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.
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?!
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- Slow Cooker Cornish Game Hens and Baked Potatoes
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Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Easy recipe how to a cook a great whole chicken in the slow cooker along with a few veggies!
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Servings: 6
Calories: 598kcal
Equipment Needed:
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
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.
- 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.
- 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: 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
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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Thanks for this easy recipe. This is my first time using slow cooker to cook a whole chicken.
This recipe looks amazing!
How long would you suggest putting a 3lb chicken on for? I couldn’t find a 5lb chicken anywhere unfortunately
I would do 6 hours on low and check to see if it’s done.
How about if you add stuffing; would it be too wet?
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/
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.
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?
You can. Probably 5 hours, but be sure it’s cooked through.
Can you substitute the chicken for a turkey?
Or maybe 4 or 5 Cornish Hens?
Would the cooking time be the same?
Hi! Can’t say exactly without testing. I do think both turkey or multiple cornish hens will take a little longer.
My wife and I made this today and it was great! Thank you so much
Great to hear! We make a whole chicken in the slow cooker once a week.
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?
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.
Thank you. Great tips!
I cook them in slow cooker all the time. In fact I have one in there now.
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!!
I would add them at the beginning and leave them whole or in large chunks.
Cook time of 7 hours turn into chicken stew/soup And that was without adding any water Or other liquid
The slow cooker does that. You can save those juices for a soup or make a soup with the leftovers.
Can you recommend a good, large slow cooker to buy? Ideally 10-12 quarts. Thanks!
My Hamilton beach works very wrll
Thank you! So many good tips!
I’m going to try this for thanksgiving instead of Turkey! Wish me luck!
I’m doing the same thing!! I like chicken better.
I love this recipe! I have made this twice already, chicken comes out delicious.
Where is receipe for gravy?
Right above the recipe card I gave two links to gravy recipes.
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