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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Chicken » Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

by Sarah Olson on August 31, 2021 | Updated January 23, 2023 86 Comments

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collage of whole chicken images with text of ingredients.
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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 Whole Beer Chicken
  • Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken and Squash – Recipe by Real Housemoms
  • Slow Cooker Cornish Game Hens and Baked Potatoes

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

4.97 from 123 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
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours hours
Total Time: 8 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 979kcal
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.
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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 Information:

Calories: 979kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 71g | Fat: 72g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 28g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 324mg | Sodium: 803mg | Potassium: 908mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 7886IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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    11969 shares
    • 5640
    • 1

    Filed Under: Chicken, Dinner, Whole Chicken

    Comments

    1. Mose Tucker says

      August 21, 2023 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      I made this with a few different things, I lined the slow cooker with baby carrots with the onions and instead of 8 hrs I cooked it 4 hours and it was absolutely delicious.

      Thanks

      Reply
      • Marcia Adatto says

        September 17, 2023 at 3:20 pm

        4 stars
        I made this today and was quite please with it. I removed the SKIN from the bird, followed the recipe but also adding fresh thyme and rosemary from my garden. Do NOT omit the fresh lemon OR the butter. I tucked some of the red potatoes into the cavity and all worked out very well.

        Reply
    2. Jen says

      August 18, 2023 at 8:52 am

      Can the chicken be cooked from frozen? I’m gone all day and don’t want to overcook it.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 18, 2023 at 5:39 pm

        Some studies suggest cooking frozen meats in the slow cooker isn’t safe. I think a chicken would be in the danger zone too long.

        Reply
    3. Anonymous says

      August 13, 2023 at 5:54 pm

      Chicken was way too dry after 7 hr on low. Maybe stop and check the temp after 4-5 hrs.

      Reply
    4. Nancy says

      June 25, 2023 at 12:03 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the tips

      Reply
    5. Carol D says

      May 22, 2023 at 1:49 pm

      I made a whole turkey breast in the slow cooker this way without any water and it was the best turkey I’ve ever eaten. Like you, I just seasoned it and added butter and lemon juice. I was a little frightened at the time ’cause I was afraid the heat was going to break my crockpot, without the liquid , but it didn’t. That was years ago but I never tried it again because I was so stressed due to my worries at the time. I’ve wanted to try it again though since it was so moist, tender and delicious.

      Reply
    6. Anonymous says

      May 12, 2023 at 4:57 pm

      Chicken was so dry. Won’t be doing this way again.

      Reply
    7. Anonymous says

      April 1, 2023 at 5:53 pm

      7 hours was way to long. Set it and left a timer. White meat was dry and dark meat disintegrated

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 1, 2023 at 7:05 pm

        You’ll need to adjust the time next time.

        Reply
    8. Tony says

      March 27, 2023 at 4:17 am

      5 stars
      Made this with carrots, onions and sweet potatoes and 3 pickled chillies. Used fresh thyme instead of dry and chilly flakes with the garlic powder over the top.

      Also, instead of melting all the butter I put half of it inside the chicken along with the lemon skins after juicing them.

      Also removed some of the juices, without the butter and reduced it to make a jus instead of gravy. I started it a bit late in the day so put it on high for 2 hours then low for 4.

      The most delicious, succulent and flavourful chicken meal I have ever had. I did have a moment of terror when, while lifting the chicken out with the tongs, I thought all the flesh would fall off the bones before I got it onto the cutting board. A very nice problem to have, I must say.

      Reply
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