A Roast Chicken Dinner for Two made in the slow cooker is an easy and flavorful way to enjoy a cozy meal without much effort. This recipe allows you to cook a whole chicken along with vegetables, making for a complete dinner that’s tender, juicy, and delicious.
Here’s how you can make a Roast Chicken Dinner for Two in the slow cooker:
Roast Chicken Dinner for Two (Slow Cooker)
Ingredients:
- 1 small whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2-3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2-3 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1/2 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, halved
- 3-4 garlic cloves, smashed
- Fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme) for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up during cooking.
- Rub the chicken with olive oil (or melted butter) on all sides. Season generously with garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also rub some seasoning inside the cavity of the chicken.
- Stuff the chicken with the lemon halves, smashed garlic cloves, and any extra herbs you’d like to use for extra flavor.
2. Prepare the Vegetables:
- Place the potatoes, carrots, and onion chunks at the bottom of the slow cooker. This will create a bed for the chicken and also allow the vegetables to cook in the flavorful juices.
3. Slow Cook the Chicken:
- Place the prepared chicken on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker, breast side up.
- Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If you have a larger chicken or prefer crispy skin, you can cook on high for 3-4 hours, but for tender, juicy chicken, the low setting works best.
Tip: If you want extra crispy skin, you can briefly broil the chicken in the oven after it’s cooked through for about 5 minutes to get a golden, crispy finish.
4. Serve:
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
- Serve the chicken with the cooked vegetables from the slow cooker, and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Tips for Success:
- Crispy Skin: If you want crispy skin, you can finish the chicken under the broiler in your oven for 5 minutes or until golden and crisp.
- Vegetable Variety: Feel free to add other vegetables like parsnips, sweet potatoes, or Brussels sprouts for more variety and flavor.
- Gravy: If you’d like to make a gravy, remove the cooked vegetables and chicken from the slow cooker. Pour the juices into a small saucepan, bring to a simmer, and whisk in a little flour or cornstarch to thicken.
Enjoy!
This Slow Cooker Roast Chicken Dinner for Two is perfect for a simple yet hearty meal with minimal prep. The slow cooker makes the chicken incredibly tender, and the vegetables absorb all the delicious flavors. It’s an easy, one-pot meal that’s perfect for a cozy dinner for two!