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Home » Chicken » Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

by Sarah Olson on September 22, 2020 | Updated December 21, 2020 24 Comments

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close up image of a whole chicken in it's juices.
collage of images of whole chicken with text overlay

Forget buying a rotisserie chicken at the store and make this simple and chemical-free Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.

We rarely buy precooked chicken at the store anymore and instead make this classic whole chicken recipe or whole chicken and stuffing.

close up of a cooked whole chicken with lemon and rosemary in a slow cooker

How to make a whole chicken in a crock pot:

  • Whole chicken – Be sure to pick a smaller sized bird. One that will fit in your slow cooker along with veggies. I try to find one in the 4-5 pound range.
  • Veggies – I use onion and carrots as a base to set my chicken on, this keeps the chicken out of enough of the juices so it doesn’t get completely soggy while cooking (or turn into a soup!)
  • Butter – Just like a turkey at thanksgiving chicken is great basted with butter.
  • Seasonings – Salt, pepper, thyme, garlic powder, and paprika.
  • Lemon Juice – I add this for a little tang and who doesn’t love lemon on chicken?!
raw chicken, seasonings, melted butter and vegetables on a wooden table.
  • Add your veggies on the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Place the whole chicken on top.
  • Drizzle over melted butter and lemon juice.
  • Sprinkle over the seasonings.
carrots and red onion in a slow cooker

Should I add water?

  • There is no need to add water to a whole chicken recipe in the slow cooker.
  • Adding butter or lemon juice is better for infusing flavor. Unless you want poached chicken, do not add water. Adding water can make your whole chicken taste bland.
whole chicken on top of vegetables in a slow cooker.

How long do I cook?

  • Place the lid on the slow cooker.
  • Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • Cooking time varies for a whole chicken can vary in size.
  • You will know the chicken is cooked through when the drumsticks start separating from the breasts and the juices run clear.
seasonings on top of a whole chicken in a slow cooker.

Does the slow cooker brown or crisp the chicken?

  • No, the slow cooker can not brown food for there is no browning element.
  • I use paprika to give a browned look for my whole chicken recipes.
  • You can put your slow cooked chicken under a broiler in an oven if you want crispy skin. Be sure your slow cooker is rated for such high temperature first, or place the chicken on a sheet pan.
finished cooking whole chicken in a slow cooker

What instead can I put with under a whole chicken to hold it out of the juices?

The reason we place something like carrots and onion under the chicken is to keep it out of the cooking liquid so it doesn’t turn into a soup. Try one of these methods if you prefer something other than carrots and onion.

  • Foil balls – You can take sheets of foil and ball them up. About 5 works well.
  • Small metal rack (such as the rack included in an instant pot)
  • Potatoes – Quartered potatoes also work well.
whole cooked chicken in a slow cooker with lemons

How do I make gravy from the drippings?

You can make a wonderful gravy from the drippings from this whole chicken. Try one of these options:

  • Gravy made with flour – Recipe from The Spruce Eats
  • Gravy made with cornstarch – Recipe from Loaves and Dishes
  • Or use the drippings instead of water with a chicken gravy packet.
sliced chicken, mashed potatoes, corn and carrots on plate

More whole chicken recipes for your slow cooker:

  • Slow Cooker Whole Chicken and Stuffing
  • Slow Cooker Whole Chicken and Rice – Recipe by Julie’s Eats and Treats
  • Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Butternut Squash
  • Slow Cooker Engagement Chicken with Gravy
  • Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken and Squash – Recipe by Real Housemoms

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

close up image of a whole chicken in it's juices.

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

4.95 from 20 votes
Easy recipe how to a cook a great whole chicken in the slow cooker along with a few veggies!
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: slow cooker whole chicken
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 598kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 5 lb. small whole chicken (look for a chicken that is on the smaller size around 4-5 lbs.)
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 lemon (optional)
  • 4 carrots peeled and halved
  • 1 red onion peeled and quartered
  • 1/2 tsp. dried thyme (rosemary or oregano can be substituted)
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Add the carrots and onion to the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Remove the chicken from its packaging. Remove any extra parts or packaging from the inside of the chicken. Drain off any liquid from the inside of the chicken.
  • Add the chicken on top of the vegetables.
  • Pour over the melted butter over the chicken.
  • Cut the lemon in half and squeeze over the chicken.
  • Sprinkle over the seasonings evenly.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker.
  • Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours. This can vary for each chicken you cook, for they can vary in size. You know the chicken is done cooking when the drumsticks start pulling away from the breasts and the juices run clear. If you are concerned if your chicken is done, use a thermometer. 165° Fahrenheit is the safe temperature for chicken.

