This is a really easy recipe for how to make gravy using just water. For the best taste and a nice deep brown color, use both chicken and beef stock cubes. Takes 4 minutes flat, tastes like KFC gravy – but so much better. No pan drippings required.
This gravy recipe tastes like what you get in those tubs of KFC Potato and Gravy. Those of you who abstain from all forms of fast food may not know what it tastes like. If you want to know what you can expect from KFC, all you need to know is that it’s always tasty, well-seasoned, and can make anything taste good!
If you want to make this gravy taste even better, you need to use both chicken and beef stock cubes.
Gravy is a staple condiment that can elevate any savory dish Its richness and flavor make it a perfect pairing for proteins like chicken But can you use beef gravy on chicken? Or does it need to be chicken gravy specifically? This is a common question for home cooks.
The short answer is yes, you can use beef gravy on chicken without issue. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind depending on the dish you’re making. In this definitive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using beef gravy on chicken.
The Main Differences Between Beef and Chicken Gravy
Before diving into using beef gravy on chicken, it’s helpful to understand the key differences between beef and chicken gravy. Here’s a quick overview:
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Meat base Beef gravy is made with beef broth or stock, while chicken gravy uses chicken broth or stock
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Flavor: Beef gravy has a richer, meatier, and bolder flavor. Chicken gravy is more delicate and mild.
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Color: Beef gravy is darker brown. Chicken gravy is lighter tan or golden brown.
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Use: Beef gravy pairs well with beef, pork, lamb, and game meats. Chicken gravy pairs best with chicken and turkey.
So while beef and chicken gravy are similar, their flavor profiles and traditional uses do differ. Keep this context in mind as we explore using beef gravy on chicken.
Is it Okay to Use Beef Gravy on Chicken?
The main question is whether subbing beef gravy in place of chicken gravy will work. The answer is yes, you can absolutely use beef gravy on chicken. However, here are some factors to consider:
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Flavor balance: The bolder beef gravy may overpower mild chicken. You may want to dilute beef gravy with chicken broth.
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Dish styles: Hearty chicken stews or casseroles can stand up to beef gravy. Delicate chicken may be overwhelmed.
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Visual appeal: Dark beef gravy can look unnatural or unappealing on white chicken meat.
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Personal taste: Some enjoy the richer depth of beef gravy on chicken. Others find it overpowering.
So while using beef gravy on chicken is certainly feasible, ensure the dish and flavors complement each other. Adjust and dilute the gravy as needed.
Tips for Using Beef Gravy on Chicken
When using beef gravy on chicken, keep these tips in mind:
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Dilute with chicken broth to balance out the bolder beef flavors. Start with a 50/50 ratio.
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Use beef drippings from cooking chicken to make the gravy. This helps marry flavors.
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Limit beef gravy on delicate chicken dishes like chicken piccata or seared chicken breast. A rich demi-glace sauce is too heavy.
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Pair beef gravy with bold chicken like fried chicken, chicken pot pie, or chicken & dumplings. The flavors can stand up to each other.
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Add Worcestershire sauce or brown gravy mix to beef gravy to approximate chicken gravy.
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Make sure the dish colors complement each other. Beef gravy can darken a chicken dish.
Following these tips will help ensure beef gravy complements – not overwhelms – chicken.
Best Chicken Dishes for Beef Gravy
Certain chicken dishes are well-suited for rich, hearty beef gravy. Here are some of the best options:
- Chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken
- Chicken pot pie
- Chicken & dumplings or noodles
- Chicken stew or chicken a la king
- BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches
- Chicken meatloaf or meatballs
- Chicken alfredo pasta bake
For these savory, comfort food-style chicken dishes, beef gravy can be the perfect, mouthwatering accompaniment. The chicken flavor will still shine through.
Chicken Dishes to Avoid with Beef Gravy
On the flip side, here are some chicken dishes that are too delicate for heavy beef gravy:
- Chicken piccata or marsala
- Chicken parmesan
- Pan seared chicken breast
- Chicken cordon bleu
- Lemon garlic chicken
- Chicken fajitas or quesadillas
- Grilled chicken sandwiches
These lighter chicken dishes would be overpowered by robust beef gravy. Stick to chicken or turkey gravy for these options.
