This Crockpot Whole Chicken recipe is so easy, and it always yields the juiciest and most tender results. If you need an easy, dependable, and impressive entree, this is the recipe for you. The chicken is cooked to perfection in a slow cooker with fresh herbs, veggies, and more!.
“Absolutely delicious! I followed the directions to the letter and was thrilled with the end result—herb-roasted chicken with tasty vegetables So perfect for a special occasion yet so easy for a week day meal. ” -Paula.
Cooking a whole chicken in the crock pot may seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually quite easy and results in incredibly moist, fall-off-the-bone meat The slow cooker allows the chicken to cook low and slow, breaking down the connective tissues and infusing it with flavor With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can make the most flavorful and tender whole chicken right in your crock pot.
Benefits of Cooking a Whole Chicken in the Crock Pot
There are several advantages to using the crock pot to cook a whole chicken
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Requires minimal prep work. Just season the chicken, put it in the slow cooker, and leave it to cook while you’re gone.
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Infuses the chicken with flavor. Because the meat is cooked for a longer time, the spices and aromatics can really get into it.
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Low, gentle heat breaks down the proteins and connective tissues, making the chicken very moist and tender.
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Whole chickens are budget-friendly. It’s one of the most economical ways to feed a crowd.
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Provides leftovers for multiple meals. Shred and use for tacos, sandwiches, soups, etc.
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Allows you to multitask while it cooks. Set it and go about your day while it cooks unattended.
Tips for Cooking Whole Chicken in the Crock Pot
Follow these tips for foolproof results when cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker:
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Use the right size chicken – Choose a broiler-fryer chicken that’s 4-7 lbs. It should fit comfortably in your crock pot with a little room around it.
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Prep the chicken – Remove giblets, rinse, and pat dry. Truss legs with kitchen string to keep shape.
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Create a flavorful rub – For maximum flavor, rub the chicken all over with olive oil and seasonings like garlic, onion, paprika, salt, pepper, etc.
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Fill the cavity with herbs, garlic, onion, and lemon to make it taste even better.
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Use a rack – Place chicken on a rack over 1 cup broth in crock pot to elevate and prevent sticking/burning.
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Cook on low – Cook for 7-8 hours on low until meat reaches 165°F. The gentle heat prevents overcooking.
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Let rest before serving – Once cooked through, let rest 10-15 minutes before carving for juicy, tender meat.
Simple Whole Chicken Crock Pot Recipe
This straightforward recipe results in a super flavorful, fall-off-the-bone tender whole chicken.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (4-7 lbs)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
- 1⁄2 tsp onion powder
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
- Pat chicken dry and truss legs with string. Rub all over with olive oil.
- In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub spice mix all over chicken, including under skin and in cavity.
- Stuff cavity with lemon quarters and thyme sprigs.
- Place chicken breast-side up on a rack in crock pot. Add broth to crock pot.
- Cook on low heat for 7-8 hours until chicken is fully cooked (165°F).
- Remove chicken and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
The simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and paprika lets the flavor of the chicken shine. Feel free to experiment with other dried herbs and spices like rosemary, oregano, cumin, chili powder, etc. This basic recipe works perfectly every time for moist, flavorful crock pot whole chicken.
Expert Tips for Maximizing Flavor
Use these expert tips and tricks to get the most flavor out of your crock pot chicken:
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Marinate overnight – For more flavor penetration, rub chicken with spices and refrigerate overnight before cooking.
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Season under the skin – Loosen skin and rub seasoning directly onto meat before rubbing skin.
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Brown first – Quickly brown chicken all over in a skillet before slow cooking for deeper flavor.
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Use broth – Replace water with chicken broth to infuse savory flavor.
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Add veggies – Cook aromatics like onions, carrots, and celery alongside chicken.
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Make a sauce – Use pan drippings to make a simple gravy or sauce to serve with chicken.
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Crisp the skin – For crispy skin, broil chicken 10-15 minutes once cooked through.
Common FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making whole chicken in the crock pot:
How long does it take to cook a whole chicken in the crock pot?
- On low heat, cook for 7-8 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Should you cook chicken on high or low?
- Cook on low to prevent overcooking and drying out the meat. High can cause the outer parts to overcook.
Is raw chicken safe to cook in a crock pot?
- Yes, as long as the final internal temperature reaches the proper 165°F it is safe to eat.
Do you need to add liquid to the crock pot?
- One cup of broth in the pot is sufficient. The chicken will release its own juices.
How do you know when the chicken is done?
- Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temp. It should reach 165°F when fully cooked.
Get Creative with Leftovers
Leftover crock pot chicken is extremely versatile. Here are some delicious ways to repurpose it:
- Chicken salad sandwiches
- Quesadillas
- Burritos or fajitas
- Casserole or pot pie
- Soup – chicken noodle, tortilla, etc.
- Stir fry
- Salad topping
The moist, tender meat is perfect for all kinds of dishes. Get creative with the leftovers!
Conclusion
Cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker results in an extremely flavorful, juicy, and tender bird with little hands-on effort. Use the simple tips and recipe in this article for foolproof results. Experiment with different seasonings to make it your own. With the versatility of the leftovers, this budget-friendly meal will feed you for days! Give crock pot whole chicken a try tonight.
How to Make Crockpot Whole Chicken Step by Step
Dry the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Prepare the spice blend: In a small bowl, stir together 1½ tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1½ teaspoons ground paprika, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary. Spread this mixture evenly over the chicken.
Prepare the slow cooker: Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray and add 4 ribs of celery, 3 carrots, 1 onion, 4 sprigs of rosemary, 4 sprigs of thyme, and remaining salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
Put the chicken in the crockpot. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables, breast side up. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.
Broil the chicken: Carefully transfer the chicken to a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush the skin with oil. Broil until the skin is crisp, about 3-5 minutes.
Serve and enjoy: Serve the chicken alongside the veggies.
Store leftover crockpot whole chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 325°F oven in a baking pan drizzled with chicken stock or pan drippings and covered with aluminum foil for 20-25 minutes, until warmed through.
Freeze crockpot whole chicken cut into individual pieces in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
This crockpot whole chicken tastes great the next day in any recipe that calls for a rotisserie chicken. Feel free to use it to make chicken ranch wraps for a weekend lunch, or to prepare a chicken broccoli cheese rice casserole for your next potluck. When it’s cold outside, I use leftovers to make Tuscan chicken soup or a scrumptious chicken pot pie.
Whole Chicken Crockpot Recipe
What should you cook when you have family or friends over and want to make something impressive but also easy? I put a whole chicken in the crockpot and let it cook all night. This simple recipe is great for holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving when I don’t want to cook a turkey or ham. I can still carve some meat without all the work!
You can season your chicken with chicken seasoning or Italian seasoning, but my tried and true seasoning blend of fresh herbs, paprika, salt, and black pepper always satisfies. It’s simple, yet so mouthwatering.
I’ve also added celery, carrots, and onions to cook along with the chicken to lend even more flavor and serve as easy side dishes. Feel free to swap them out or add quartered potatoes to make a complete meal.
- Never use frozen whole chicken in a crockpot. It can stay in the 40°F–140°F temperature danger zone for too long, which raises the risk of getting sick from food. Always let chicken thaw completely in the fridge overnight before cooking it slowly.
- The chicken will make its own juices, so don’t add any extra liquid to the slow cooker.
- Broil the chicken for crispier skin.
- The breasts of a fully cooked chicken should read 160°F and the thighs should read 170°F.
- To keep the juices inside, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before cutting it.