Juicy Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe, made in 4 hours in the crockpot. This easy recipe makes chicken and vegetables for a complete meal.
Crockpot Whole Chicken
This is an easy crockpot recipe making a whole chicken and vegetables at the same time for a simple dinner that’s waiting for you. You’ll want to use a whole chicken, anywhere between 4 and 6 pounds, and a variety of vegetables.
I’ll also provide the times for both HIGH and LOW as I know sometimes you want a chicken fast, while other times you’d like to throw it in the morning and come back in the afternoon.
I really hope you like this slow cooker whole chicken recipe as much as we do, we make it once or twice a month during Fall and Winter. If the chicken is on sale, it’s a pretty budget friendly meal and can easily provide us 2 meals (the next day is chicken sandwiches!).
How long to cook a whole chicken in a slow cooker?
A whole chicken takes on average 4 hours in the slow cooker on high, or 7 hours on low. At the end of the cooking time use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees.
How to Make a Juicy Chicken
The key to making a juicy chicken in the slow cooker is both cooking it with some broth, but also making a kind of “shelf” for the chicken to sit on so it doesn’t sit on the bottom of the slow cooker.
Some people make a shelf out of aluminum foil, but I prefer to use vegetables to make this into a complete meal. The chicken sits on top of the vegetables while it cooks which prevents it from drying out.
As you can see the result is tender juicy chicken!
What vegetables can I add in?
To make this into a complete chicken meal, you can add 4 cups of vegetables (or even a little more if your slow cooker is larger) of your choice. Some ideas of chopped veggies to add in are:
- potatoes (peeled or unpeeled – it’s up to you)
- carrots
- celery
- onions
- mushrooms
- green beans
- butternut squash
How To Make a Whole Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Add in the vegetables to the bottom of the slow cooker. I recommend 4 cups of vegetables, but you can use more if you want to, just remember you have to fit in a chicken and close the lid.
Pour chicken broth on top.
Rub the chicken with salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper and place on top of the vegetables in slow cooker.
Add 2 slices of butter on top of the chicken, this is going to melt as time goes on in the slow cooker and really make the skin juicy!
Cook and then remove from slow cooker, cutting apart the chicken to serve it. The meat is so tender it should just fall off the bone! Serve alongside vegetables, or make some additional mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
More Easy Crockpot Chicken Recipes
Crockpot Barbecue Chicken
Crockpot Chicken With Cream of Mushroom Soup
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Pin for later:
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (4 Hours)
PrintIngredients
- 4 cups vegetables chopped potatoes, carrots, celery, onions
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4-6 pound whole chicken giblets removed
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Chop up 4 cups of vegetables of your choice. I like a variety of potatoes, carrots, celery and onion, but do whatever your family likes best! Place the vegetables on the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour chicken broth on top of the vegetables and mix.
- Rinse the whole chicken under cold water, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper all over the chicken, top and bottom.
- Place chicken on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker. Add 2 tablespoons of butter on top of chicken.
- Close lid and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 7 hours or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Serve and enjoy!
Mavis says
Lol. I could never fit one of my farm chickens in my slow cooker. I could put cut pieces on it. Would that work?
SandyToes says
You’ll want to reduce the cooking time to about 4-5 hours on low, checking the temperature after 4 hours. Place thighs/legs on top of the breasts to prevent the breast meat from drying out and becoming stringy. Make sure to include the veggies on the bottom of your slow cooker.
Sisterbliss says
Would adding butter to the crock pot be alright ?
Pamela says
Hello! Adding butter wouldn’t ruin the recipe, but I don’t think it’s necessary! Hope this helps!
Jess says
What a neat idea! Pinned!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Amber says
Hi there! This sounds amazing and I’m super excited to try it out, as I LOVE crockpot recipes. One quick question first though. Would it be possible to keep this on low for 8 hours rather than high for 4? Thank you in advance!
