Go Back

Slow Cooker Whole Roasted Chicken

A whole chicken rubbed with spices and slow cooked until the meat falls off the bone. Sunday dinner with zero oven anxiety.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken, 4 to 5 lbs (1.8 to 2.3kg), giblets removed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (30ml)
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 large yellow onion, cut into thick slices for the bed
  • 1 lemon, halved for the cavity
  • 4 cloves garlic for the cavity
  • fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs for the cavity

Method
 

  1. Lay the thick onion slices (or crumpled balls of foil) in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. This keeps the chicken out of its juices so the bottom does not get soggy.
  2. Pat the chicken completely dry. Rub all over with olive oil, then coat generously with the mixed paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper, including under the skin of the breast where you can reach.
  3. Tuck the lemon halves, garlic cloves, and herb sprigs into the cavity. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine if you like.
  4. Set the chicken breast-side up on the onion bed. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours (or HIGH for 3.5 to 4 hours), until the thigh reads 165F (74C) and the leg wiggles freely.
  5. Carefully lift the chicken to a sheet pan, brush with cooking juices, and broil 4 to 5 minutes until golden. Watch it constantly.
  6. Rest 15 minutes before carving. Strain and save the cooking juices for gravy. Save the carcass for stock.

Notes

Tips: Do not add liquid; the chicken makes its own. Pat the skin very dry before seasoning for the best browning under the broiler. One bird gives dinner plus leftovers for tacos, soup, or chicken salad, and the carcass makes excellent overnight stock.
Storage: Refrigerate meat up to 4 days. Freeze cooked meat up to 3 months.
Estimated nutrition: about 450 calories per serving (estimated).