Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
106 Comments Aug 31, 2021
Updated Apr 13, 2025
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Skip the store-bought rotisserie chicken and make this easy, homemade Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with wholesome, fresh ingredients.
We rarely buy precooked chicken at the store anymore and instead make this classic whole chicken recipe or whole chicken and stuffing.
A whole chicken is one of the most budget-friendly options at the store! I like to grab one on sale and stash it in the freezer, then thaw it later for an easy, homestyle crockpot chicken dinner. It’s a simple way to get tender, flavorful meat and a built-in side of savory veggies with minimal effort!
What you need:
- 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. We make our Alabama Chicken Sandwiches with a whole chicken as well!
- Veggies – I use onion and carrots as a base to set my chicken on. This keeps the chicken out of enough juice so it doesn’t get utterly 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?!
- {The Full Recipe is in the recipe card below the images}
How to make a whole chicken in a crock pot:
- 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.
- 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.
FAQs
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.
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.
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:
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken and Stuffing – Must try if you like stove-top stuffing.
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Butternut Squash – A very autumn recipe.
- Slow Cooker Engagement Chicken with Gravy – this recipe has an amazing homemade gravy!
- Slow Cooker Whole Beer Chicken – Has a unique and earthy flavor.
- Slow Cooker Cornish Game Hens and Baked Potatoes – 3 Cornish game hens and 3 baked potatoes in one pot!
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
How to Video
Ingredients
- 5 lb. small whole chicken, (look for a chicken that is on the smaller size around 4-5 lbs.)
- ½ cup butter
- 1 lemon, (optional)
- 4 carrots, peeled and halved
- 1 red onion, peeled and quartered
- ½ tsp. dried thyme, (rosemary or oregano can be substituted)
- 1 tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. paprika
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ 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.
Sarah’s Notes
- 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
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
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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