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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 September 7, 2021 51 Comments

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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 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

4.98 from 68 votes
Easy recipe how to a cook a great whole chicken in the slow cooker along with a few veggies!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 598kcal
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: 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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    9376 shares
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    Filed Under: Chicken, Dinner, Whole Chicken

    Comments

    1. Dena says

      April 27, 2022 at 10:58 am

      5 stars
      Delicious!!! Better and moister than any chicken I’ve made or bought! Have you ever made this in the oven?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        April 27, 2022 at 11:28 am

        I have, though I use an oven bag! Works great. Follow the directions on the bag.

        Reply
    2. Marta Gaal says

      April 27, 2022 at 8:50 am

      Seemed like a waste to throw away the juice, I’m trying to find a recipe…
      Lovely and very soft chicken.

      Reply
    3. Anonymous says

      April 26, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      Mine was not good. No flavor (

      Reply
    4. Trish W says

      March 26, 2022 at 9:19 pm

      5 stars
      My crockpot is very old and runs hot so it was done after 6.5 hours on low. It was so easy and delicious, and the breast meat was nice and moist. This is a new favorite for me!

      Reply
    5. DJ says

      February 7, 2022 at 4:22 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe I work so its ready when I get home! I have always roasted a chicken in the oven, this is yummy. I added carrots- onions and potatoes- we love garlic so I added minced garlic- on zero degree day long work hours smells so good coming into the house- I cooked all day! Thank you

      Reply
    6. Valerie says

      January 31, 2022 at 3:33 pm

      Can you use this recipe to cook half a chicken? I have some split chickens. I’m wondering if 1/2 a chicken will produce enough juices so the vegetables underneath do not burn.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 31, 2022 at 8:25 pm

        Yes, there will be plenty of liquid (with the butter too). Skin-on chicken has plenty of liquid.

        Reply
    7. CH says

      January 25, 2022 at 4:50 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 25, 2022 at 6:26 pm

        You can make gravy with it, or degrease it and use as chicken stock in another recipe.

        Reply
    8. Joan says

      December 8, 2021 at 4:20 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    9. Barry kennedy says

      November 21, 2021 at 10:55 pm

      5 stars
      Hi there from Dublin, Ireland!@!

      Can you add potatoes along with the vegetables and chicken?

      Many thanks

      Slainte

      Barry

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 22, 2021 at 9:30 am

        Yes, potaotes will work great.

        Reply
    10. Dani says

      November 14, 2021 at 8:23 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    11. Sarena says

      November 13, 2021 at 3:41 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        November 13, 2021 at 5:46 pm

        Both are garnish for the photo. Sorry for the confusion.

        Reply
    12. Beck & Bulow says

      November 6, 2021 at 11:48 pm

      5 stars
      Super moist chicken breasts as promised, i will always cook them like this from now on – thank you!

      Reply
    13. Carolyn Myers says

      October 29, 2021 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      Looks so good. Does it take longer to cook if you stuff the chicken?? Thanks

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 29, 2021 at 1:42 pm

        I believe so.

        Reply
    14. Bonnie L Lents says

      July 26, 2021 at 5:31 pm

      4 stars
      Awesome recipe and easy instructions thanks so much!!!!

      Reply
    15. Shirley says

      June 19, 2021 at 9:37 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks this advice is spot on!

      Reply
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