When You Need Low Calorie Chicken Gravy To Brighten a Simple Dinner

Sometimes, a meal feels almost complete—almost. That’s when a drizzle of gravy can turn a plain chicken dish into something worth savoring. This low calorie chicken gravy is one of those little kitchen magic tricks: it adds moisture, warmth, and flavor without the heaviness that usually comes with traditional gravies.

I remember one evening when I was rushing to finish dinner and almost skipped the gravy. But then I chopped a shallot and garlic, their aroma filling the kitchen and pulling me back from distraction. Stirring the broth with thyme and pepper, watching the sauce thicken slowly, I felt a quiet satisfaction. It wasn’t perfect—my timing was off, and I had to adjust the heat a couple of times—but that’s the charm. The subtle hints of garlic and herbs made the whole meal come alive, even if the rest of the kitchen looked like I’d just survived a storm.

Why You’ll Love It:

• It’s light yet flavorful, offering a satisfying sauce without extra calories.
• Simple ingredients come together quickly, perfect for weeknights when time is short.
• The texture is silky but not overly thick—just enough to coat your chicken beautifully.
• It’s simple—and that’s kind of the point. No complicated steps or hard-to-find items.
• Because it’s low sodium broth based, you can easily adjust seasoning to your taste, but it might need a little extra salt depending on your preference.

If you’re worried about making gravy from scratch, this one is forgiving. It’s not about perfection, but about adding that cozy touch to your dinner. And leftovers? They reheat nicely, so you get second-day comfort without any extra work.

Low Calorie Chicken Gravy

Print Recipe

A light and flavorful low calorie chicken gravy made with simple ingredients, perfect for adding moisture and taste to your meals without extra calories.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 6

Ingredients

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2 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 small shallot, finely minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/8 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and cold water until fully dissolved to create a slurry.
Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Add the minced shallot and garlic to the saucepan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Pour in the low sodium chicken broth and stir to combine with the shallots and garlic.
Add the black pepper, dried thyme, and salt to the saucepan and stir well.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.
Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry to the simmering broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
Continue to cook and stir for 3-5 minutes until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
Remove from heat and serve warm over chicken or your favorite dishes.

Kitchen Notes: You don’t need special tools—just a good pan and a whisk to keep things smooth while thickening. This gravy pairs beautifully with roasted or grilled chicken, but I’ve also tried it over steamed veggies when I wanted a little extra flavor. Sometimes I swap the dried thyme for fresh herbs if I have them on hand, though I’m not always sure it makes a huge difference. A splash of lemon juice at the end can brighten it up, but I usually skip that step if I’m short on time.

FAQ:

Can I make this gravy ahead of time? Yes, store it in the fridge up to three days and reheat gently. Adding a bit of broth or water helps if it thickens too much.

Is cornstarch the only thickener that works? I haven’t tested others extensively, but cornstarch gives a nice clear finish without cloudiness.

Can I use this gravy for other meats? Absolutely. It works well with turkey or pork too, though the flavor might feel a bit lighter than traditional gravies for those meats.

Give this low calorie chicken gravy a try next time your meal needs a little lift. You might just find it becomes your go-to, especially on busy nights when you want something comforting but simple.