Mississippi chicken is a simple and delicious one pot meal made with shredded chicken and a tangy savory gravy.
This Mississippi chicken recipe is a spin on traditional Mississippi pot roast that is super popular with our readers! I knew we’d all love this one too! We like to serve our Mississippi chicken over baked rice and with edible cookie dough for dessert.
Mississippi Chicken
Mississippi Chicken
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Easy to make in the Instant Pot or slow cooker.
📌 Use chicken breasts, chicken thighs or a combination of both!
📌 The flavorful mix of the au jus gravy and ranch seasoning packet is tangy perfection.
Mississippi Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken – Boneless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs.
- Butter – Unsalted, sliced.
- Seasoning – Au jus gravy packet, ranch seasoning packet.
- Pepperoncinis – Whole or sliced, to taste.
- Liquid – Any type of broth, water or even the pepperoncini juice.
- Optional – Cornstarch and water to thicken the gravy.
How do you make Mississippi chicken? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, place the chicken in the bottom of your cooking vessel and then pour in the liquid. Sprinkle the au jus mix and ranch seasoning mix over the chicken. Place the slices of butter on top and add the pepperoncinis.
⭐ Next, cook until chicken shreds easily.
⭐ Then, remove the chicken from the pot and shred. If thicker gravy is desired, mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry and add to the hot liquid.
⭐ Finally, return the chicken to the pot and give it a good mix.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can you make Mississippi chicken ahead of time?
You can absolutely make this a day or two in advance! Just store the cooked meat in a sealed container in the fridge and heat it up on the stove top or in the microwave before serving.
Can I substitute the au jus mix for brown gravy?
In a pinch you can substitute the au jus packet for a brown gravy packet, but if you have the choice, go for the au jus!
Breast meat or thighs for Mississippi chicken?
We used breast meat in the pictured recipe, but you can absolutely use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. You can also use a combination of breast meat and thigh meat.
How do you thicken the gravy?
- Cornstarch – My favorite way to thicken the Mississippi roast gravy is with a cornstarch slurry. Mix together equal parts cornstarch and cold water, then add them to the drippings in 1 – 2 tablespoon increments while they are simmering. Continue adding until you reach your desired consistency.
- Flour – You can use flour to thicken with the same method as cornstarch (above), I find it takes more flour and you’ll need to simmer longer when compared.
- Potato flakes – This is the easiest way to thicken! Stir in plain dehydrated potato flakes until you get to a consistency you like.
Cooking methods
How do you make Mississippi chicken in an instant pot?
For the instant pot you’ll want to add your ingredients to the inner liner of your pot (6 quart or larger), then pour liquid. Cover and set to sealing. Cook on manual (high pressure), then natural pressure release. Scroll down to the printable recipe card below for detailed directions!
How do you make it in a crockpot?
To make crock pot Mississippi chicken, you’ll want to add all your ingredients to the ceramic insert of the crock pot (6 quart or larger), then cover and cook until meat shreds easily. Scroll down to the printable recipe card below for detailed directions!
Can you make it in the oven?
You can absolutely make this in the oven as well. For best results, you’ll want to use a heavy cast iron dutch oven, 6 quart capacity or larger. Add all your ingredients to the dutch oven, then cover and cook until meat shreds easily. Scroll down to the printable recipe card below for detailed directions!
Storage and leftovers
How long does Mississippi chicken last?
This will keep in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days or longer in the freezer. Store in an airtight container.
Can you freeze Mississippi chicken?
Yes! Allow the chicken to cool, then store in an air-tight freezer safe container for up to 3 months. It will be safe to eat for up to a year, but the flavor will be best if eaten sooner.
Tips and tricks
✅ Use breast meat to keep it lean or thigh meat if you like a more moist chicken. Or a combination of the two is also great!
✅ Make a double batch and freeze some for an easy dinner later.
✅ Use your electric mixer to shred the chicken easily!
✅ You can either use whole pepperoncinis or sliced, whatever you prefer.
✅ Add the cornstarch and water slurry to thicken the sauce if desired.
Frequently asked questions
Is this dish spicy?
