• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sip Bite Go logo

  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Homemade Pizza
    • Sous Vide Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dish Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
  • Sous Vide
    • All Sous Vide Recipes
    • The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook
    • Sous Vide Lobster Tails
    • Sous Vide Frozen Steak
    • Sous Vide T Bone Steak
    • Sous Vide Chicken Wings
    • Sous Vide Egg Bites
  • Cookbooks
  • More
    • Entertaining
    • Kitchen Remodel
    • Travel
    • Blogging Chat
    • Shopping Guides
    • Check Ins
    • Giveaways
  • About
    • Get Updates
    • About Jenna
    • Start here
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
You are here: Home / Recipes / Slow Cooking Recipes / How to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot

How to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot

Dec 17, 2018 · 23 Comments

Pin773
Tweet
Share5
Share
778 Shares
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Amazon disclosure - We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

How to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot with garlic red onion and carrots
How to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot

Slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot for a filling, yet healthy meal. This easy easy weeknight dinner takes just a few minutes to prepare. Eat leftover crock pot chicken leftovers in salads for lunch or in chicken tacos the next night. Once you learn how to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot, you’ll be able to utilize this inexpensive ingredient in endless ways.

How to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot

This is one of the most delicious and healthy crock pot chicken recipes to get you acquainted with cooking a whole chicken. In this recipe video, you’ll learn how to transform a raw whole chicken to a hearty meal in the crock pot or slow cooker.

Cooking a roast chicken in a slow cooker is an easy way to get tender, fall off the bone chicken breast, thighs and wings with minimal effort. It’s one of my best chicken slow cooker recipes ever. And one of the most easy chicken crockpot recipes for two or four people.

How to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot

Buying a whole chicken is much less expensive than buying pre-sliced chicken breast or thighs. 

Once you learn how to cook a whole chicken in the crock pot, you can start making it in batches. Use slow cooked chicken in chicken pot pies, tacos, enchiladas, chicken wraps, protein-packed salads, or on top of homemade pizza with store bought dough.

How to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot

Can you put raw chicken breast in a slow cooker?

Yes, it is OK to put raw chicken in slow cooker. But I suggest you take a few minutes to sear the raw chicken in a pan on the stove before putting it in the crock pot. This will add maximum flavor and help the whole chicken stay together while slow cooking.

a whole chicken searing on the stove

How to sear a whole chicken on the stove

To sear a whole chicken on the stove before slow cooking it, marinade or season the chicken first. Add olive oil to a medium-hot pan that will fit the size of the whole raw chicken. Sear each side a few minutes until golden brown. Before turning each side, add another drizzle of olive oil.

How to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot with garlic red onion and carrots

How many hours does it take to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot?

Cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker turns out well on both the high setting for 4-6 hours, or the low setting for 6-8 hours. See the recipe for tips on how to make slow cooker roast chicken with crispy skin for just 20 extra minutes in the oven.

How to season a slow cooker whole chicken

This recipe calls for a marinade made with cilantro, garlic, lemon juice and spices. Alternatively, here are a few easy ideas to season a whole chicken before slow cooking it:

  • Old Bay
  • Salt Lick BBQ dry rub
  • Season under the chicken skin with butter and garlic, then add salt and pepper outside the skin
  • Italian dressing or seasoning
  • Onion powder and garlic powder
  • Sliced lemons and garlic
  • Montreal steak seasoning
  • Farm dust seasoning

For tender, fall of the bone chicken, add one cup (about 1”) chicken or vegetable broth to the slow cooker. If you don’t have broth, add water seasoned with herbs (rosemary, thyme, and/or two bay leafs) or salad dressing (try Italian or balsamic).

Save the tasty stock left over from the crock pot chicken for future recipes.

slow cooker with a whole chicken in the crock pot with carrots red onion and chicken broth

Making roasted or rotisserie chicken in the crock pot

Someone recently asked, “Can I roast a chicken in a slow cooker?”. The answer is yes. But cooking a roast chicken in a slow cooker requires one more step. If you’re craving a roasted or rotisserie chicken, first cook the whole chicken in the crock pot. Once it’s done, add butter to the outside and pop the whole chicken in the oven at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. This will crisp the skin.

Have you heard of sous vide cooking? That’s another way I like to cook chicken. See the recipe for sous vide whole roast chicken. 

