Here’s a super easy and flavorful Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe — juicy, tender, and packed with flavor, like a rotisserie chicken but made at home with no fuss.
🍗 Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
🍽️ Serves: 4–6
🕐 Cook Time:
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Low: 6–8 hours
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High: 3.5–5 hours
🧂 Ingredients:
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1 whole chicken (4–5 lbs), giblets removed
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2 tbsp olive oil or butter
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Salt & pepper to taste
🔸 Spice Rub (adjust to taste):
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2 tsp paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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1 tsp dried thyme
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1 tsp dried rosemary
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1/2 tsp chili powder or cayenne (optional)
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1/2 tsp black pepper
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1 tsp salt
🔸 Optional Aromatics (for stuffing or layering):
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1 onion, quartered
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1 lemon, halved
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3–4 cloves garlic
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Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley)
👩🍳 Instructions:
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Prep chicken:
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Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
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Rub olive oil or butter all over.
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Mix the spice rub and coat the chicken evenly (inside and out).
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Add aromatics (optional):
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Stuff the cavity with onion, lemon, garlic, or fresh herbs for extra flavor.
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Layer bottom of slow cooker:
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Optionally place onion slices, carrots, or a few foil balls under the chicken to keep it elevated. This helps prevent the bottom from getting soggy.
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Cook:
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Place chicken breast-side up in the slow cooker.
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Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3.5–5 hours, until the internal temp is 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh.
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Optional – Crisp the skin:
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Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 4–5 minutes to crisp up the skin.
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Rest & serve:
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Let the chicken rest 10 minutes before carving. Spoon some juices over the meat before serving.
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🥕 Suggested Sides:
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Mashed potatoes or roasted veggies
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Rice or stuffing
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Gravy made from the slow cooker drippings
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Fresh salad or crusty bread
📝 Tips:
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Juices: Use the leftover broth/drippings for gravy or soup.
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Leftovers: Great for chicken salad, tacos, sandwiches, or casseroles.
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Don’t overcook: It’s easy to forget it’s in the slow cooker — check around the 6-hour mark on low.