The Best Slow Cooker Whole Chicken – Juicy & Tender!
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken is a true game-changer, delivering restaurant-quality tenderness with minimal effort. This foolproof method ensures juicy, flavorful meat infused with aromatic spices, fresh herbs, and hearty vegetables. With just a few minutes of prep, your slow cooker does the rest.
A blend of mustard powder, garlic, paprika, and brown sugar creates a rich, savory crust, while lemon and rosemary add bright, fragrant notes. The chicken slow-cooks over a bed of potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery, allowing every ingredient to soak up its delicious juices for an effortless one-pot meal.
Finish by broiling the chicken to achieve that irresistible golden, crispy skin. Pair it with the slow-cooked vegetables and a silky homemade gravy made from the pan drippings. Whether for a cozy family dinner or an impressive meal for guests, this dish delivers on flavor and simplicity.
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken: Essential Ingredients
Whole Chicken – The star of the dish, slow-cooked to tender, juicy perfection, absorbing the rich flavors of herbs and spices.
Brown Sugar & Spices – A balanced blend of sweetness and warmth, creating a flavorful crust with notes of garlic, paprika, and mustard.
Baby Potatoes & Carrots – Hearty and rustic, these vegetables soak up the chicken’s juices, delivering a melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep, comforting flavor.
Onions & Celery – The aromatic foundation, adding depth and a subtle sweetness that enhances the slow-cooked richness.
Garlic & Lemon – A vibrant duo infusing the chicken with bold, zesty, and savory undertones for an irresistible taste.
Rosemary – A fragrant herb that imparts an earthy, woodsy aroma, elevating the dish’s complexity with every bite.
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken: Recipe Tips, Serving Suggestions & FAQs
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken is a simple yet flavorful dish that delivers juicy, tender meat with minimal effort. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, these expert tips, serving ideas, and frequently asked questions will help you make the most of this easy, one-pot meal.
Recipe Tips
- Achieve Crispy Skin with a Simple Trick
While slow cooking yields incredibly tender meat, it won’t produce crispy skin. To get that golden, crackly exterior, transfer the cooked chicken to a roasting pan, lightly mist it with olive oil spray, and place it under a hot broiler for 3-5 minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent burning, and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving to retain juices. - Use a Trivet of Vegetables for Maximum Flavor
Instead of placing the chicken directly in the slow cooker, arrange onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes at the bottom. This prevents the chicken from stewing in its own juices while allowing the vegetables to absorb the rich drippings. It also ensures the chicken cooks evenly without becoming soggy. - Don’t Skip the Seasoning Inside and Out
Rubbing the chicken with a blend of mustard powder, garlic, paprika, and brown sugar creates a flavorful crust, but don’t forget the cavity! Stuffing it with half a lemon, rosemary, and garlic enhances the aroma and infuses the meat with bright, savory flavors. This simple step makes a noticeable difference in taste.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
- Garlic Butter Green Beans
A simple side of sautéed green beans tossed in garlic butter adds a fresh and vibrant contrast to the rich, slow-cooked chicken. The light crunch of the beans balances the dish, making each bite satisfying without being too heavy. - Homemade Dinner Rolls
Soft, buttery rolls are the perfect companion to this dish. Use them to soak up the delicious gravy, or enjoy them as a side to round out a comforting meal. Freshly baked rolls elevate the homemade feel of this slow-cooked classic. - Creamy Mashed Potatoes
While the slow-cooked potatoes are already packed with flavor, you can take things up a notch by making mashed potatoes. Whip them with butter, cream, and a hint of garlic for a silky-smooth side that pairs beautifully with the tender chicken and savory gravy.
FAQ
1. Can I cook the chicken on low instead of high?
Yes! If you prefer a longer cooking time, set your slow cooker to low and cook for 7-8 hours. This method enhances tenderness, making the meat even more succulent.
2. How do I know when the chicken is done?
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the chicken. It should read 75°C (165°F). Alternatively, pierce the meat—if the juices run clear, it’s fully cooked.
3. Can I use frozen chicken?
It’s best to use thawed chicken for even cooking and food safety. If using frozen, ensure it’s fully thawed before seasoning and cooking to prevent bacteria growth.
4. How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 175°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes or microwave in short intervals to prevent drying out.
This Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe is a foolproof way to enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal with minimal effort. Whether you serve it with buttery rolls or crisp greens, it’s a comforting dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- For the Chicken
- 2 kg 4.5 pounds whole chicken, giblets removed
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or Sukrin Gold Sweetener
- 2 teaspoons mustard powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 rosemary sprig
- 1 lemon halved
- Olive oil cooking spray
- For the Vegetables
- 16 baby potatoes skin on, scrubbed clean
- 4 carrots cut into large chunks
- 3 onions halved
- 2 celery stalks sliced
- 1 whole garlic bulb halved
- For the Gravy
- 120 ml ½ cup hot chicken stock, with additional if needed
- 1 tablespoon cornflour cornstarch, mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Salt to taste
- Reserved cooking juices from the slow cooker
Instructions
- Preparing the Chicken
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature, ensuring even cooking.
- Pat the chicken dry using paper towels; do not rinse. Trim any excess fat and discard the giblets if present.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar (or sweetener), mustard powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Evenly coat the chicken with the spice mixture, seasoning generously with salt and pepper.
- Insert the halved lemon and rosemary sprig into the cavity of the chicken.
- Preparing the Slow Cooker
- Arrange the onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, and garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker to form a natural trivet. If omitting the vegetables, place a silicone rack or crumpled aluminum foil under the chicken to allow fat to drain.
- Position the chicken on top of the vegetables or rack, ensuring it is elevated from direct contact with the cooker base.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours. Check at the 4-hour mark using a digital thermometer, ensuring the thickest part of the chicken registers 75°C (165°F). Alternatively, pierce the bird to confirm the juices run clear or slice into the thickest section to verify it is fully cooked.
- If the chicken requires additional cooking, continue for another 15-20 minutes before rechecking.
- Once done, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker, tilting it forward to drain any internal juices. Transfer to a roasting pan. Optionally, place the potatoes alongside the chicken.
- Lightly mist the chicken with olive oil cooking spray and broil under high heat until the skin crisps to a golden finish.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 20 minutes before carving.
- Preparing the Gravy
- Strain the remaining slow cooker juices through a sieve, discarding the onion, celery, and other solids.
- Pour the strained liquid into a gravy separator, removing excess fat before transferring the remaining liquid to a saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, adding additional chicken stock as needed to adjust volume.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and cornflour slurry. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as required.
- Serving
- Carve the chicken and serve with the reserved carrots, potatoes, and freshly prepared gravy.
