How To Roast A Juicy, Flavorful Chicken In A Crock Pot
Roasting a whole chicken in a crock pot may seem unconventional, but it’s actually a fantastic hands-off cooking method that results in incredibly moist and tender meat. The slow, gentle heat of the crock pot steams the chicken in its own juices, infusing it with more flavor than traditional oven roasting.
If you’ve only used your crock pot for stews and chili, roasting a chicken will open up a whole new world of possibilities. In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through my proven step-by-step method for roasting foolproof crock pot chicken every time Let’s get started!
Benefits of Crock Pot ChickenHere are some of the biggest benefits of using a crock pot to roast a whole chicken
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Requires minimal preparation – Just season and add to the crock pot No complicated trussing needed
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Cooks slowly and evenly for incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone meat.
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Infuses the chicken with more flavor as it cooks in its own juices.
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Safe and hands-off method. No need to monitor oven temp or baste.
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Makes an ultra-moist and delicious chicken, even with lean breast meat.
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Leftover meat is perfect for soups, salads, sandwiches, and more.
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Easy cleanup – no burnt spills to scrub like oven roasting.
Choosing the Right Crock Pot
A 6-quart crock pot is ideal for roasting a standard whole chicken in the 3 to 5 pound range. Make sure the chicken can fit comfortably lying flat without touching the sides. If cooking a larger bird, use an 8-quart size.
I recommend an oval-shaped crock pot rather than a round one. The oval shape accommodates the shape of a whole chicken better and allows it to cook more evenly.
You’ll also want a crock pot with a removable ceramic insert. This makes it easier to get the cooked chicken out of the crock safely.
Ingredients for Perfect Crock Pot Chicken
- 1 whole chicken (3-5 lbs)
- 1 yellow onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp each: onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
Seasoning is key for flavorful crock pot chicken. Don’t be afraid to generously season under and on top of the skin. The slow cooking will infuse the spices into the meat.
Preparing the Crock Pot
Here are the simple steps for prepping the crock pot:
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Place quartered onion, smashed garlic, lemon quarters, and bay leaves in crock pot. This will provide moisture and flavor.
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If your crock pot doesn’t have a removable insert, place the vegetables in the center of a foil sling for easier removal.
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Rub 1 tbsp olive oil all over the inside of the crock pot to prevent sticking.
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Sprinkle 1/2 tsp salt and pepper over the vegetables.
Prepping the Chicken
Rinse the chicken and pat it completely dry with paper towels. This helps the skin brown better.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp each onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp thyme.
Rub the seasoning mix all over the chicken, under the skin, and into the cavity. Really coat that bird well!
For extra flavor, stuff the cavity with a lemon quarter, garlic clove, and herb sprigs.
Trussing is optional but helps the chicken hold its shape. Tie the legs together with kitchen string.
Slow Cooker Chicken Cooking Instructions
Gently place the seasoned chicken breast-side up on top of the vegetables in the crock pot.
Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is fall-apart tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Do not open the lid during cooking. This will increase cook time.
If the breast starts to overbrown before the thighs are done, tent foil over just the breast.
Let the chicken rest 15 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
Make an easy sauce from the tasty cooking juices!
Tips and Variations
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For browned skin, broil 5-10 mins after slow cooking. Watch closely to avoid burning.
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Use chicken broth or wine instead of water in crock pot for more flavor.
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Stuff the cavity with onions, garlic, herbs, or citrus for extra moisture and flavor.
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Add quartered potatoes, carrots, and other root veggies to cook with the chicken.
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Use your favorite spice rubs like lemon pepper, herb blends, or Cajun seasoning.
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Shred the cooked chicken and use for tacos, casseroles, soups, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions? Here are answers to some common crock pot chicken FAQs:
What size chicken should I use?
For a 6-quart crock pot, a 3 to 5 pound chicken is ideal. Make sure it fits lying flat.
Can I use a frozen chicken?
No, only use fully thawed chicken. Frozen will not cook safely.
How long does it take to cook?
On LOW, whole chicken takes 6-8 hours. On HIGH, reduce time to 4-6 hours.
Do I need to add liquid?
A little water or broth in crock pot isn’t required but helps ensure moisture.
Is fall-off-the-bone chicken overcooked?
Not for this method! The long cook time results in ultra-tender meat.
Should I truss the chicken?
