Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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