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!
Whole Chicken in the Crockpot
Wondering what to cook on those nights when you’re hosting family or friends and you need something impressive, but realistic? Toss a whole chicken into your Crockpot! In fact, this easy recipe is even perfect for holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving if you don’t feel like cooking a turkey or ham. You can still carve up some meat without all the hassle!
You can season your chicken however you’d like, but my tried and true seasoning blend of fresh herbs, paprika, salt, and black pepper always satisfies. It’s simple, yet so mouthwatering! There’s also celery, carrots, and onions that are cooked along with the chicken to lend even more flavor AND serve as side dishes.
A one pot dinner that’s easy to make, easy to clean, and ideal for dinner parties? Yes, please!
Why You’ll Love this Crockpot Whole Chicken Recipe:
- PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING: If you’re hosting family or friends, impress them with this whole chicken recipe. It’s a great alternative for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other holiday.
- SO EASY TO MAKE: Thank you, Crockpot, for simplifying this cooking process more than any other kitchen device ever could. Just set it and forget it!
- TENDER AND JUICY: No one likes dry chicken, but cooking it in the Crockpot means it always turns out SO tender and juicy.
A this Crockpot whole chicken with veggies is always such a delight to serve for dinner. This recipe has the protein and veggies your body will love!
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Crockpot
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
- Pat the chicken dry.
- Combine olive oil and seasonings, then spread mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Add the chopped veggies and herbs to the Crockpot, then place the chicken (breast side up) on top of the veggies.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
- Transfer the chicken to a baking tray, and broil in the oven until the skin is crispy.
- Serve with the veggies and enjoy!
No, you should not cook a frozen whole chicken in the crockpot, as it will stay in the temperature danger zone for too long, which could lead to foodborne illness. Always thaw your chicken overnight in the refrigerator before adding it to the crockpot.
It usually takes about 4-5 hours on high heat or 6-8 hours on low heat. If you plan to cook on low heat, make sure to cook the chicken on high for at least 1 hour before switching to low for food safety purposes.
No, you do not need to add any water because the chicken will release juices as it cooks. Adding water will just make the chicken soggy.
To make the skin crispy, transfer the chicken to a rimmed baking sheet and place it under the broiler for 4-5 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
You can easily turn those juices into a chicken gravy! Simply melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan, whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour, then add the chicken juices and cook until thickened. Salt and pepper to taste and serve with the chicken.
Serving Suggestions
This slow cooker whole chicken is already served with plenty of veggies, but feel free to pair those veggies with one of these heartier side dishes!
One really great thing about serving a whole chicken for dinner is that everyone gets to pick what they like the best. Do you like the breast meat? Maybe the drums? There’s something there for everyone!
Make Ahead Instructions
You can rub the whole chicken with the herb mixture up to 1 day in advance of when you plan to cook it. Store the chicken uncovered in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
Storage Instructions
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.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze crockpot whole chicken broken down into pieces in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Substitutions
- Feel free to switch up the spices and herbs to whatever you desire, such as chicken seasoning or Italian seasoning.
- You can use room temperature butter in place of the olive oil.
- Feel free to switch up the vegetables, or add quartered potatoes to make a complete one-pot meal.
Leftover Chicken Recipes
This crockpot whole chicken tastes great the next day in any recipe that calls for a rotisserie chicken, such as:
Tips for the Best Crockpot Whole Chicken
- Pat the chicken dry to ensure that the oil and herbs will adhere.
- Do not add any additional liquid to the slow cooker; the chicken will create its own juices.
- Broil the chicken for crispier skin.
- Cooked whole chicken should register 160°F in the breasts and 170°F in the thighs.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing to seal in the juices.
Slice and serve this tender, flavorful, juicy whole chicken that’s cooked to perfection in the Crockpot! You’ll love how easy it is to make this impressive entree.
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Recipe
Crockpot Whole Chicken Recipe
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 15 minutes
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!
Instructions
-
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
1 (4-pound) whole chicken
-
In a small bowl, stir the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, paprika, ½ teaspoon pepper, chopped thyme, and chopped rosemary together. Spread this mixture evenly over the chicken.
1½ tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1½ teaspoons ground paprika, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
-
Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray. Add in the celery, carrots, onion, sprigs of rosemary and thyme, and remaining salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
4 ribs celery, 3 carrots, 1 onion, 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, 4 sprigs fresh thyme
-
Place the chicken, breast side up, over the top of the veggies, cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours.
-
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 alongside the veggies.
Becky’s tips
- Feel free to switch up the spices and herbs to whatever you desire, such as chicken seasoning or Italian seasoning.
- You can use room temperature butter in place of the olive oil.
- Feel free to switch up the vegetables, or add quartered potatoes to make a complete one-pot meal.
- Pat the chicken dry to ensure that the oil and herbs will adhere.
- Do not add any additional liquid to the slow cooker; the chicken will create its own juices.
- Broil the chicken for crispier skin.
- Cooked whole chicken should register 160°F in the breasts and 170°F in the thighs.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing to seal in the juices.
Storage: Store crockpot whole chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1pound Calories: 555kcal (28%) Carbohydrates: 9g (3%) Protein: 42g (84%) Fat: 38g (58%) Saturated Fat: 10g (63%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g Monounsaturated Fat: 17g Trans Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 163mg (54%) Sodium: 1381mg (60%) Potassium: 736mg (21%) Fiber: 3g (13%) Sugar: 4g (4%) Vitamin A: 8575IU (172%) Vitamin C: 12mg (15%) Calcium: 73mg (7%) Iron: 3mg (17%)
More Stories
Benefits of Drinking Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Controlling Penis Odor Caused by Alcohol
The Liquid Diet: How Alcohol Can Destroy a Diet