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Once you try this crockpot whole chicken recipe you won’t cook a whole chicken any other way! It is seriously so good and loaded with flavor! I’m pretty sure it is safe to say that this slow cooker whole chicken is life-changing!
Life is about to get easy… like really easy with this whole chicken in the slow cooker recipe. I think you will be shocked how easily you can make this crockpot whole chicken that you won’t need to buy the rotisserie chicken at the grocery store anymore. You can make it at home in just a few minutes.
Our family now stocks up on whole chickens when they go on sale at our local grocery store. They get tossed in the freezer until I am ready to cook them. Then we make them for dinner. You can make chicken broth or bone broth from the leftovers but don’t forget to save the leftover chicken. You can make more dinners without your family knowing that they’re eating leftovers!
You may also love Crock Pot Chicken Breast Recipe.
Ways to use leftover Crockpot Rotisserie Chicken:
- Toss it in this recipe for a quick and easy chicken noodle soup
- Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole is perfect for this leftover chicken
- Add it to your salads for a delicious chicken salad.
- Make chicken and cheese quesadillas
- Make chicken burritos
- Add it to make a quick chicken tortilla soup
- Find more Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
The chicken in this crockpot whole chicken recipe falls off the bone! It is so tender and every bite is filled with flavor and is so juicy! I can’t believe I’ve been buying these from the grocery store when they’re so easy to make at home!
Crockpot Whole Chicken Ingredients:
- Whole Chicken
- Onions
- Olive Oil
- Paprika
- Italian Seasoning
- garlic powder
- salt and pepper
Equipment you need:
- a good crockpot – you will want a 6 qt one. This is the one we used.
How to cook a Whole Chicken in a Crockpot:
- Cut the onions into large slices and place the sliced onions at the bottom of the crockpot. This keeps your chicken above the juices and gives you that rotisserie flavor.
- Place the chicken breast side up, on top of the onions inside the crockpot.
- Use a basting brush to rub the olive oil all over the skin of the chicken.
- Stir together all the seasonings. Sprinkle this mixture onto the chicken and use the basting brush to evenly spread the seasoning mixture onto the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours, or cook on high for 2-3 hours.
- Make sure chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove chicken from crockpot and serve!
- If you want to have crispy skin like you get with roasted chicken, place the chicken in a baking dish or cookie sheet and broil for 4-5 minutes. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!
Slow cooker whole chicken variation ideas:
There are so many different ways to serve up this crockpot whole chicken. Sometimes I will put the chicken on top of potatoes, instead of the foil balls, that way the potatoes cook at the same time.
The juices from the chicken make them extra delicious, too! If you don’t want potatoes, carrots are another great option.
I also like to change up my seasoning from time to time. If you like garlic, you can make a 40 clove garlic chicken in your crockpot!
Simply stuff your chicken with 3 heads, or approximately 40 cloves of garlic, smear the skin with butter and salt and pepper and cook as directed below.
What to serve with crockpot whole chicken:
We love to pair this with our Pressure cooker Mashed Potatoes Recipe with homemade White Gravy and Broccoli in the Microwave for a complete and easy dinner idea!
We also like this easy Crock Pot Ham Recipe. So simple! You can also learn how to roast a turkey.
Check out 28 Best Rotisserie Chicken Sides for more ideas.
More Whole Chicken Recipes:
Print your Crockpot Whole Chicken recipe below:
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (4-6 lbs)
- 2 onions
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Peel and slice the onions into large thick slices. Place them at the bottom of a crock pot.
- Place the chicken in the crock pot (breast side up). Use a basting brush to rub the olive oil all over the skin of the chicken.
- Mix all the seasonings together in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken and use the basting brush to coat the chicken with the seasonings.
- Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours, or cook on high for 2-3 hours.
- Make sure chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove chicken from crock pot carefully.
- Let the chicken sit for 5-10 minutes. Then slice and serve. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
Try these other easy crock pot recipes:
- Crock pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Crock pot Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Thai Peanut Chicken
- Lazy Day Crock pot Lasagna Recipe
- Crock pot Sweet and Sour meatballs
- Pork Tenderloin Tacos with Peach Salsa
- Cheesy Pierogi & Keilbasa Casserole
- Crockpot Butter Chicken
- Peach Dump Cake
- Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Recipe
How many pounds does the chicken weigh?
You don’t need to add any liquid for it to cook in?
No, no liquid needed,
Can you do this in the IP? If so how long would it take?
I haven’t tried this in my instant pot yet. Based on my initial research, you would need to cook it on high pressure for 6 minutes per pound based on the size of the chicken and then a natural release for at least 15 minutes. Let me know how it turns out!
How big of a chicken? Weight?
what kind of potatoes can you use. Can I use small ones?
I use a 4-6 lb chicken for this recipe. Thank you!
Yes, I think any would work. If you use large ones, I would dice them up before adding them to the crock pot. Thank you!
High for 4 hours? Or low?
I would cook on low for 8 hours. Thank you.
Your recipe says low 4-6 hours but in your comments you say low for 8 hours ?? Which is correct ? Thanks
The instructions say to put chicken in breast side down yet all the pictures are showing breast side is up. Not sure which way to go.
Mary – Sorry for the confusion. I cook this with the breast side up as shown in the picture. I updated the recipe so that it’s no longer confusion. Thank you.
Are you adding vegetables at beginning? Under the chicken?
I usually place them under the chicken so they get all the wonderful flavor of the chicken juices on them. I usually add them at the beginning. Thanks.
What happens if I don’t have a meat thermometer to check the chicken?
If you don’t have a thermometer, I would cut through the largest part of the chicken to make sure it’s done completely at the end of the cooking time. Thank you!
Love this recipe! The chicken comes out nice and moist.
Hi so are you saying I can replace carrots and potatoes for the aluminum balls or do you keep the aluminum balls in there too?
I would replace the aluminum balls with the potatoes and carrots if you prefer.
Made this for dinner tonight. Oh my goodness sooo tender and tasty. Makes a fantastic broth too. My husband loved it also. ? I have a picture.
Delicious n Easy!
I will make again n my husband loved!
Delicious! So easy to make! Had stuffing and veggie as sides. Mine was a 6 pounder so left it cook extra 1/2 an hour! Will definitely make again!
If working with a frozen bird, do I need to thaw the chicken before putting it in the crockpot?
I would thaw it first.