Try This Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe (SO Easy and Flavorful!)

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe – SUPER Easy To Do!

It’s been a while since I’ve sung the praises of cooking a whole chicken in the crockpot, so I figured it was high time I give it a bit of attention.  Now, I know it’s kinda gross to tackle cooking a whole chicken if you’ve never done it before (be sure to grab some kitchen gloves!), but the meat is so delicious, and you can’t beat the price.

Pro Tip: This recipe is from our Slow Cooker Volume 2 Menu Plan Box! 

You can typically find whole chickens on sale for around $0.99/lb. (that’s currently my stock up price), but if you see a price lower than that – definitely consider stocking up even MORE (especially with costs going up!).

I’ve started purchasing 3-4 when they’re on sale and cooking them two at a time in my slow cooker so that I have a bunch of meat when I need it in a hurry!  

And believe it or not, this recipe really doesn’t require any liquid ~ your chicken will make plenty of juices on it’s own. If you have any suggestions on other ways to cook whole chicken, I’d love to hear them!

Here’s the ingredients you’ll need: 

• whole chicken
• brown sugar
• chili powder
• smoked paprika
• dried thyme
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• salt
• pepper
• olive oil

Here’s how to make a whole chicken in your slow cooker:

Gather up your spices (brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper) and combine in a small bowl.  Remove the innards from your chicken, rinse, and pat dry.  Then, rub the spice mixture all over your chicken.

Add 4 balls of aluminum foil to the bottom of your slow cooker to create a rack for your chicken, then place the chicken on top of the roil balls. Cover and cook on high for 4 – 5 hours, or until juices run clear and your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees fahrenheit.

If you like crispy skin, preheat your boiler to high and place chicken on a foil lined rimmed baking sheet.  Drizzle the chicken with a small amount of olive oil and broil 1 – 2 minutes or until skin is crisp.

Slice chicken to serve and enjoy!

Print Recipe

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time5 hours hrs

Servings: 4

Calories: 457kcal

Equipment

• slow cooker

Ingredients

• 6 - 7 lb whole chicken
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
• 1/2 Tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• olive oil

Instructions

• Remove innards from chicken, rinse with water and pat dry.
• Add 4 balls of aluminum foil to bottom of large slow cooker to create a rack for the chicken to cook on.
• In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients except olive oil, then rub mixture all over chicken. Place chicken in slow cooker on top of the foil balls.
• Cover and cook on high 4 - 5 hours, until juices run clear and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees fahrenheit.
• For crispy skin, preheat broiler to high and place chicken on a foil lined rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle chicken with a small amount of olive oil and broil 1 - 2 minutes, or until skin is crisp.
• Slice chicken to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 457kcal

After your chicken cooked, serve it up with some mashed potatoes and veggies for dinner, then save all the extra meat to use in other recipes.  Here are some of our favorite chicken recipes:

• Chicken Tortilla Soup 
• Crockpot Chicken and Dressing
• Chicken & Dumplings
• Chicken Pot Pie

Looking for more recipe ideas?  Here are TONS of family friendly recipes you’ll enjoy!