Christina Makri says
OMG! This looks so yummy! thank you for sharing at Sweet Inspiration Link Party 🙂
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says
This sounds so tasty!! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
Eclectic Evelyn says
I pinned this so I could make it later. I love my slow cooker and this looks so delicious. I found you over at the Pit Stop. So glad I did. Yum!
Lily says
I’ve never tried roasting a chicken in a slow cooker before. Love that you can set it and forget it. And I’m with you, dark meat all the way! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday!
Judith Graber says
I love to use my slow cooker(s) all year long – such a handy kitchen appliance to have. The chicken looks great – I have only tried breasts not a whole chicken. Thanks for sharing with Fiesta Friday!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says
I love my slow cooker and usually make Beef Cheeks in Red Wine or Lamb Shanks. Now I’ll be adding Chicken to the list. Thanks for sharing with us at #BloggersPitStop.
Leslie says
The slow cooker is so useful…especially on busy school nights. This recipe will definitely come in handy. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Natalie A says
This looks so delicious! I love that it only takes 4 hours to cook! I love all the ingredients that go into this recipe, also! Thank you for sharing!
Mother of 3 says
That looks wonderful. I have raised my chicken up by placing balls of tin foil under it but I honestly never though to put a bunch of veggies in there and make a whole meal out of it. I’ll have to try that next time for sure. Pinned.
Debbie says
I just bought a whole chicken that I’m planning on cooking tomorrow. I’m going to try your way. Thanks for sharing.
Stefanie says
I’ve never cooked a whole chicken in the crockpot, but it looks simple and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Corina Blum says
I love my slow cooker but I’ve never cooked a whole chicken in it like this – It’s definitely something I’d love to try. It’s great that all the veggies and potatoes can get cooked at the same time too.
Gretchen Fleming says
This looks fabulous and have saved to try ASAP 😉👍
Marion Askildt says
When you put bread dough in slow cooker, do you have to let it rise again before turning on cooker??
Pamela says
Hey Marion, here’s my recipe with full instructions for slow cooker bread: https://brooklynfarmgirl.com/2018/01/02/2-hour-slow-cooker-bread/
Cathy S. says
I can’t wait to try making a whole chicken this way. Sounds easy and delicious!
Colleen Zucco says
I would like to try this but one other time my crock pot was just full of grease from the chicken. Then my husband said it was like eating boiled meat . How did you prevent that?
Pamela says
Hey Colleen, I’ve never had that problem with this slow cooker chicken. If you see lots of grease coming out of the chicken remove liquid from the slow cooker with a turkey baster so there’s not excess. Hope this helps!
sharron says
this looks wonderful! Do you have a suggestion for a homemade seasoning rub?
Pamela says
Hey Sharon, I like this recipe for seasoning rub: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17446/hughs-dry-rub/. Enjoy the chicken!
cakespy says
Oh man, love how tender chicken is when cooked in a slow cooker. This is simply wonderful!! Aromatic and juicy and oh my.
Jess @ Gas Stove Girl says
What’s the texture of the skin like? I love a crispy skin, but as long as the skin isn’t rubbery this sounds like an amazingly easy meal (plus great for meal planning!)
Gwendolyn Poliszczuk says
I made this with 2 Cornish hens. I took them out of crock pot and put them in oven for ten minutes at 450 degrees. They were perfect! Love this recipe.
Pamela says
Hey Gwendolyn, thanks so much for commenting! I’m so happy you liked this recipe!
Cindy says
I was wondering if you ever tried & if you did, how did the skin turn out on the chicken?
Hena Tayeb says
wow that looks great..
http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com
Brooklyn says
I tried your crock pot bread last week and we loved it! As a new “cook” I am looking forward to trying this one this week! Thank you!
Suzanne says
I am all about slow cookers! I love this recipe and will be perfect to come home to on Tuesday. The veggies lifting the chicken up out of the broth is a really good idea.