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Crockpot whole chicken that anyone can make! This is the easiest way to enjoy a juicy, rotisserie like chicken by only using a crockpot.
This slow cooker whole chicken is dedicated to all of my favorite friends that claim that they can’t cook. I bet you a million dollars that this tender slow cooker whole chicken will turn out perfect for you.
This tender slow cooker whole chicken was so moist that I could not even lift it out of the crock. Can you see where I tried and the chicken totally fell apart? I’m serious, I finally lifted it out and all that was left was a pile of bones. The bones were no longer in the carcass shape either.
How Long Will Cooked Chicken Keep?
Chicken should be tightly wrapped or placed in an airtight container to store.
Properly stored, cooked chicken will keep for 3-4 days.
Tender Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
There’s nothing like cooking a whole chicken in a crock pot. It’s the easiest way to do it as there’s no tying of kitchen twine, no roasting pan, no watching the oven and the internal temperature. You just set it and forget it.
Is it Safe to Cook Chicken in a Slow Cooker?
Although it seems that cooking food at such a low temperature might be dangerous, slow cookers are, in fact safe, according to the USDA.
When you use a slow cooker, food stays at 170-280 degrees in a tightly covered container.
Are a Slow Cooker and Crockpot the Same Thing?
A crock pot is actually a type of slow cooker, so they are very similar, but not all slow cookers are also crock pots.
A crock pot is a type of slow cooker with a stoneware pot that sits inside a surrounding heating element.
A slow cooker is a usually metal pot that sits on top of a heating surface.
The chicken is delicious and you could add whatever spices or sauce suits your fancy. I reaaaaaaaally wanted a rotisserie, but this recipe is seriously just as good. Cross my heart.
How Long to Defrost a Whole Chicken
I only want to remind you of two things,
1. Defrost your whole chicken the day before. It will take at least all day in the fridge to defrost. You can buy a fresh one if you are too nervous that you wont defrost it all the way.
How to Pronounce Giblets
Just really quick can we correct one thing? It’s “JIB-LITS” not “GIB-LETS”. Sorry but we should all know how to pronounce giblets because it may not be what you would think.
What are Giblets
The giblets (now that we are all pronouncing it correctly) are the heart, neck, liver, and gizzards that are packaged and stored in the cavity of a chicken or turkey. So if you ever wondered, what are giblets, now you know, it’s the inside stuff.
Why Remove Giblets from Chicken
2. Remove the giblets. These are great for making a really fantastic gravy but you don’t need them otherwise. Don’t be scared. Just reach in there and pull it out. You don’t want those baked in there.
If you do not have fresh garlic or thyme, don’t run to the store, just use dry thyme and garlic powder. Probably 1 Teaspoon powder.
More CrockPot Recipes:
- CrockPot Chicken and Rice
- Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
- Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken with Pineapple
- Crock Pot Cafe Rio Chicken
- Slow Cooker BBQ Beef
- Slow Cooker Corn Chowder with Bacon
- CrockPot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Korean BBQ Beef
- Slow Cooker Garlic Chicken
- Easy Chicken Carnitas
- All our CROCKPOT and SLOW COOKER recipes here!
Tender Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Chicken, 4-6 lb, giblets removed
- 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Black Pepper
- 1/2 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme, or 1/2 tsp Dried
- 1 Clove Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 2 teaspoon Paprika
- 2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Take the whole chicken and rinse it inside and out with water.1 Whole Chicken
- Pat dry and set aside.
- Mix together all of the seasonings in a small dish.1/2 teaspoon Fresh Black Pepper, 1/2 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme, 1 Clove Garlic, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, 2 teaspoon Paprika, 2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- Using your fingers, gently lift the skin over the breasts by sliding your fingers up towards the neck to separate the skin and meat.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken, over the skin and underneath right onto the breast meat.
- Place the chicken in a crock pot on low for 8 hours.
- Once the chicken is done, remove from the crock pot and serve with potatoes, and veggies.
