Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

This Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe is a great way to make a flavorful, juicy chicken. You can even add veggies to make this a complete meal in your slow cooker! This is such a budget friendly, easy crockpot recipe. With flavorful, tender chicken meat like on a rotisserie style chicken, seasoned chicken skin, and a delicious gravy. Yay for crock pot dinners!

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken is perfect for Sunday dinner, or any day of the week that you have the time to make a roasted chicken the easy way! This is one of our favorite ways to cook a chicken.

With just a few minutes of prep time, this crockpot whole chicken recipe will give you a wonderful main dish to feed the whole family that you only had to put minimal effort in to making!

Can You Put Raw Chicken in a Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a crock pot. It is perfectly safe to cook raw meats in slow cookers and crock pots.

Can I Cook a Frozen Chicken in the Slow Cooker?

• It is generally not recommended to cook a chicken from frozen in a crock pot. The reason is that the meat will spend too much time in the temperature “danger zone” of 40°F-140°F, where bacteria can grow.
• Do some people still say that it is safe to cook chicken from frozen in the slow cooker? Some do. I personally do not advise this.

Can You Overcook Chicken in a Crock Pot?

• Can you overcook chicken in the slow cooker? Yes, it does happen. If the chicken is cooked for too long it can end up dry, and the meat will not be juicy and tender.
• The temperature is the key to knowing when the chicken is fully cooked. A temperature of 165° F or a little higher (about 175° F) is ideal for a fully cooked chicken with juicy results.
• If you make a smaller chicken than this recipe calls for, I recommend cooking for less time.

Do I Need to Add any Liquid to the Slow Cooker?

No, the chicken will release plenty of chicken juices. But if you are unsure, or you want more gravy, you can add 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth.

Do I Need to Brown the Chicken Before Slow Cooking?

• Browning the chicken is optional. This chicken recipe is meant to be slow cooked from raw, however you can brown (or sear) it before cooking the chicken in the slow cooker.
• This can reduce cook time a little, improve visual appearance and give the skin a little more flavor.
• Crisping in the oven on the broil setting after slow cooking works well, also.

How to Make a Slow Cooker Roast Chicken

Ingredients You Will Need:

• 3 to 5 pound Whole Young Chicken
• Salt & Pepper
• Your favorite rub or mix the spices below together:
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Smoked Paprika
• Optional: onion, carrots, celery, or fresh herbs such as fresh rosemary, thyme, etc.

1. Remove the chicken (and any giblets) from the packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Then rub outside of the chicken with the olive oil.
2. In a small bowl, combine the spices.
3. Sprinkle or rub the spice mixture over the entire chicken. Then grasp it by the legs and place chicken in the slow cooker crock.
4. Cover and cook on High for 3-5 hours or Low for 6-8 hours or High for 4-6 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165° F or a little higher (about 175° F). Try not to let it overcook as the meat will come out dry.
5. Cook Time will depend on the size of your chicken.
6. Let the chicken rest about 10 minutes before cutting into it. Serve sliced with some of the drippings over the meat. If desired you can stir in a cornstarch slurry to the hot drippings to thicken the juices into a light gravy (see notes).

To Make a Simple Gravy

A Slow Cooker Whole Chicken yields a fair amount of chicken broth. To make a simple gravy: Mix together 1-2 Tablespoons of cornstarch and 1-2 Tablespoons of cold water (equal amounts). Whisk into the hot drippings in the crock and stir well until thickened.

Can I add Potatoes or Vegetables?

Yes you can. If there is enough room in the slow cooker you can add some onion, potatoes, carrots, other root vegetables, or mushrooms, etc. for a complete meal. Place the chicken on top with the vegetables in the bottom of the slow cooker.

What if I Want a Crispy Skin?

You can crisp the chicken skin as an optional step. After the chicken cooks, transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet pan or a baking dish and broil in the oven for about 5 minutes or until the chicken skin is golden brown and crispy.

Can I Make This in the Pressure Cooker?

• Although slow cooking a chicken gives you a wonderful result, you can also use your Instant Pot to cook a whole chicken.
• Add a cup of chicken stock or water and cook on High pressure and cook for about 6 minutes of cooking time per pound and a 15 minute Natural Release. If you like rotisserie chicken, you will like either method.
• The Instant Pot does have a slow cook function, but it does not compare to an actual crock pot. If you try it, use the highest temperature setting and allow for extra time. Models of IPs vary.

More Chicken Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken Stew
Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken

What to Make with Leftover Chicken Meat

Here are some chicken recipes you can make with leftover chicken.
• Chicken Salad
• Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
• Shredded Chicken Tacos
• Use for Meal prep
• Bone Broth (from the bones)

Storing Leftover Cooked Chicken

Place leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To Freeze Leftover Chicken

Wrap the chicken in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, or an airtight container. Freeze up to 3 months.

I think this is one of the easiest slow cooker chicken recipes out there, with amazing results! I hope you will give this Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe a try. This is so versatile and allows you to make a meal with less stress!

If you make this easy meal of a slow-cooker roast chicken recipe, please let me know. You can leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d like to know how you liked it!

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken is an easy way to cook a delicious, juicy whole chicken. Make a simple gravy from the drippings!

5 from 1 vote

Print Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken in the slow cooker, crock pot chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Resting Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 195kcal

Author: Sandy

Equipment

• 6 quart Slow Cooker

Ingredients

• 4 lbs Fresh Whole Chicken (or between 4-6 pounds)
• 2 teaspoons Olive Oil

Spice Rub (or use your favorite blend)

• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Pepper
• ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
• ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
• Fresh Herbs: Rosemary, Thyme, etc. optional

Instructions

• Remove the chicken (and any giblets) from the packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Then rub chicken with the olive oil.
• Sprinkle the spices over the whole chicken. Then grasp it by the legs and place it in the slow cooker crock.
• Cook on High for 4-6 hours, or Low 6-8 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the deepest part of the thigh reads 165°F or a little higher (175°F). Try not to let it overcook as the meat will come out dry. Cook time will depend on how large the chicken is.
• Let the chicken rest about 10 minutes before cutting into it. Serve sliced with some of the drippings over the meat. If desired you can stir in a cornstarch slurry to the hot drippings to thicken the juices into a light gravy (see notes).

Notes

Add Veggies to the bottom of the pot if desired: Onion, potatoes, celery, carrot, etc.

 

To Make a Simple Gravy

Mix together 1-2 Tablespoons of cornstarch and 1-2 Tablespoons of cold water (equal amounts). Whisk into the hot drippings in the crock and stir well until thickened.

Nutrition

Serving: 3oz | Calories: 195kcal