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Home Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (4 Hours)

4 hours 10 minutes
carrotceleryonionpotato
Posted:8/23/22
Updated:8/24/22
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Juicy Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe, made in 4 hours in the crockpot. This easy recipe makes chicken and vegetables for a complete meal.

whole chicken in slow cooker

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!

juicy chicken drumstick with skin on it placed in front of whole 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.

vegetables on bottom of slow coooker.

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.

whole chicken with spices on it 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!

pats of butter on top of chicken in slow cooker.

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!

juicy whole chicken cooked in slow cooker sitting on cutting board

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

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Juicy Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe, made in 4 hours in the crockpot.  This easy recipe makes chicken and vegetables for a complete meal.
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4.63 from 16 votes

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (4 Hours)

Print
Juicy Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe, made in 4 hours in the crockpot. This easy recipe makes chicken and vegetables for a complete meal.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
serves 6

Ingredients

  • 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!

Video:

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 600kcal (30%)
Course:Main Course
Cuisine:American
Keyword:Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

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  1. Tara says

    February 18, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    Really nice and easy! I did a few little things differently. My chicken was only 1.5kg as my slow cooker is quite small. I also added crushed garlic, and worcestershire sauce. And I gave it an extra hour to make sure it was fully cooked everywhere. Finally, chucked a load more salt and pepper in with one hour to go. Was delicious.

    Reply
  2. linda says

    November 15, 2020 at 9:43 am

    I am trying this recipe right now i put green onion,ans instead of salt i used garlic salt and added minced garlic also

    Reply
  3. Hayley Russell says

    June 26, 2020 at 3:16 pm

    My family loved this receipe, tasty & succulent meal in one!

    Reply
  4. George says

    May 9, 2019 at 3:33 pm

    Made this yesterday, and added red pepper flakes for some heat. We really liked it served with mashed potatoes.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      May 10, 2019 at 9:33 am

      I love that you added some red pepper flakes! Thanks for commenting and letting me know you liked the recipe!

      Reply
  5. Erin says

    January 19, 2019 at 9:29 am

    If I wanted to put this on low bc I won’t be home. How long would I cook it? I know it’s 4hrs on high but curious how long on low?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      January 21, 2019 at 1:41 pm

      Hey Erin, you could cook it for 7 hours on low.

      Reply
  6. Rebecca says

    December 5, 2018 at 2:42 pm

    Just curious what everyone does with leftovers. Would chicken prepared this way do well in salads?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      December 5, 2018 at 2:59 pm

      Hey Rebecca, you can definitely use it in salads! I also love making shredded chicken noodle soup with it! (PS. You can freeze it too!).

      Reply
  7. Shea says

    November 11, 2018 at 10:41 am

    Has anyone used a large round crock pot ? Wondering if chicken is to big and I will need an oval crock pot.. ? thank you.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      November 11, 2018 at 8:42 pm

      Hey Shea, how many quarts is your crock pot?

      Reply
  8. Sandy says

    October 26, 2018 at 9:36 am

    Do you have suggestions for non starch veggies? I am definitely going to try but eating low carb. Thank u

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      October 26, 2018 at 10:50 am

      You could use cabbage, brussels sprouts, celery, or turnips – all would be good with this!

      Reply
  9. Rachel says

    October 23, 2018 at 12:40 am

    Does the chicken need to be thawed?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      October 23, 2018 at 9:08 am

      Hey Rachel, yes, the chicken should be thawed before putting it in the slow cooker.

      Reply
  10. Merrill says

    August 20, 2018 at 2:00 pm

    I’ve recently bought a slow cooker and today, I am initiating it by making your whole chicken recipe. It sounds interesting and easy. I am looking forward to the finished product. Thanks for sharing your recipe. If it comes out as pretty as yours, I’ll snap a photo.

    Reply
  11. Kristen says

    July 31, 2018 at 7:08 pm

    I’ve made something similar but seasoned the chicken with basil, and for liquid I use white wine! 🙂

    Reply
  12. Christine Guinn says

    July 25, 2018 at 12:40 pm

    I am making this meal today, sooo looking forward to it. It was so easy to put together in just 15 minutes.

    Reply
  13. Chas Greener says

    July 18, 2018 at 4:37 pm

    Looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!

    Reply
  14. Maureen says

    July 13, 2018 at 4:22 am

    I love the recipe will become one of my hits. What type of slow cooker is best. Can I use an electric one?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 13, 2018 at 9:30 am

      Hey Maureen, here’s the slow cooker I have: https://amzn.to/2KVpm2e. I’ve been using this for years and love it! I also love the size of it!

      Reply
  15. Cindy says

    July 10, 2018 at 9:40 am

    I was wondering if the skin on the chicken is crispy?

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      July 10, 2018 at 5:29 pm

      Hey Cindy, if you want it to be crispy, please see Gwendolyn’s comment above. Enjoy this recipe!

      Reply
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