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
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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!
Tara says
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.
linda says
I am trying this recipe right now i put green onion,ans instead of salt i used garlic salt and added minced garlic also
Hayley Russell says
My family loved this receipe, tasty & succulent meal in one!
George says
Made this yesterday, and added red pepper flakes for some heat. We really liked it served with mashed potatoes.
Pamela says
I love that you added some red pepper flakes! Thanks for commenting and letting me know you liked the recipe!
Erin says
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?
Pamela says
Hey Erin, you could cook it for 7 hours on low.
Rebecca says
Just curious what everyone does with leftovers. Would chicken prepared this way do well in salads?
Pamela says
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!).
Shea says
Has anyone used a large round crock pot ? Wondering if chicken is to big and I will need an oval crock pot.. ? thank you.
Pamela says
Hey Shea, how many quarts is your crock pot?
Sandy says
Do you have suggestions for non starch veggies? I am definitely going to try but eating low carb. Thank u
Pamela says
You could use cabbage, brussels sprouts, celery, or turnips – all would be good with this!
Rachel says
Does the chicken need to be thawed?
Pamela says
Hey Rachel, yes, the chicken should be thawed before putting it in the slow cooker.
Merrill says
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.
Kristen says
I’ve made something similar but seasoned the chicken with basil, and for liquid I use white wine! 🙂
Christine Guinn says
I am making this meal today, sooo looking forward to it. It was so easy to put together in just 15 minutes.
Chas Greener says
Looks fantastic! Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!
Maureen says
I love the recipe will become one of my hits. What type of slow cooker is best. Can I use an electric one?
Pamela says
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!
Cindy says
I was wondering if the skin on the chicken is crispy?
Pamela says
Hey Cindy, if you want it to be crispy, please see Gwendolyn’s comment above. Enjoy this recipe!