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.
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
Delicious!!! Better and moister than any chicken I’ve made or bought! Have you ever made this in the oven?
I have, though I use an oven bag! Works great. Follow the directions on the bag.
Seemed like a waste to throw away the juice, I’m trying to find a recipe…
Lovely and very soft chicken.
Mine was not good. No flavor (
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!
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
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.
Yes, there will be plenty of liquid (with the butter too). Skin-on chicken has plenty of liquid.
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!
You can make gravy with it, or degrease it and use as chicken stock in another recipe.
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.
Hi there from Dublin, Ireland!@!
Can you add potatoes along with the vegetables and chicken?
Many thanks
Slainte
Barry
Yes, potaotes will work great.
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.
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.
Both are garnish for the photo. Sorry for the confusion.
Super moist chicken breasts as promised, i will always cook them like this from now on – thank you!
Looks so good. Does it take longer to cook if you stuff the chicken?? Thanks
I believe so.
Awesome recipe and easy instructions thanks so much!!!!
Thanks this advice is spot on!