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sliced chicken breast on cutting board with gravy on the side
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4.96 from 24 votes

Roast Chicken Breast with Gravy

It's hard to beat a roast chicken breast dinner with gravy for comfort food. This recipe is easy - only 10 minutes hands-on time - and elegant enough for company.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
resting time10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings (change as needed): 3

Ingredients

  • 1 large double chicken breast i.e. a full breast not split in half (about 2.0-2.5 pounds)
  • 1/2 large onion, peeled, roughly chopped
  • garnish: fresh thyme sprigs or parsley (optional)

Chicken Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon EACH, smoked or regular paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme and kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Gravy (makes 2 cups)

  • 3 tablespoon fat drippings from roasted chicken (or vegetable oil)
  • 2 tablespoon finely chopped green onion (about 1 large)
  • 3 tablespoon flour (rounded/full tbsp)
  • 1/4 cup sherry (or fortified wine, white wine, madiera or dry vermouth)
  • 1 can (14 ounce) chicken broth (undiluted) Note 1
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Brine (optional)

  • 3 cups cool water; 3 tablespoons kosher salt; 1 tablespoon sugar; 5 peppercorns; 1 garlic clove; and 1 teaspoon of dried herbs of your choice (simpler version: use just the water and salt)

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 375F.
  • BRINE CHICKEN (OPTIONAL): Note 2
  • PREPARE CHICKEN: In a small bowl, mix all seasoning ingredients. Rub over chicken, including under the skin (gently separate skin from meat). Place onions in centre of small roasting pan lined with foil and sprayed with oil. Add thyme (or rosemary sprigs) on top if you have. Place chicken breast on top of onions and herbs.
  • ROAST: Roast chicken in oven for 35-50 minutes, depending on size of breast, or until instant thermometer reads 160F (it will rise to 165F with resting). Remove chicken from oven, transfer to plate and loosely cover with foil to keep warm and rest.
    Onions: if desired, increase oven temperature to 425F, pour out most of pan grease (leave a bit) and put back pan with onions to brown for 10 minutes while you make gravy and rest chicken.
  • MAKE GRAVY: While chicken is resting, put 2-3 tablespoons of fat drippings from roasting pan into a small saucepan. (add oil if you don't have enough). Heat to medium high. Add green onions and cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in flour, reduce heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes. (It should be a loose paste. If too dry, add a bit more oil). Add sherry and cook another 2 minutes, stirring. Add broth and water and whisk/stir until smooth. Add herbs. Add salt and pepper to taste. Tip: If you like your gravy browner, add a teaspoon of light soy sauce.
  • SLICE AND SERVE: For an elegant presentation, slice each half of breast off the bone, then slice them horizontally into 1/4-1/2 inch slices (see pictures). Transfer to serving plate along with roasted onions. Drizzle on gravy. Garnish with thyme sprigs or parsley. Pass extra gravy for mashed potatoes or stuffing if desired.

Notes

  • For gravy, I like to use full strength broth (like Campbell's) which means you add your own water. This way I control the depth of flavor. Low salt broth is fine. If you are using homemade broth or ready-to-use broth in a box, omit the water in recipe and add an extra 1/2 cup of broth. You can also substitute broth for the sherry/wine.
  • To Brine Chicken (optional): For more flavorful, juicy chicken, brine it if you have time. Put all brine ingredients (or just salt and water) in a ziploc sealed bag or container. Mix well. Submerge chicken fully in liquid. Let brine in fridge for 2-5 hours in fridge. Then rinse and pat chicken dry.
  • Make Ahead
    • I prefer the chicken fresh, but it can be roasted and hour or two ahead (slightly under-cook it), then reheated whole for 10 minutes in a 350F oven.  Rest the chicken for 10 minutes, then slice before serving.
    • To make the chicken a day ahead, follow the turkey make ahead instructions in tips on keeping foods warm
    • The gravy can be made ahead with oil (instead of fat drippings).  To add flavor, whisk in some drippings from the roasted chicken pan when the chicken is done. Keep in mind, however, that the gravy only takes about 5 minutes to make, so I suggest having all the ingredients ready and making it while the chicken is resting.
 
Nutrition values do not include brining the chicken before roasting. Brining will not add calories, but it will increase the sodium value. 
Serving: 3g | Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 430mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 201IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg