A rotisserie style seasoned chicken that is all cooked in the slow cooker. Only 2 minutes of prep as you just rub the chicken with the seasoned oil and then put it in the slow cooker for 4 hours. A Slow Cooker Whole Chicken makes a roast dinner so much easier and leaves your oven free for those crispy roasted veggies. Shred this chicken up and use in meals throughout the week.
We always used to buy a whole rotisserie chicken when we went shopping, and shredded it up for meals throughout the week, because we couldn't be bothered to roast a chicken in the oven. But there is literally no effort required here for slow cooker roast chicken.
Just a glug of oil, a raid of your spice rack and let the slow cooker do the work. Whole chicken in the slow cooker means perfectly cooked, juicy chicken that has so many ways to use it. If you have ever wondered if you can slow cook a roast chicken, then this recipe is for you!
If you are looking for some more chicken recipes, then why not try our delicious Moroccan Chicken Flatbreads, easy Crispy Chicken Goujons, classic Hunter's Chicken or impressive Caprese Chicken?
Jump to:
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken - A whole chicken is what is needed for this recipe. Choose the size of your chicken based on the size of your slow cooker. It needs to be able to comfortably fit inside.
- Oil - We extra olive oil for slow cooking a roast chicken.
- Herbs/seasoning - There are so many options. For a classic roast chicken flavor, we used dried oregano and basil and then added some paprika and garlic powder too. Thyme also works well with chicken. We would recommend using dried herbs rather than fresh herbs.
- Lemon - This helps to add moisture and really lightens up the slow cooker roast chicken.
Variations
You can adapt this recipe for cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker to have a totally different flavored chicken. Add your favorite spice blends like Fajita or Cajun and mix it with the oil and use in the same way. You could even use Chinese five spice for an Asian twist, or even curry powder.
What Size Chicken to Use
We used a 1.6kg (3.5lb) chicken which will provide around eight servings. Of course you can use a larger chicken, but it depends on the size of your slow cooker. The slow cooker we used is a 4.5lt Crockpot DuraCeramic, which is perfect for this size chicken.
How to Make Slow Cooker Whole Chicken -Step by Step
- Step 1: Roll up three pieces of aluminium foil into balls and place them at the bottom of the slow cooker pot.
- Step 2: Place the whole chicken on top of the foil balls.
- Step 3: Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
- Step 4: Cover the chicken with the dressing.
- Step 5: Cook for 7-8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
How Long to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Slow Cooker?
Depending on the size of the chicken you are using, it will either take 4 hours on high or 7 hours on low. Cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker is very forgiving though, so if you leave it in a bit longer then it won't get dry as quickly as if you overcooked it in the oven.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
This slow cooked whole chicken can be served with pretty much anything you like! Serve it with roast vegetables and potatoes for a great Sunday lunch, or just slice the chicken up for chicken mayo sandwiches.
If you are looking for lots of delicious roast dinner side dish recipes, then take a look at our post on How To Have a Healthy Roast Dinner.
You could make a chicken salad, or add it to tacos or a curry - the options are only restricted by your imagination. Why not try it in our Chicken Caesar Salad?
We love using it in our Leftover Chicken Pasta, Chicken and Pea Risotto or Chicken Korma. For proper comfort food when you are feeling run down, why not make a chicken noodle soup.
Storage
Store: Once you have allowed the crock pot whole chicken to fully cool down, you can portion it out and put it in the fridge in an air tight containers and it will be good for up to 2 days.
Freeze: To freeze, allow it to cool fully and then put it in a freezable container and it will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Defrost: You can defrost it in the freezer overnight.
Reheat: You can reheat it on the hob in other dishes (like pasta sauces or a curry) or on its own in the microwave, until piping hot throughout.
Extra Tips
- Make different flavored chicken with your favorite spice blend, like fajita of Cajun.
- You can add a little butter to the slow cooker to give the liquids a richer flavor.
- This recipe is for a medium sized chicken, however that might be too big for your slow cooker, so check the size.
- Shred the chicken up and us it in meals for the rest of the week.
- Don't skip the foil ball step, as it stops the chicken from steaming in its juices.
- If you want crispy skin, put the whole chicken under the grill for 5 minutes after it has finished cooking.
- Save the juices to make a gravy with.
- Be careful when lifting the chicken out of the slow cooker as it will try to fall apart. Try to get someone to help you and using spatulas all around it, slowly lift it out.
- Don't throw away the cavity once you have shredded all the chicken. You can use it to make Homemade Chicken Stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
You might think you can skip this step, and whilst you technically could, you won't get the same results. The balls of foil act as a rack, and when the chicken releases all the juices when cooking, the foil stops it from steaming in the juices. You could put chunks of carrot and onion at the bottom and put the chicken on top of that too. This will give the best results when cooking a roast chicken in the slow cooker.
Whilst this slow cooker whole chicken is totally fuss free, it doesn't give you that crispy skin that you would get from roasting it. If you want that after slow cooking, then transfer the whole chicken to a baking tray and then put it under the grill (broil) for 5 minutes, or until golden. Adding paprika to the rub is what gives this a browned look without browning.
Don't waste the juices that come out of the chicken when cooking - save them to make a gravy like our Onion Gravy. Add a little stock and then a cornflour slurry to thicken it up. You could use some gravy granules too to make it easier.
We have tested it both ways a few times and we find that having the chicken breasts side facing up gives the best results.
The best way to ensure that it is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. Chicken is cooked when it has an internal temperature of 75°C/167°F at the thickest part and not touching bone.
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
If you’ve tried this slow cooker chicken recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) Whole chicken
- 3 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 pinch Sea salt and ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried basil
- 0.5 Lemon - (juice only)
Instructions
- Roll up three pieces of aluminium foil into balls and place them at the bottom of the slow cooker pot.
- Place the whole chicken on top of the foil balls.
- Mix together the dressing ingredients.
- Cover the chicken with the dressing.
- Cook for 7-8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
Recipe Tips
- Make different flavored chicken with your favorite spice blend, like fajita of Cajun.
- This recipe is for a medium sized chicken, however that might be too big for your slow cooker, so check the size.
- Shred the chicken up and us it in meals for the rest of the week.
- Don't skip the foil ball step, as it stops the chicken from steaming in its juices
- If you want crispy skin, put the whole chicken under the grill for 5 minutes after it has finished cooking.
- Save the juices to make a gravy with.
- Be careful when lifting the chicken out of the slow cooker as it will try to fall apart. Try to get someone to help you and using spatulas all around it, slowly lift it out.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Shashi says
I'm saving this recipe as I have never cooked a whole chicken in a slow cooker - but at holiday gatherings, this is gonna be a must make!
Charla says
The chicken looks so good that I'm even willing to forgo my traditional Caribbean Sunday dinner just to try it
Chris Collins says
Looks so delicious! Can't wait to try it out - slow cooker is out ready and waiting :)
Kushigalu says
What a great Chicken dish to try. Thanks for all the tips too.
Bry says
So easy, and the chicken was so moist and flavoursome! A real game changer and makes a roast chicken for lunches and sandwiches much easier!
Neil Harvey says
We have been roasting chicken like this for years. However, instead or as well as the foil, we always place the chicken on some carrot, onion, celery and garlic. No need to cut the vegetables into small pieces. When the chicken is cooked, the vegetables can be discarded but they will have added their flavours to the stock. Also, once the chicken is carved, don't throw away the carcass. Instead, put it back in the slow cooker with carrot, onion, celery, garlic, herbs, chilli (optional) and seasoning. Plenty of water - up to two thirds covering the carcass and cook on slow for at least 8 hours. Throw away the veg and the carcass but keep the stock.
Beth Pierce says
Yummy! I can't wait to make this. What an easy way to make dinner easy! Thanks!
Adrianne says
Paprika, oregano and basil sound like a great flavour combination. I have made chicken in the SC before but not these flavours so I can't wait to give them a go. Cheers for the recipe!
Sharon says
I love making this one because it's made right tin the slow cooker and hardly any work at all to make.
Nicole Tingwall says
This was such a game changer for me! I used to buy a roasted chicken once a week and now I can make it myself! Thanks for all your tips!
Anjali says
I love how easy this recipe is!! Having something that I can "set and forget" with the kids running around is a life saver!
Jen says
This is such a life saver! I've been one like this every other week and then using the chicken for my meals throughout the week. So easy!!
Caroline says
Roast chicken is definitely a favorite here and we love a whole chicken both for the different cuts and bones for stock. I've seen it made in the slow cooker but haven't tried it yet. This looks tasty and love how easy it is.
Danielle Wolter says
What a great simple recipe! Such an easy way to make chicken delicious!
Helen @ family-friends-food.com says
I love how simple this is! It looks great and literally couldn't be any easier - perfect.
veenaazmanov says
Juicy, moist and flavorful and the best slow cooker method. I love it.