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    Home » Chicken » Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

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    Easy slow cooker whole chicken is the easiest way to cook a whole rotisserie chicken with just a few minutes of prep. It is so soft and tender and the meat literally falls off the bone. This chicken is packed with flavour that is enhanced with balsamic vinegar and a simple seasoning blend. Plus, throw in some potatoes and carrots to soak up all the delicious chicken juices in this complete one pot meal.

    Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep. | aheadofthyme.com

    We have been really into making whole chickens this year. Remember our delicious dutch oven whole roast chicken and a roasted spatchcock chicken (butterflied chicken). And now, we have added a slow cooker chicken to the mix. The tenderness of the slow cooker chicken is truly unmatched. If you know, then you know. So it's kind of the perfect chicken to use in sandwiches and so many other recipes.

    How to Use Leftover Whole Chicken

    Here are some of the most popular ways to use up any leftover slow cooked rotisserie chicken:

    • Add it to soups and stews. Shred the chicken and add it in lemon chicken orzo soup or in Indian butter chicken. When using leftover slow cooked chicken, it makes those recipes so much faster to make.
    • Throw it in pasta. Use leftover chicken in baked pasta with chicken or add it to creamy alfredo with spinach and mushrooms.
    • Top it on a salad. Add some chicken into a winter kale salad with apple cider vinaigrette or use it in a Mexican chicken caesar salad.
    • Add it to pizza. Use shredded chicken as a topping in 30-minute BBQ chicken pizza or mushroom and arugula pizza.

    The options are endless. You can use it in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken. Try it in BBQ chicken stuffed potatoes or butternut squash quesadillas with chicken.

    Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredients

    To make this, you will need some simple ingredients:

    • whole chicken - 2 to 3 lb. whole chicken with the neck and giblets removed.
    • chicken seasoning - olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce (optional), brown sugar, paprika, salt and pepper.
    • fresh thyme - to stuff inside the cavity.
    • garlic - to stuff inside the cavity.
    • onion
    • potatoes
    • carrots
    • salt and pepper

    Equipment used: slow cooker/crockpot and digital meat thermometer. 

    Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Slow Cooker Balsamic Whole Chicken

    First, prep the chicken. Pat dry the whole chicken with paper towel completely before adding seasoning.

    In a bowl, combine all chicken seasoning ingredients and stir well into a smooth paste. Rub and spread the mixture over the entire chicken including inside the cavity. Wear disposable gloves to make it easier to clean up. Stuff the sprigs of thyme and half the garlic inside the cavity. Set the chicken aside on a plate.

    Now, let's assemble everything into the slow cooker. Place the chopped onion, remaining half garlic, potatoes and carrots inside the slow cooker or crockpot and spread out evenly. Place the whole chicken on top with the breast side up.

    Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep. | aheadofthyme.com

    Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the internal temperature in the breast reaches 165 F as read on a digital meat thermometer. Depending on the size of the chicken and the brand of the slow cooker, the average cooking time varies between 4.5 to 6.5 hours on the low setting.

    Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep. | aheadofthyme.com

    To get crispy skin, let's broil the slow cooked chicken. Carefully transfer the whole chicken with the breast side up onto a baking sheet. Note that the chicken is very soft and tender. Turn the broiler on high and broil for 3-4 minutes or until the skin turns brown and crispy.

    Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep. | aheadofthyme.com

    Place the chicken on a plate and let it cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with the vegetables and drizzle on some drippings from the slow cooker.

    Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken

    • How to test when chicken is done: Use a digital meat thermometer so that you never end up with undercooked or overcooked chicken. Simply insert halfway inside the chicken breast to get a quick reading. Once the thermometer reads 165F, the chicken is done.
    • How to get crispy skin: The secret to getting that perfect crispy skin is to broil the chicken after it's been slow cooked. This will give you soft and tender chicken meat but with crispy skin.
    • How to store: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

    How to Use Leftover Whole Chicken

    The best thing about this soft and tender slow cooker chicken is that it is perfect for using in other recipes. Here are some of the most popular ways to use up any leftovers:

    • Add it to soups and stews. Shred the chicken and add it in lemon chicken orzo soup or in Indian butter chicken. When using leftover slow cooked chicken, it makes those recipes so much faster to make.
    • Throw it in pasta. Use leftover chicken in baked pasta with chicken or add it to creamy alfredo with spinach and mushrooms.
    • Top it on a salad. Add some chicken into a winter kale salad with apple cider vinaigrette or use it in a Mexican chicken caesar salad.
    • Add it to pizza. Use shredded chicken as a topping in 30-minute BBQ chicken pizza or mushroom and arugula pizza.

