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    Home » Recipes » Entrees

    The Best Crockpot Whole Chicken

    Published: May 8, 2016 · Updated: Jan 25, 2023 by Mindy Boyd

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    The Best Crockpot Whole Chicken - a rotisserie style chicken perfect for a quick dinner and to use in recipes that call for cooked chicken.  via @mindyscookingobsession
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    The Best Crockpot Whole Chicken is tender, juicy, and flavorful. I love making meals and main dishes in the crock pot and this slow cooker whole chicken recipe is especially easy. The great thing about making meals in the slow cooker is that it breaks up the dinner making process into shorter, easier sessions.

    Close up view of shredded chicken with the recipe title on the top center of the image.

    I also love slow cooking in the summer when it’s 100+ degrees outside so I don’t have to heat up my house as much. Another thing I love about crockpot cooking is that is isn’t so absolute as far as cook time. I can put something in the crock pot in the morning or early afternoon and when I am ready for it, it is ready for me. You can leave food in the crockpot too long but I have never ever burnt or overcooked anything in over 30+ years of making dishes in a slow cooker.

    Close up of the shredded rotisserie style chicken in a white bowl.

    This rotisserie-style chicken is a family favorite Sunday dinner served with mashed potatoes and a vegetable. We also make it just to use in other dishes. We used to buy a cooked chicken at the grocery store for all of our favorite recipes that call for precooked chicken but I realized I could make a bigger chicken for about the same money. Then I use it in two or three dishes throughout the week. This really helps me get dinner on the table faster more than one night of the week. Plus, it is better for us because I don’t use any oil. I also get to control the amount of salt that goes in this recipe.

    Vertical shot of shredded white and brown meat chicken on a wooden cutting board.

    Ingredients:

    See recipe card for exact amounts.

    The whole chicken and all the spices in little bowls that are needed to make the recipe.

    Ingredient Notes

    Just a few simple ingredients are all you need to make slow cooker chicken.

    Whole Chicken – I have a 7 quart oval crockpot and a six pound chicken fits perfectly. The chicken should not be frozen, fresh or thawed is best.

    Spices – this gives our chicken great flavor.

    How to Make This Crockpot Whole Chicken Recipe

    Wad up 5 pieces of aluminum foil into balls; I start with pieces that are about 12″ X 12″. Place in the bottom of the slow cooker.

    Mix paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl; rub the spice mixture on the outside of the chicken.

    Place seasoned chicken in the crockpot breast side up on top of the aluminum balls. Cook chicken on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 4-5 hours.

    Carefully remove the chicken and put it on a large platter. Before I had a large platter I would put the cooked chicken on sheet pan or cutting board to allow it to cool a bit before carving it off of the bones.

    The inside of the crockpot with 5 foil balls in it.

    Substitutions & Additions

    Use your favorite spices or fresh herbs.

    You can add large chunks of root vegetables such as onion, potatoes and carrots, if you like. Just leave the foil balls out and place the chicken on top of the vegetables then cook as directed. The chicken juices will give the vegetables great flavor.

    The raw seasoned chicken in the dark green crockpot.

    How Long To Cook a Whole Chicken in the Slow Cooker?

    Typical cook time for a whole chicken in the crockpot is 3-4 hours on high and 6-8 hours on low. A meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should read 165°. I didn’t have a thermometer until just recently and I have not used it for this. You can also get the chicken that has a pop-up timer so you will know for sure it is cooked properly.

    It is worth noting that cooking chicken in the crockpot will not result in crispy skin because the chicken basically steams.

    Close up side view of shredded chicken on a wooden cutting board.

    Should I Wash Chicken Before Cooking It?

    It is no longer recommended to rinse raw chicken before cooking it because you run the risk of spreading bacteria that can make you or anyone you are cooking for sick. There is a great article over at Self that breaks it all down for you.

    Shredded chicken laying on a wooden cutting board with a tea towel laying next to it.