How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

Should I add water?
  • There is no need to add water to a whole chicken recipe in the slow cooker.
  • Adding butter or lemon juice is better for infusing flavor. Unless you want poached chicken, do not add water. Adding water can make your whole chicken taste bland.
What instead can I use to raise the chicken out of the cooking liquid?
The reason we place something like carrots and onion under the chicken is to keep it out of the cooking liquid so it doesn’t turn into a soup. Try one of these methods if you prefer something other than carrots and onion.
  • Foil balls – You can take sheets of foil and ball them up. About 5 works well.
  • Small metal rack (such as the rack included in an instant pot)
  • Potatoes – Quartered potatoes also work well.
Does the slow cooker brown or crisp the chicken?
  • No, the slow cooker can not brown food for there is no browning element.
  • I use paprika to give a browned look for my whole chicken recipes.
  • You can put your slow cooked chicken under a broiler in an oven if you want crispy skin. Be sure your slow cooker is rated for such high temperature first, or place the chicken on a sheet pan.

Nutrition:

Calories: 598kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 81g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 283mg | Sodium: 922mg | Potassium: 1590mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 7582IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 2mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
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    Filed Under: Chicken, Dinner, Whole Chicken Tagged With: Crock pot, crockpot, dinner, slow cooker, whole chicken

    Comments

    1. Constance says

      April 3, 2021 at 4:40 pm

      How about if you add stuffing; would it be too wet?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 3, 2021 at 8:08 pm

        This is the recipe I use. I take out the chicken and measure out the drippings to make the stuffing. https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-whole-chicken-with-stuffing/

        Reply
    2. Lin says

      March 25, 2021 at 5:24 am

      5 stars
      I’d have saved you a picture, but my family devoured it! Daughter tells me to make chicken like this always! Thank you for sharing this recipe! I loved the tip about the lemon, it made an amazing difference in taste that I really liked. Definitely will make this again.

      Reply
    3. Sarah says

      March 10, 2021 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      I love all your recipes and looking forward to trying this one! Can I cook this on high for a shorter time? Or start it on low and move it to high?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        March 10, 2021 at 11:24 am

        You can. Probably 5 hours, but be sure it’s cooked through.

        Reply
    4. Rick Nickell says

      February 5, 2021 at 6:42 pm

      My wife and I made this today and it was great! Thank you so much

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 5, 2021 at 10:01 pm

        Great to hear! We make a whole chicken in the slow cooker once a week.

        Reply
    5. Pam says

      February 1, 2021 at 9:01 pm

      In the past I read not to cook a whole chicken in a crock pot. They indicated it cannot cook thoroughly. Is this inaccurate or out dated info?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        February 1, 2021 at 9:36 pm

        You definitely need to check for doneness and do not cook from frozen. Keep the lid on. It’s pretty common to cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker.

        Reply
        • Pam says

          February 2, 2021 at 10:42 am

          Thank you. Great tips!

          Reply
      • Sheila says

        February 8, 2021 at 9:46 am

        I cook them in slow cooker all the time. In fact I have one in there now.

        Reply
    6. Gaby says

      January 31, 2021 at 7:40 am

      Can I add fresh mushrooms to this recipe? If so when at the begin or at the last hour? Thank you so guidance. I appreciate it!!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 31, 2021 at 3:59 pm

        I would add them at the beginning and leave them whole or in large chunks.

        Reply
    7. Cheryl says

      December 13, 2020 at 5:26 pm

      4 stars
      Cook time of 7 hours turn into chicken stew/soup And that was without adding any water Or other liquid

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        December 13, 2020 at 5:32 pm

        The slow cooker does that. You can save those juices for a soup or make a soup with the leftovers.

        Reply
    8. Binah says

      December 9, 2020 at 11:13 am

      Can you recommend a good, large slow cooker to buy? Ideally 10-12 quarts. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Debra says

        December 18, 2020 at 8:10 am

        My Hamilton beach works very wrll

        Reply
    9. Lori Botuchis says

      December 3, 2020 at 7:28 am

      5 stars
      Thank you! So many good tips!

      Reply
    10. Favour Maduagwu says

      November 22, 2020 at 2:44 am

      5 stars
      I’m going to try this for thanksgiving instead of Turkey! Wish me luck!

      Reply
      • Kimberly says

        November 26, 2020 at 11:06 am

        I’m doing the same thing!! I like chicken better.

        Reply
    11. Carmella says

      October 25, 2020 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! I have made this twice already, chicken comes out delicious.

      Reply
    12. Betsy Reeder says

      October 3, 2020 at 6:03 pm

      Where is receipe for gravy?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 3, 2020 at 6:14 pm

        Right above the recipe card I gave two links to gravy recipes.

        Reply
    13. Steven A Paleck says

      September 28, 2020 at 7:22 am

      5 stars
      stellar

      Reply

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