How to make the best slow cooker whole chicken that tastes just like a rotisserie style chicken with vegetables. Easy CrockPot dinner recipe that you can make from scratch in 10 minutes or less!
Raising 3 kids and working on a tight budget, chicken has always been our go-to weeknight dinner recipe. Sometimes we’ll make baked chicken drumsticks, but most often we make this slow cooker whole chicken recipe. You can fit a lot of food in a slow cooker, and so we usually have plenty of leftovers to eat on the rest of the week. Of course, if you didn’t remember to put your chicken in the slow cooker, you can also cook whole chicken in the Instant Pot in just 30 minutes.
I love cooking whole chicken in the slow cooker because you can just set it and forget it. Add your chicken and veggies to the Crock Pot in the morning, and dinner will be ready to go by the time you get home from work. It also pairs well with so many side dishes, like slow cooker corn casserole, CrockPot funeral potatoes, CrockPot baked beans, baked potatoes, and sweet corn on the cob.
Ingredients & Substitutions Notes
- Whole Chicken – Of course, the main ingredient for this recipe is a whole chicken, with the neck and giblets removed. I always like to rinse mine off in the sink, and then pat it dry with a paper towel.
- Olive Oil – I like to rub a little bit of olive oil into the chicken once it’s in the Crock Pot. Once soaked in, this will help to moisten and tenderize the chicken as it bakes.
- Veggies – If you really want a well balanced whole chicken CrockPot meal, cook your veggies right in with the chicken roast! I usually just add celery, carrots, red onion and garlic. That said, you might drop in some chunked potatoes, parsnips, turnips, mushrooms or even sweet potatoes. Be creative!
- Herbs & Spices – I always throw in a few sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary. And since you really can’t over-season a whole chicken, I’ll add seasoned salt, paprika, black pepper, dried parsley and onion powder. Basil, oregano or even an Italian seasoning can work really well too!
How to Make Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Before getting started, spray the inside of your Crock Pot insert with nonstick cooking spray, or you may use a disposable slow cooker liner.
Prep the Ingredients
- Rinse the chicken, and then remove the neck and giblets. Pat dry.
- Chop up the celery, carrots and onion; and then peel the garlic cloves, mashing each one down with the back of a kitchen knife. Then you can mix up the seasonings in a small mixing bowl.
- Next, drizzle the whole chicken with olive oil, rubbing it gently into the skin ’til evenly dispersed. I like to use a basting brush for this step.
- Finally, sprinkle your seasonings onto the chicken, rubbing them in all over.
Assembling the Slow Cooker
- Start by adding the prepped veggies and fresh herbs to the Crock Pot.
- Then place the seasoned whole chicken in the CrockPot on top of the vegetables.
How to Cook Whole Chicken in the CrockPot
- Place the lid on your slow cooker, and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Alternatively, you can cook it on high for 3-4 hours, or ’til the internal temperature reads at least 165ºF with a meat thermometer.
- Once fully cooked, remove your chicken from the slow cooker, and transfer it to a cutting board to cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting.
If you like a crispy skin, you can transfer your fully cooked chicken to a baking dish and into the oven to broil for 4-5 minutes, or ’til golden brown.
That’s it! Serve and enjoy your CrockPot whole chicken with all the cooked veggies. If you’re not ready to eat yet, simply leave it in the slow cooker with the “keep warm” function on ’til you’re ready to serve.
What Else to Serve With Your CrockPot Whole Chicken Meal
In addition to the side dishes already mentioned, here are a few more recipes that you can serve with your CrockPot whole chicken meal…
- Southern green beans and whole chicken with creamy mashed potatoes make the perfect dinner trio.
- Speaking of green beans, this green bean casserole is perfect for a potluck!
- You can’t go wrong with crispy french fries, or even loaded chili cheese fries…
- If you’re looking for a healthier option, you’ll love these honey glazed roasted carrots.
- Of course, any pot roast pairs well with broccoli salad, dill veggie finger salad, this creamy layered salad or even this 30 minute pasta salad.
- Last but not least, you can save back some of the broth to make your own chicken gravy!
Expert Recipe Tips and FAQ’s
Yes, it is perfectly safe to cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker so long as it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165ºF before serving. In fact, chicken is at its best when cooked at lower temperature for a long time, so the slow cooker is perfect!
Leftover chicken stores best in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you make a large enough batch, you can reheat a little bit in the microwave every day for easy meals all week long!
Yes, you can freeze leftover whole chicken. Stored in an airtight container or freezer bag, it should last up to 3 months in the freezer. Be sure to let it thaw out overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as normal.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Pork Roast
- Crock Pot Sloppy Joes
- Slow Cooker Hot Dogs
- Crock Pot Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
- Instant Pot Meatloaf and Potatoes
- Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs
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Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
How to make the best slow cooker whole chicken with vegetables. Easy CrockPot dinner recipe that you can make in 10 minutes or less!
- Slow Cooker
- Disposable Slow Cooker Liner
- Kitchen Knife
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Basting Brush
- Meat Thermometer
- Cutting Board
Whole Chicken CrockPot Meal
- 1 Whole Chicken
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 4 stalks Celery (chopped)
- 3 Carrots (chopped)
- 1 Red Onion (peeled and chopped)
- 4 Garlic Cloves (peeled and smashed)
- 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme
- 2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried Parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
Before getting started, spray the inside of your Crock Pot insert with nonstick cooking spray, or you may use a disposable slow cooker liner.
Rinse the chicken, and then remove the neck and giblets. Pat dry.
Chop up the celery, carrots and onion, and then peel the garlic cloves, mashing each one down with the back of a kitchen knife.
Mix up the seasonings in a small mixing bowl.
Next, drizzle the whole chicken with olive oil, rubbing it gently into the skin 'til evenly dispersed. I like to use a basting brush for this step.
Finally, sprinkle your seasonings onto the chicken, rubbing them in all over.
Start by adding the prepped veggies and fresh herbs to the Crock Pot.
Then place the seasoned chicken on top of the vegetables.
Place the lid on your slow cooker, and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. You can tell that it's done when the internal temperature reads at least 165ºF with a meat thermometer.
Once fully cooked, transfer your chicken to a cutting board to cool for 10-15 minutes before cutting.
Optionally if you like a crispy skin, you can transfer your fully cooked chicken to a baking dish and into the oven to broil for 4-5 minutes, or 'til golden brown.
That's it! Serve and enjoy with all the cooked veggies. If you're not ready to eat yet, simply leave it in the Crock Pot with the "keep warm" function on 'til you're ready to serve.
How should I store leftover slow cooker whole chicken?
Leftover chicken stores best in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
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