    The options are endless. You can use it in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken. Try it in BBQ chicken stuffed potatoes or butternut squash quesadillas with chicken.

    Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken
    • Apple Cider Chicken with Butternut Squash
    • Roasted Spatchcock Chicken
    • Skillet Chicken Thighs with Potatoes
    • Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables
    • Apple Dijon Braised Chicken Thighs

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

    Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more recipe updates.

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    Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep. | aheadofthyme.com

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken


    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Sam | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 servings
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep.


    Ingredients

    • 1 whole chicken (2 to 3 lbs.), neck and giblets removed
    • few sprigs of fresh thyme
    • 1 bulb garlic, cut in half crosswise
    • 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
    • 2 medium potatoes, quartered
    • 2 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
    • salt and pepper (to taste)

    Chicken Seasoning:

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon paprika
    • ½ tablespoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions

    Prep the Chicken:

    1. Pat dry the whole chicken with paper towel completely before adding seasoning.
    2. In a bowl, combine all chicken seasoning ingredients and stir well into a smooth paste. Rub and spread the mixture over the entire chicken including inside the cavity. Wear disposable gloves to make it easier to clean up.
    3. Stuff the sprigs of thyme and half the garlic inside the cavity. Set the chicken aside on a plate.

    Slow Cook the Chicken:

    1. Place the chopped onion, remaining half garlic, potatoes and carrots inside the slow cooker or crockpot and spread out evenly. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
    2. Place the whole chicken on top with the breast side up. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, until the internal temperature in the breast reaches 165 F. Depending on the size of the chicken and the brand of the slow cooker, the average cooking time varies between 4.5 to 6.5 hours on the low setting.

    Broil the Chicken:

    1. Carefully transfer the whole chicken with the breast side up onto a baking sheet. Note that the chicken is very soft and tender.
    2. Turn the broiler on high and broil for 3-4 minutes or until the skin turns brown and crispy.
    3. Place the chicken on a plate and let it cool for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with the vegetables and drizzle on some drippings from the slow cooker.

    Notes

    Equipment used: slow cooker/crockpot and digital meat thermometer. 

    How to test when chicken is done: Use a digital meat thermometer so that you never end up with undercooked or overcooked chicken. Simply insert halfway inside the chicken breast to get a quick reading. Once the thermometer reads 165F, the chicken is done.

    How to get crispy skin: The secret to getting that perfect crispy skin is to broil the chicken after it's been slow cooked. This will give you soft and tender chicken meat but with crispy skin.

    How to store: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 4 hours
    • Category: Chicken
    • Method: Slow Cooker
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: slow cooker balsamic whole chicken, slow cooker whole chicken, balsamic chicken, whole chicken, rotisserie chicken

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    Slow cooker whole chicken is soft and tender and literally falls off the bone. It is the easiest way to cook a rotisserie chicken with a few minutes prep. | aheadofthyme.com
    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gina says

      February 04, 2021 at 3:40 am

      I can't believe how simple and delicious this was! Thank you for sharing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says

        February 04, 2021 at 8:50 am

        Thank you Gina! It's a favourite over here!

        Reply
    2. Izzy says

      February 03, 2021 at 9:49 pm

      What I love the most about this recipe is how simple it is to prepare. I love that it's a slow cooking recipe too because I can leave it in the afternoon and have it ready at just the right time for dinner! Tysm!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Sam Hu | Ahead of Thyme says

        February 03, 2021 at 10:49 pm

        Yes it seriously makes life so easy! So glad you liked the recipe!

        Reply

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