Making Your Own Beef Gravy for Chicken
Want to skip the store-bought stuff? Here is a simple recipe for homemade beef gravy perfect for chicken:
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1⁄2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Steps:
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In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes.
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While whisking constantly, slowly pour in the beef and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer.
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Reduce heat and let simmer for 5-10 minutes, until thickened slightly.
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Remove from heat and stir in the Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
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If needed, thin out with more chicken broth to reach desired consistency.
And that’s it – you now have the perfect homemade beef gravy to use right on top of juicy chicken! Adjust the flavorings as desired.
Final Take: A Savory Shortcut
While traditionalists may prefer chicken gravy with chicken, using beef gravy can be a handy shortcut for home cooks. With proper seasoning and consistency adjustments, beef gravy can absolutely substitute for chicken gravy in a pinch. Just keep the flavor balance in mind.
For hearty chicken dishes like fried chicken, pot pie, or stew, beef gravy adds incredible richness and savory depth. But avoid drowning delicate chicken in overly beefy gravy. With the right dish pairing, beef gravy on chicken can be downright delicious.
So don’t panic if you’re out of chicken gravy – that beef gravy will do just fine. Just follow the guidance in this article, and enjoy your saucy chicken creation. Leftovers will even make for a great savory gravy-smothered lunch the next day.
What you need for gravy
Chicken and beef stock cubes, butter, and flour are all you need to make a great gravy from scratch.
- For color and flavor, use both chicken and beef stock cubes, also known as bouillon cubes. The main flavor is chicken, and the beef gives it extra kick and a nice deep brown color instead of a bland pale brown. When you use both, this gravy can be used with any protein, like chicken, pork, red meats (beef, lamb, game), potatoes, and vegetables. Can substitute with powder;.
- Hot water – to dissolve the cubes;
- Flour—to make the gravy thicker (or gluten-free cornstarch or flour if the recipe calls for it);
- Some people add onion or garlic powder to make it taste better.
That’s a good question! Stock cubes and powder have a stronger flavor than liquid stock (broth), so they make gravy taste better when you make it from scratch like in this recipe.
When you start making gravy with pan drippings from roasts, liquid broth is better because the pan drippings add more flavor to the gravy.
Use gravy as a sauce for these dishes
I need to stop. There’s too many possibilities!
But enough about my ideas. Tell me what YOU douse with gravy!! – Nagi x
Zero-Carb Carnivore Gravy Technique (No Gums, No Thickeners, No Weird Ingredients)!
FAQ
Can you use beef gravy instead of stock?
Does KFC use beef or chicken gravy?
What is the difference between chicken and beef gravy?
Is beef gravy the same as brown gravy?
What is easy chicken gravy?
Easy Chicken Gravy is hearty and delicious comfort food. It is so simple and can be made in just one pan with or without drippings. This recipe is a quick and easy way to make gravy, ready in just 10 minutes. We used chicken broth, but you can easily use beef broth instead. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
What do you put in chicken gravy?
A basic chicken gravy includes a few simple ingredients – oil (or butter), flour, broth, salt and pepper. For a more flavorful gravy, I like to add green onions, thyme or poultry seasoning, a bouillon cube and even a splash of sherry. Drippings are the juices and fat that accumulate at the bottom of the pan when cooking a meat or chicken roast.
Does beef gravy go well with chicken?
With chicken – Beef gravy pairs really well with poultry dishes, like spatchcock chicken, sous vide chicken breasts, air fryer chicken thighs, roasted chicken, and more. Save yourself some time and stress by making the gravy up to 3 days ahead of serving. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge until it’s time to reheat and serve.
Do you need drippings to make chicken gravy?
Drippings are the juices and fat that accumulate at the bottom of the pan when cooking a meat or chicken roast. Meat drippings indeed add wonderful flavor to gravy. But they are not always available to use when you need gravy. Here are 5 good reasons why you might need to make chicken gravy without drippings.