Trussing with kitchen string is optional but helps chicken hold shape.
Can I stuff vegetables inside?
Yes! Stuff cavity with lemon, garlic, onions, herbs for extra flavor.
What sides go well with crock pot chicken?
Rice, roasted veggies, potatoes, pasta, salad, bread – the options are endless!
How do I make leftovers last?
Store cooled chicken in fridge up to 4 days. Freeze shredded chicken for longer storage. Use in casseroles, sandwiches, soups and more.
I’m Convinced! How Do I Get Started?
Have I convinced you to give crock pot chicken a try? Here’s a quick recap of the simple process:
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Prep crock pot with vegetables, oil, and seasonings
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Pat chicken dry and generously season all over
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Place seasoned chicken breast-side up in crock pot
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Cook on LOW 6-8 hours until tender and 165°F
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Allow chicken to rest before slicing and serving
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Make an easy sauce from the flavorful cooking juices
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Enjoy incredibly moist, fall-off-the-bone crock pot deliciousness!
Why You’ll Love This
This slow cooker whole chicken recipe creates a super moist, tender, and juicy whole chicken.
You can prep this chicken in no time flat before you leave for work. Or better yet, prepare it the night before and place the bowl in the fridge. Cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker has just made dinner a breeze!
When you wake up the next morning, remove it from the fridge. I like the insert of the slow cooker to warm to room temperature before placing it in the unit to cook. So I pull it out and place it on the counter to come to room temperature while I’m scrambling around in the fridge for the cream to put in my first cup of coffee.
- Whole chicken – 4 to 5 pounds whole chicken.
- Smoked paprika – Or regular paprika. The slow cooker will not brown the skin so this helps with coloring the chicken.
- Seasonings – Steak seasoning, salt, and pepper
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Video
- Place a few small balls of aluminum foil on the bottom of the slow cooker. So the chicken isn’t sitting in its juices while cooking.
- Mix spices in a small bowl. (I use this steak seasoning)
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub the seasoning mix all over the outside and inside of the chicken. Put the chicken breast side up in the crock.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or cook on high for 4-5 hours until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. (Cooking time can vary, not all slow cookers are the same.)
- Carefully move the crock pot whole chicken to a serving dish. Allow it to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Carve, serve, and enjoy this crock pot whole chicken!
Couldn’t be easier, right? Crockpot whole chicken is too easy to not make every week!
- Use whole carrots, celery, or thick sliced potatoes under the chicken instead of aluminum foil balls.
- Be careful when adding salt and pepper to the rub. Not all steak seasonings are made the same, some will have a higher sodium content than others.
- To achieve crispy skin transfer the chicken to a baking dish or sheet pan and broil it in the oven for about 5 minutes. Watch it closely!
- Use that leftover chicken to make chicken salad!
Switch up the seasonings for this crock pot chicken. Try store-bought Rotisserie Chicken Seasonings such as Badia or McCormick’s.
Don’t have steak seasonings? No worries use 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
No. Due to food safety reasons, you should thaw the chicken before cooking in a slow cooker.
Yes! If you want to be extra cautious cook it on high. But the USDA says it’s fine.
No. You don’t need to add water to a whole chicken recipe in a slow cooker. You don’t want to make chicken soup.
This is the result of cooking the chicken too long. As the chicken cooks, the collagen breaks down into gelatin. Don’t add any liquid and cook on high instead of low.
Let the chicken cool completely, place it in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Or freeze the leftover chicken for up to 2 months.
Cooking a whole chicken in the Crockpot | Slow Cooker Recipes
FAQ
How do you roast a chicken in a slow cooker?
Pour the oil into a small bowl. Stir in the paprika, salt and pepper. Brush the oil over the chicken. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 4–4 ½ hours or until the chicken is tender and thoroughly cooked – the meat should be almost falling off the bones.
Do you need to put water in a crock pot when cooking chicken?
Adding some liquid to the slow cooker is an essential step, and ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy.
Is it better to cook chicken on low or high in a crockpot?
Low Setting: Cooking on low (typically around 200°F or 93°C) is recommended for more tender, juicy chicken. It allows the meat to cook slowly, breaking down the fibers and collagen, which results in a more flavorful dish. This method usually takes about 6 to 8 hours.
How long should you slow roast whole chicken?
Cover chicken and bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink, and juices run clear, 4 to 5 hours.