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 Whole Beer Chicken
- 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
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:
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 Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Lin says
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.
Sarah says
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?
Sarah Olson says
You can. Probably 5 hours, but be sure it’s cooked through.
Lynn says
Can you substitute the chicken for a turkey?
Or maybe 4 or 5 Cornish Hens?
Would the cooking time be the same?
Sarah Olson says
Hi! Can’t say exactly without testing. I do think both turkey or multiple cornish hens will take a little longer.
Rick Nickell says
My wife and I made this today and it was great! Thank you so much
Sarah Olson says
Great to hear! We make a whole chicken in the slow cooker once a week.
Pam says
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?
Sarah Olson says
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.
Pam says
Thank you. Great tips!
Sheila says
I cook them in slow cooker all the time. In fact I have one in there now.
Gaby says
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!!
Sarah Olson says
I would add them at the beginning and leave them whole or in large chunks.
Cheryl says
Cook time of 7 hours turn into chicken stew/soup And that was without adding any water Or other liquid
Sarah Olson says
The slow cooker does that. You can save those juices for a soup or make a soup with the leftovers.
Binah says
Can you recommend a good, large slow cooker to buy? Ideally 10-12 quarts. Thanks!
Debra says
My Hamilton beach works very wrll
Lori Botuchis says
Thank you! So many good tips!
Favour Maduagwu says
I’m going to try this for thanksgiving instead of Turkey! Wish me luck!
Kimberly says
I’m doing the same thing!! I like chicken better.
Carmella says
I love this recipe! I have made this twice already, chicken comes out delicious.
Betsy Reeder says
Where is receipe for gravy?
Sarah Olson says
Right above the recipe card I gave two links to gravy recipes.
Steven A Paleck says
stellar