Slow-cooking a whole chicken delivers an effortless one-pot meal with fall-off-the-bone, juicy chicken, flavorful gravy, and healthy vegetables. Break out the slow cooker for the best meal on your rotation. Show your love with tender homemade chicken that’s better than anything from the store.
Chicken has always been our go-to dinner, not only because it’s economical but because it’s delicious and nutritious. Plus, slow cooking intensifies the flavor and doesn’t take a lot of MY time.
It was one of those days I knew was going to get crazy, so I loaded my slow cooker with all the goodness I could and took off. Getting everything ready in the morning (or the night before) and letting the Crock-Pot do its job was a simple way to cook good food for my family. Coming home to the wonderful aroma of a home-cooked meal was priceless.
You Can Cook a Whole Chicken in a Crock-Pot
Of course, it depends on the size of your slow cooker, but a 6-quart oval cooker is ideal. If you have a round one or smaller Crock-Pot, then you may want to do half a chicken or cut it into serving-size pieces. Another option for smaller slow cookers is a Cornish hen. Either way, it’s a convenient alternative to roast chicken without heating the oven.
How to Slow Cook a Whole Chicken
- Clean – Remove the giblets (save for another recipe) from the chicken, rinse it inside and out with water, and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Season the whole chicken inside and out with salt, pepper, and bouillon powder. Cover it generously with homemade Creole seasoning. Add garlic and lemon slices, then let the mixture marinate in the fridge. You can do this up to 24 hours ahead. (Photos 1-2)
- Load Cooker – Remove chicken from the fridge when ready to cook. Put the sliced onions, the rest of the garlic, and the bay leaves at the bottom of the slow cooker. Put the chicken on top.
- Assemble – Tuck the potatoes, celery, and carrots into the available space around the chicken. Then add the thyme. (Photo 3)
- Cook – Cover the slow cooker, set it to high, and cook the chicken for 2½-3½ hours. Or cook it for 4-5 hours on low. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and type of chicken you are using. The internal temperature should register 165℉ (75℃) in the thickest part of the breast or 175-180℉ (80-85℃) in the thickest part of the thigh. (Photo 4)
- Optional – To crisp up the skin, carefully transfer the chicken to a roasting pan and broil it in the oven for 5-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it stand for 10 minutes before carving so the juices redistribute throughout the meat.
- Serve – Discard the bay leaves, smashed garlic, and lemon, and enjoy.
Recipe Tips
- If you want crispy chicken skin and can spare 5-8 minutes, drizzle it with a little olive oil and broil it for a beautiful brown color.
- Check the internal temperature with a cooking thermometer to make sure the chicken cooks through. The internal temperature should register 165℉ (75℃) in the thickest part of the breast or 175-180℉ (80-85℃) in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Adjust the cooking time to your schedule. A 5-6 pound chicken set on HIGH takes 2½-3½ hours and 4-5 hours on LOW. The actual cooking time depends on your slow cooker, the size of the chicken, and your altitude.
What to Pair With Slow Cooker Chicken
Aside from being the perfect meal on weekdays, it’s a great main course for special occasions and holidays. Green bean casserole and a Greek salad turn it into a healthy holiday meal. More roasted vegetables on a chilly fall evening are also a fantastic way to enjoy that tasty gravy.
More Easy and Economical Chicken Recipes
This blog post was originally published in August 2018 and has been updated with additional tips and beautiful photos
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