Vegetables to cook with a whole chicken in the crock pot

Any vegetables added to the bottom of a whole chicken cooked in the crock pot will absorb delicious chicken droppings and double as a side. In this recipe for whole chicken cooked in the slow cooker, I use carrots, red onion and garlic. Potatoes, celery, and peppers are also great vegetables to cook with raw whole chicken in the crock pot.

Here’s a delicious idea: make baked potatoes while you slow cook whole chickens. Wrap seasoned potatoes in foil and place them below the chicken in the slow cooker.

Cooking chicken in the crock pot without vegetables

Don’t have vegetables to hold the chicken in the crock pot? Place four rolled up foil balls at the bottom of the crock pot to suspend the chicken over the stock while it cooks.

roasted whole chicken in the crock pot

One of my favorite sides to serve with slow cooked chicken is twice baked sweet potatoes with bleu cheese.

Slow cooked whole chicken in the crock pot is a meal that’s constantly revisited in my house, especially during the Fall and Winter months. If I’m just cooking for us two, I’ll sometimes have the butcher cut a whole chicken in half, and I’ll season and freeze the other half for a future meal. Otherwise, I’m usually happy to cook the whole chicken and eat the leftovers in tacos or in a hearty salad the next night.

Readers also love these chicken recipes

  • Baked Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce
  • Sous Vide Chicken Wings
  • Chicken Piccata Pasta
Print
How to slow cook a whole chicken in the crock pot

Slow cooked whole chicken in the crock pot (Sip Bite Go)

Cook a whole chicken in the crock pot to feed up to four people. If you’re cooking a crock pot chicken for two, you’ll probably have delicious leftovers you can use for a variety of other meals. This roast chicken in a slow cooker recipe creates tender, fall off the bone chicken with minimal effort.
Course Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Oven Roasting Time 20 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 438 kcal
Author Jenna Passaro

Ingredients

Chicken marinade

  • 2/3 cup cilantro chopped
  • 2 tbsp garlic diced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Chicken

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 1.5 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 red onion cut in half
  • 3 carrots
  • 1 tbsp garlic diced
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Ideally, marinade the chicken for one hour up to one day ahead. Alternatively, season chicken with recommendations in recipe post.
  2. Add olive oil to a large medium-hot pan. Sear the whole chicken for a few minutes on each side until golden brown, adding a drizzle of olive oil with each turn.
  3. Add vegetables and one cup (about 1”) chicken or vegetable broth to the slow cooker. If you don’t have broth, add water seasoned with herbs (rosemary, thyme, two bay leafs) or salad dressing (try Italian or balsamic).

  4. Slow cook the whole chicken on the high setting for 4-6 hours, or the low setting for 6-8 hours.
  5. Serve straight from the crock pot. Or, for crisp skin, once the chicken is done cooking in the crock pot, add butter to the outside of the chicken and roast the whole chicken in the oven 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
  6. Save any stock left over from the crock pot for future recipes.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

I’d love to see what you make with your whole chicken in the crock pot! Find me @sipbitego on Instagram and #sipbitego so I can see your meal!

Nutrition Facts
Slow cooked whole chicken in the crock pot (Sip Bite Go)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 438
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Main Dish Recipes, Recipes, Seasonal Fall Recipes, Seasonal Winter Recipes, Slow Cooking Recipes, Whole30 Approved Chicken

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    December 17, 2018 at 5:35 pm

    I love a good roast chicken! The skin looks great here. Thanks for all the helpful tips!5 stars

    Reply
  2. Lisa Bynum says

    December 17, 2018 at 6:18 pm

    I have never tried cooking an entire chicken in my crock pot, but I like the idea. Set it and forget it!5 stars

    Reply
  3. Candiss says

    December 17, 2018 at 8:35 pm

    I love having pre cooked chicken on hand for inclusion in other recipes. This sounds like an interesting way to cook the chicken instead of just roasting.

    Reply
  4. Jacque Hastert says

    December 17, 2018 at 10:53 pm

    Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe! I will be pulling out the slow cooker to make this easy and delicious dinner.5 stars

    Reply
  5. Neli Howard says

    December 18, 2018 at 12:14 am

    This looks delicious and like something I could absolutely wow my family with. My daughters really like chicken and I really like using the slow cooker!5 stars

    Reply
  6. Natalie says

    December 18, 2018 at 12:56 am

    Looks so delicious and perfect for hosting and dinner parties!5 stars

    Reply
  7. Handmade Jewelry Haven says

    December 22, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    Wow. This looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it!!