- There is plenty of liquid if you wish to make a gravy.
- Just heat the liquid in a pot and mix a little cornstarch and cold water.
- Once the liquid is boiling add a little to the cornstarch so it heats it up a bit, and slowly add it to the liquid, whisking vigorously.
- Season as needed.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this for at least the 20th time today, and it is always a winner! The best tip is to put some of the rub beneath the skin, don’t neglect that part! I do put about half an inch of water in the slow cooker, and I use parsley instead of thyme just because it’s what I always have on hand. I do put the chicken under the broiler on a sheet pan for a quick minute (watching constantly!!) as my skin never gets crispy in the slow cooker. I always do this with a previously frozen chicken (I thaw for at least 24hrs in the fridge) and for some strange reason it always makes a different amount of liquid—so when I make gravy I sometimes have to stretch the amount by adding some chicken broth or sometimes even just plain water if the liquid is very strong. That inconsistency is likely due to purchasing the chicken from different places.
I also have switched up the rub a couple of times—I once added cumin & chilli powder, and once I used a wet rub that had some roasted red pepper & other things in it. I didn’t make gravy those times.
But I love this recipe! This recipe is the reason I always have a couple of whole chickens in the freezer! So easy, and always so juicy!
Thank you so so much Janelle! Thank you for sharing your tips and experience with the recipe. It helps our other readers so much! So glad you enjoy it!
I call them all crockpots. It doesn’t matter what you call them. They all serve the same purpose.
Angela Herring
Could I use a casserole crockpot and cook two smaller birds? Would it work?
Angela Herring
Hi Angela! Yes, that should work just fine!
They are all slow cookers, crockpot is a brand
Love cooking chicken this way! So tasty AND economical
Yes, you are correct. Thanks Ami!
It doesn’t matter what you call it as long as it works.
I have always used this recipe as it never fails! I attempted to use another recipe to cook the whole chicken in my instant pot (high pressure for 27 mins with 20 min natural release) and it just did not come out the same. How would you convert this recipe to instant pot?
Hi Lorin! We have an Instant Pot BBQ Chicken on the blog (https://ohsweetbasil.com/bbq-instant-pot-whole-chicken-recipe/). Follow those instructions and it should be perfect…high pressure for 30 minutes and natural release for 5-10 minutes. Just keep the seasoning the same for this recipe and skip the bbq rub.
You should not wash a chicken before cooking it
THANK YOU!! From the newly intent Stay at Home Wife and four legged Mama!! I’m physically permanently disabled but I’m tired of CRAPPY Super processed Junk for us so I am trying to get simple recipes where I don’t have to be on my feet A Lot!! So thank you my wife, and for tonight our niece and her best friend will be dining with us!!
Enjoy! And let us know how it went!
Carrian, I cannot see the comments. Eve3ery time I sceroll down to them they are replaced by page after page of additional recipes after ony 1 or 2 seconds. I cannot even see this reply i am typing so please pardon the typos. My email is pwheeler821@gmail.com
Hi Pat! I’m so sorry! I’m not sure what is happening. The comments all appear right under the “You May Also Like…” section. Is there a specific question that I can help you with?
In your recipe you do not mention how much water to put in the crockpot for the chicken in order to have any liquids left to make gravy.
So my question is, how much water is added to the crockpot after the chicken is placed in there?
I am planning on cooking the chicken today so it doesn’t spoil so I need an answer like quickly, please
No water is needed. Enough juice comes off the chicken to create the gravy. Enjoy!
Hi, I am making it for tonight. Quick question. Do you put it upward and the breast down??
Hi Nadia! Sorry I’m probably too late, but it should be breast side up. How did it turn out?
Hi, I have a 3lb chicken and was wondering how long I should cook on low? I don’t want to overcook it and make it dry. This recipe sounds yummy! 🙂
Hi Lucy! I would start with 6 hours and then check the internal temperature. You want an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Enjoy!!