy recipe – thanks Nagi!
I make this at least once a fortnight, and there are never any leftovers! Loving the one dish thing and DIY gravy. Thank you!
This was the easiest meal I have ever put together for our family. I used thighs and legs and served with mashed potatoes. No substitutions, no alterations. And now I have bones to make broth. This was amazing. Thank you, Nagi!
So yummy and so cheap to make!
I do it in advance (early morning and put in fridge) and re-heat the chicken in the air fryer to crisp up.
Gravy and seasoned rice I re-heat in the microwave. Ready for when everyone comes home for lunch!
Had this tonight and it was delicious. So easy to make, it will definitely be a regular in our house.
The whole family loved this recipe. Will be a staple in our house moving forward. Very quick and easy to prep, popped in the oven while I cooked sides and it all came together beautifully!
Quick, easy and ever so tasty. Mashed potatoes mopped up extra gravy 👍 I blitzed the gravy so it was smooth. Thanks Nagi 🥰
Is in the oven right now! Nagi, this is a great, easy-peasy mid week family dinner. Love every recipe that I’ve tried on your website or in your book. 🇨🇦
Sounds delish. Question: what are “marylands”?
Dozer looks so good……all of your TLC has paid off. Such a beautiful boy!
Hi, Marylands are pieces of chicken that is the drumstick and thigh still attached. Usually these have skin on and, of course, bone in, so they make for very succulent and flavourful dishes. You can separate the drumstick and thigh if you want, or leave as a whole piece depending on your recipe and make sure you adjust cooking times accordingly.
Nagi, this recipe is chicken perfection! I followed the recipe to the letter and it came out perfect, easy and absolutely delicious! Thank you for sharing ❤️🍗
Simple to prep and yet tastes like you slaved for hours!
Followed recipe as directed albeit I used all drumsticks.
I paired mine with the rice recipe recommended (used a mixed brown rice which was also a knock out!) caramelized carrots and peas.
YUMMY!
Everyone couldn’t believe I knocked this flavor packed meal out on a Tuesday night!
Chicken was deeeelish!!!
Gravy was a disaster .. oh well, I’ll keep trying
I could only get marylands – perfect!! Thanks for another winner!!
Absolutely delicioso!!
I’m not even a gravy fan usually but I loved this! Cooked per recipe with 3 bone in thighs and 4 drummies.
Served with a side of your easy roast potatoes, and a kaleslaw salad 👌🏼
We went retro with this and had it with smashed baked potato and a tin of peas and carrots! Interested to see an earlier comment about adding mushrooms – we talked about doing that next time.
This was nice. Would probably cook 5-10 minutes longer next time.
I made this last night and it was so good. I only had low sodium chicken stock so I added 2 tablespoons of dark soy sauce to it with the flour and whisked well. Was utterly delicious, lots of flavour without being overly ”soy sauce” like. We had it with hot chips to dunk in the gravy, baby carrots and sliced tomatoes. Thanks Nagi!
Easiest dinner I have ever made and tasted phenomenal! I added mushrooms 🍄 and served with mashed potatoes. Yum.
Followed your recipe (baked legs & thighs in gravy) and it turned out perfectly. We loved it. So simple & delicious. Thank you.