Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Make dinner effortless with this juicy, tender Slow Cooker Whole Chicken. Set it and forget it for a flavorful, comforting meal your whole family will love.

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken, crock pot, crockpot, slow cooker

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 10

Servings servings

Calories 452kcal

Equipment

slow cooker

Ingredients

5 pounds chicken 4–5 lbs, giblets removed (1 whole chicken)
2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon thyme dried - or Italian seasoning
1 lemon halved
4 garlic cloves smashed
1 onion quartered
3 carrots 3-4 - cut into chunks (optional)
3 celery stalks 3-4 - cut into chunks (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Pat the chicken dry.
Combine salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme in a small bowl.
Coat the chicken with olive oil or butter. Sprinkle with the seasoning mixture and then press into the chicken. Don’t forget to season inside the cavity of the chicken as well.
Place the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Squeeze the lemon over the chicken, then place the lemon halves in the cavity.
Place the chicken on top of the vegetables - breast side up.
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours, until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F.
Transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 4–5 minutes to crisp the skin.
Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Serve with the cooked veggies from the cooker.
Use the flavorful juices to make a gravy to serve with it.

Nutrition