    Lisa5 stars

    Reply
  8. minimalistmiri says

    June 11, 2019 at 12:16 am

    Looks great! I love how much you can do with a crock pot!5 stars

    Reply
  9. Michael says

    June 11, 2019 at 3:38 am

    Hmmm. Honestly, it does not look appealing but I think it may taste great. A compliment to think of. Can be better in many ways but I appreciate the post really!

    Reply
  10. Monidipa Dutta says

    June 11, 2019 at 10:25 am

    I love chicken. I would love to try it out..5 stars

    Reply
  11. Miriam says

    June 11, 2019 at 7:53 pm

    Growing up in a Chinese household, we always cook some form of chicken crockpot dish! Definitely forwarding this to my mother and trying it out during the weekends!

    Reply
  12. Fran Jorgensen says

    June 11, 2019 at 8:04 pm

    Slow cooking is perfect for us over winter! This recipe looks all kind of amazing and I have no doubt it will be a big hit with my family! Thanks for sharing!5 stars

    Reply
  13. Bibimbea says

    June 11, 2019 at 8:08 pm

    Amazing! I never really knew how to cook chicken properly, so thank you for this!

    Reply
  14. Wren says

    June 11, 2019 at 9:41 pm

    That looks so easy to do! I have just been learning how to use my crockpot and this is certainly going on my list of things to try! looks delicious!

    Reply
  15. twinspirationalparties says

    June 12, 2019 at 12:26 am

    Wow, this looks so delicious.. Yummy.. Been craving for chicken nowadays this would be so perfect.. 😊5 stars

    Reply
  16. Djebe Laws says

    June 12, 2019 at 1:03 am

    Love my crockpot and I loved it when i finally was able to roast a chicken in there…makes life so much easier

    Reply
  17. Elizabeth O says

    June 12, 2019 at 1:26 am

    A perfect recipe for a festive family dinner ..Even kids can help in the cooking process..

    Reply
  18. Annabel O says

    June 12, 2019 at 1:58 am

    This looks so yummy! Adding lemon juice to my chicken was a game changer!

    Reply
  19. Elizabeth O says

    June 12, 2019 at 2:03 am

    It’s a perfect dish for a festive family dinner..Even the kids can help making this chicken recipe.5 stars

    Reply
  20. amy says

    June 12, 2019 at 6:57 am

    always wanted to try cooking this recipe, now I think is the right time haha, this looks mouth watering

    Reply
  21. Life Of Y says

    June 12, 2019 at 3:37 pm

    Licking my lips just looking at this! There’s nothing better than a good roast chicken dinner. Especially if the chicken is moist and tender from being slow-cooked!5 stars

    Reply
  22. Trisha Mishra says

    June 13, 2019 at 11:18 pm

    I have been wanting to invest in a crockpot – and I think your blog post has just pushed me ahead to go right ahead. The chicken does look lovely.

    Reply
  23. Raul says

    June 14, 2019 at 11:32 pm

    I feel hungry with the post. definitely will try to this since i also love to cook.5 stars

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

jenna passaro food blogger

I want to help you cook up your wildest dreams — in and out of the kitchen!

   

jenna passaro prepping sous vide steak

Years ago, I ditched a predictable career path with very few vacation days to pursue a life of fun, food and travel.

Along the way, I moved to Portland, launched this blog, wrote a cookbook, and started a family.

jenna on phone

Now my days are filled with recipe testing, creativity, family time, and chatting with foodie friends on my podcast.

Here at Sip Bite Go, you’ll learn my favorite restaurant style recipes. Get my secrets to making pizza at home and feel like a true home chef with my sous vide recipes.

Love to eat out and travel? I can totally relate. See my guide on where to eat in Portland, OR.

jenna passaro the home chef's sous vide cookbook

My new book is out! Take your kitchen skills to the next level with The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook.

 

Recent Favs

  • Making Pizza At Home with Store Bought Dough
  • How to Sous Vide Frozen Steak [Sous Vide Meal Prep]
  • The Best Store Bought Pizza Crust To Buy Pre Made
  • Fresh Trader Joe's Pizza Dough Recipes + Tips
  • How to make dried kiwi in the oven or food dehydrator
  • 50 + Gourmet Grilled Cheese Ideas (You've Never Tried!)
  • How to Sous Vide Chicken Breast Tenders

Footer

To provide the best user experience, this site uses cookies. Privacy Policy

Sip Bite Go
Recipe Index
Sous Vide Recipes

   

Sip Bite Go As Seen On

Work with Sip Bite Go
About | Contact
Privacy Policy
Get updates