Mississippi chicken is not spicy (think tangy rather than spicy), but if you are looking to make it spicy, feel free to add more pepperoncinis or even some pickled jalapenos!
What kind of liquid is best to use for the 1 cup of liquid?
We used ½ cup of pepperoncini juice and ½ cup of water and it turned out great! But you can also use chicken broth or chicken stock.
Can you make it with frozen chicken?
Mississippi pot roast can be made with frozen meat when using the instant pot to cook it. We do not suggest cooking from frozen in the slow cooker or oven as you run the risk of the meat sitting at an unsafe temperature for too long.
What to enjoy with Mississippi chicken (serving suggestions)
This is such a simple meal to make and is so versatile in how it can be served! Enjoy it over some creamy mashed potatoes, Instant Pot rice, or on a piece of sourdough bread!
More delicious chicken recipes
- Air fryer garlic parmesan chicken
- Crockpot chicken gnocchi soup
- Cashew chicken
- Marry me chicken
- 40 clove garlic chicken
- Bourbon chicken
- Caprese chicken
- Chicken parmesan
- See all our easy chicken recipes!
Tools we love
- Instant pot pressure cooker – Mine is a 6 quart basic model, but there are lots of bigger, smaller, and fancier options to choose.
- Enameled cast iron dutch oven – The original slow cooker. Every kitchen needs this beast. Perfect for everything from soups to roasts and even bread. Goes from stove top to oven and looks good doing it!
- Crock pot slow cooker – These guys took slow cooking to the next level and let you set it and forget it without heating up the whole house.
- Stand mixer – Perfect for shredding chicken easily.
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How to Make Mississippi Chicken
Mississippi Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken
- ½ cup butter sliced
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 6 to 12 pepperoncinis to taste
- 1 cup liquid* we used half water and half pepperoncini juice, chicken broth or stock is also a good option!
- corn starch slurry (optional) (2 tablespoons water + 2 tablespoons cornstarch)
Instructions
- Place the chicken in the cooking vessel. Add your liquid, then sprinkle the ranch and au jus seasonings over it. Place the butter and pepperoncinis on top.
- INSTANT POT: Close lid and set to 'sealing'. Cook on manual (high pressure) for 10 minutes, then natural pressure release for 10 minutes.
- SLOW COOKER: Cover and cook on high 4-5 hours, or low 6-7 hours, or until chicken shreds easily.
- OVEN: Cover and cook at 275℉ for about 4 hours, or until roast shreds easily.
- To thicken, stir corn starch slurry into simmering juices and whisk. Shred and serve in the gravy with extra pepperoncinis, if desired.
Notes
- Cook time - Most electric pressure cookers take about 10 - 15 minutes to come to pressure. The inputted cook time will begin after the pot is pressurized.
- Natural pressure release - Hit cancel and walk away from the pot. It will slowly naturally depressurize. Depending on the contents this can take anywhere between 10 - 20 minutes for a full natural release.
- Quick release - Turn the dial at the top of your pot to allow the pressure to release quickly. Always use a long handled utensil for this to avoid steam burns. Do not quick release under cabinets or you may cause steam/water damage. If there is sputtering, quickly turn dial back to 'sealing' and allow it to naturally depressurize a few minutes before trying again.
Nutrition
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Mississippi Chicken
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Gina says
Soooooo juicy and flavorful – everyone was raving!!!!!!!
Sandra says
Made this last night for the first time and we all loved it! Definitely will be in our weekly menu!
Erin says
Such a delicious meal! I would love to make this again!
Janelle says
Oh wow this was soooo tasty!! Gonna have to save this one!
Catalina says
The Mississippi Chicken recipe was a lifesaver on a busy weekday. It was so easy to put together, and the flavor payoff was amazing!
Katerina Petrovska says
It was so easy to prepare, and the slow cooker did all the work. A definite must-try for a comforting and delicious meal that’s a little bit different from the usual.
Beti Micevska says
Definitely a keeper for those days when you want something hearty and flavorful with minimal effort. It was super easy to make, especially with the slow cooker doing most of the work.