    Why We Love Making Our Own “Store-bought Rotisserie Chicken”

    • Slow cooking results in a juicy chicken that is fall off the bone tender.
    • It is better for us than store bought.
    • Making our own is more cost effective because we can buy a bigger chicken to make if go farther. We get about 5 cups of cooked chicken from one 6ish pound chicken.
    • It is a great way to meal prep so we can get dinner on the table faster two or three nights that week.
    • Minimal effort is required because it only takes a few minutes of prep time to get the chicken into the crockpot. It also doesn’t take that long to debone the chicken.

    Storage

    Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container for 3 – 4 days, there is a great article over at Food Network about this. We keep our chicken in a zip top bag.

    A white bowl filled with shredded chicken with the recipe title at the top of the image.

    Chicken Recipes That Use Shredded or Cubed Chicken

    Low Carb Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas – uses 2 cups shredded

    Skinny Baked Chicken Spaghetti – uses 3 cups shredded

    Creamy White Chicken Chili – uses 4 cups shredded

    Super Healthy Chicken Salad – uses 3 cups shredded or cubed

    Chicken Pot Pie – uses 2 1/2 cups cubed

    Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas – uses 2 cups shredded

    Copycat Arby’s Grilled Chicken & Pecan Salad – uses 4 cups cubed

     

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    Shredded rotisserie style chicken on a wooden cutting board.

    The Best Crockpot Whole Chicken

    Mindy Boyd
    Make rotisserie style chicken at home in the crockpot. It makes a great dinner with potatoes and a vegetable. Plus it is a great option for any recipe that calls for cooked chicken.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 8 hours hrs
    Total Time 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 whole chicken 5-6 pounds
    • 1/2 tablespoon paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

    I earn a small commission from Instacart for qualifying purchases.

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    Instructions
     

    • Make five aluminum foil balls and place in the bottom of the crock pot.
    • Remove the neck and other chicken parts.
    • Mix paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Rub on chicken and place chicken breast side up on top of foil balls in the crock
    • Cover and cook on high for 4 - 5 hours or on low for 6 - 8 hours on high.

    Notes

    Nutritional values are approximate. 
    See in post notes above for valuable information that may help you make this recipe successfully.

    Bookmark this page to find it quickly when you are ready to make this recipe!

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.4g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 216IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Keyword crockpot chicken
    Did you make this?Please leave a comment on the blog or tag us on Instagram @mindyscookingobsession

     

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    Filed Under: Entrees Tagged With: easy crockpot whole chicken, homemade rotisserie chicken, how to make rotisserie chicken in the crockpot, slow cooker whole chicken, whole chicken

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. xnx.com says

      March 01, 2018 at 5:18 am

      The standard size slow cookers are a bit too small and a whole chicken wont fit.

      Reply
    2. Sue Etter says

      August 24, 2016 at 6:58 pm

      As a nurse crockpot cooking is a must. I like simple prep after working 12 hours, but have never tried a whole chicken. This looks awesome.

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        August 24, 2016 at 7:14 pm

        The seasoning makes it really flavorful and it couldn’t be easier. It is also an economical way to buy chicken. I am thankful for people like you that choose to work serving others, thanks!

        Reply
    3. Anna says

      August 23, 2016 at 11:32 pm

      What is the reason for putting chicken on foil balls? Wouldn’t it be better to cut up some veggies to make a bed for the chicken?

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        August 23, 2016 at 11:38 pm

        You could certainly use vegetables. I prefer the foil balls because the chicken gives off a lot of juice mixed with grease from the skin and we are trying to cut down on our fat consumption.

        Reply
    4. Candice | Whole Health Hacks says

      May 12, 2016 at 1:17 am

      This looks so easy and delicious! I’m always in need of crockpot recipes, so I’ll make sure to save this one for later.

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        May 12, 2016 at 3:24 am

        Using the crock pot is great, especially when it is hot out.Thanks for stopping by.

        Reply

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    Hey there! I'm Mindy and this is my husband, and biggest fan, Lee. Most of the recipes that I make use ingredients that can be found in any grocery store. No special equipment or skills required.

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