Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

It’s easy to make seasoned rotisserie style chicken at home with this delicious Crockpot Whole Chicken recipe!

whole chicken seasoned with herbs in black slow cooker

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Why I love this recipe

I love cooking whole chicken in the slow cooker. It’s easy to prep and clean up and so versatile. You can serve the entire chicken as the main dish, rotisserie style, or shred it up to use in other recipes like chicken bacon ranch dip or buffalo chicken dip.

Ingredients

whole chicken
salt and pepper
seasoning blend (I recommend Herbes de Provence)

Step by step

Place a trivet in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Remove giblets from the chicken and pat dry with a paper towel.
Place chicken on the trivet and season generally.
Cook for 3-4 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Tips for best results

elevate the chicken in the crock pot so that it isn’t sitting in it’s own juices, unless you’re planning on shredding it. You can prop it up on a trivet, balled up aluminum foil, or even place potatoes and veggies underneath to make it an all-in-one meal.
season the chicken however you like. I like to use salt, pepper, and Herbes de Provence for a general all-purpose seasoning.
chicken should be cooked through in 3 to 4 hours but it is best to use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh (not touching the bone) to ensure it reaches 165° Fahrenheit (75° Celsius).

FAQs

Do I need to add liquid to the bottom of the slow cooker?

Unlike an Instant Pot, you do not need to add liquid to the bottom of a slow cooker when cooking a whole chicken. The chicken produces juices as it cooks which is why we elevate it to prevent it from getting soggy.

Can I make gravy with the drippings?

Yes! You can make a roux with flour and melted butter and stir that into the drippings to make the gravy. We have a full gravy tutorial in our turkey gravy recipe.

Can I cook a frozen chicken in the slow cooker?

No, it is not safe to cook a frozen whole chicken in the slow cooker. The chicken will heat too slowly allowing it to sit in the food safety “danger zone” where bacteria can grow.

How do I brown the chicken after cooking in the slow cooker?

You can broil the chicken for a few minutes in the oven to brown the chicken and crisp the skin.

If you make this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!