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–+ servings

Crockpot Whole Chicken

Crockpot whole chicken is a flavorful and juicy dish made by slow-cooking a whole chicken with vegetables and spices in a crockpot.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 347 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Slow cooker
  • 1 Small bowl
  • 1 9x13 Baking dish
  • 1 Oven

Ingredients
  

Rub Ingredients for the Chicken

  • 4 tsps salt
  • 2 tsps paprika
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp ground white pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

For the Crockpot

  • 1 cup chopped onion (approx 1 medium to large onion)
  • 4 to 5 carrots (scrubbed, no need to peel, chopped in halves or thirds)
  • 4 celery stalks (cut in thirds)
  • 2 garlic cloves (peeled and smashed)
  • 1 whole lemon (quartered)
  • 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 lbs whole chicken

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, mix together the rub ingredients and set aside. Prepare the vegetables and arrange them inside the slow cooker.
  • Unwrap the chicken and remove the neck and giblet bag, discarding or saving for later use. Thoroughly pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
  • Rub garlic cloves over the entire chicken, then stuff some inside the cavity. Generously coat the inside and outside of the chicken with the spice rub, and place quartered lemon pieces inside.
  • Position the chicken on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-8 hours, or until the internal temperature of the leg reaches 160°F.
  • Transfer the cooked chicken to a 9x13 baking dish and broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before carving and serving.

Notes

Do I need to add water to the crockpot?
No water is necessary. The chicken will release its own juices during cooking, creating a flavorful broth that you can save for later use.
How do I get the skin crispy?
Follow the recipe instructions to broil the chicken briefly in the oven after slow cooking to achieve crispy skin.
Can I cook this recipe skinless?
Whatever you prefer. The skin helps to retain moisture though, so the chicken may be less moist and tender without it.
Can I make this recipe with a frozen chicken?
Fully thaw the chicken before cooking it in the crockpot. This ensures even cooking and prevents the risk of foodborne illness.

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 30gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 364mgPotassium: 495mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 7488IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 46mgIron: 2mg
Keyword crockpot recipe, crockpot whole chicken, slow cooker recipe
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