Keep these fantastic Test Kitchen tips handy for Thanksgiving (and all other occasions with roasted poultry on the menu) if you don’t already have a go-to gravy recipe.
How to Make Chicken Gravy with Drippings
The five-step process for making chicken gravy with drippings might look a bit overwhelming, but we promise the whole recipe for this simple chicken gravy comes together in just 10 minutes.
Step 1: Pour Drippings into a Measuring Cup
Start by roasting your chicken. Remove it from the pan and place it on a cutting board to carve, then pour the pan drippings into a large glass measuring cup ($4, Walmart). Scrape the browned bits from the pan into the cup—those chicken drippings are where the rich flavor comes from. Test Kitchen Tip: You can easily make homemade chicken gravy without roasting a bird by substituting melted butter for the fat and using extra broth in place of the drippings.
Step 2: Measure the Fat
With a spoon, skim the fat from the drippings. (You’ll only need ¼ cup fat, so discard any remaining fat or save it for another use.) Add the ¼ cup of the skimmed fat into a 2-quart saucepan ($28, Target). If there isn’t enough fat to make ¼ cup, you can make up the difference by substituting melted butter to still achieve the rich flavor you want. Test Kitchen Tip: For easier fat removal, tip the measuring cup slightly and use a metal spoon to carefully remove the clear fat that rises to the top. You can also use a fat separator tool if you have one handy.
Step 3: Add Flour to the Saucepan
Stir ¼ cup all-purpose flour into the fat in the saucepan. Use a whisk ($6, Walmart) to break up all the flour clumps so the flour and fat can be thoroughly combined (this is called a roux). Add enough chicken broth to the remaining chicken drippings to equal 2 cups of total liquid.
Step 4: Add Drippings to the Saucepan
While continuously whisking, add the mixture of broth and drippings to the flour mixture in the saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture is thick and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more (this extra minute will help cook the floury flavor out of the gravy).
Step 5: Strain and Season Gravy
Strain the homemade chicken gravy into a serving dish to eliminate any lumps. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. What if you don’t think you’ll have enough chicken gravy to go around? You can still make gravy from the chicken drippings as directed in step one. Just add broth to make 4 cups of total liquid to double the recipe. And if there’s not ½ cup of fat from the chicken drippings, you can use additional melted butter to make up the difference, as noted in step two. Serve your homemade chicken gravy alongside classic roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggies for the perfect cozy family dinner.
