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.
CH says
Great recipe! What do you do with the liquid after the chicken is done? Seems like a waste to toss it, though it is more greasy than my usual preference!
Sarah Olson says
You can make gravy with it, or degrease it and use as chicken stock in another recipe.
GMJ says
4 out of 5 stars B/C just needs to have seasonings upped. BUT that is an easy tweak.
BUT to answer that question on what to do with all that broth : when cool enough to handle , pour all that broth into a bowl through a fine wire type strainer chill overnight. Then shim off fat on the very top layer. DO NOT toss out that jelly like stuff just below the top. That is the protein packed base for a good stock !!!! It turns back into broth when heated. Use it for any recipe calling for chicken broth or stock. Personally I go one step further. I save all those bones in a freezer bag for another day. Then when making a true stock, I add them to a crock pot with broth and let cook on low for at least 4 more hours. Seems like a lot of work…BUT not really. .Just strain and save broth. Then freeze the bones. Food is WAY too pricey to toss out. PLUS the only way to get that rich stock is to make it. WAY cheaper and MUCH more nutritious than anything you can buy. Search chicken stock recipes
Joan says
E best and so good and easy! 3-4 meals for the 2 of us. Hot dinner, salad, sandwich, soup. And an aroma in the house that is mouthwatering.
Barry kennedy says
Hi there from Dublin, Ireland!@!
Can you add potatoes along with the vegetables and chicken?
Many thanks
Slainte
Barry
Sarah Olson says
Yes, potaotes will work great.
Dani says
I make this chicken at the beginning of every week and use the shredded meat throughout the week for other meals! I am a full time, married student so this is a no-fuss but delicious recipe. I add some balsamic as well, but either way, the chicken and veggies are delicious and versatile throughout week.
Sarena says
You listed lemon juice but there are whole slices in some of the pictures. Are those and the rosemary just added in for the picture after it is done or do you recommend putting them in whole? I have some of both but I didn’t want to add in too much lemon.
Sarah Olson says
Both are garnish for the photo. Sorry for the confusion.
Beck & Bulow says
Super moist chicken breasts as promised, i will always cook them like this from now on – thank you!
Carolyn Myers says
Looks so good. Does it take longer to cook if you stuff the chicken?? Thanks
Sarah Olson says
I believe so.
Bonnie L Lents says
Awesome recipe and easy instructions thanks so much!!!!
Shirley says
Thanks this advice is spot on!
Anonymous says
Thanks for this easy recipe. This is my first time using slow cooker to cook a whole chicken.
Amanda says
This recipe looks amazing!
How long would you suggest putting a 3lb chicken on for? I couldn’t find a 5lb chicken anywhere unfortunately
Sarah Olson says
I would do 6 hours on low and check to see if it’s done.
Constance says
How about if you add stuffing; would it be too wet?
Sarah Olson says
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/