Chicken has always been our go-to dinner at home. It makes an effortless family weeknight dinner and most notably this Slow Cooker Whole Chicken is certainly as tasty as this Cajun Whole Roast Chicken and this Beer Can Chicken. Oh how I wish I could exactly tell you in words how amazing this bird is!
Can you put a whole chicken in a slow cooker?
Yes, you sure can! I prefer to use an organic chicken which I’d freshly pick from a local market nearby. Anyways, for a larger oval slow cooker like the one I’m using right now, it can house almost any sized of chicken. On the other hand, for smaller round slow cooker, opt for a smaller bird so it’d fit in.
Is it safe to cook a whole chicken in slow cooker?
It is safe to cook a whole chicken in a slow cooker. I’ve done it many times and it always turns out exactly as I want it to be. But I don’t want to take any chances even after countless of cooking; I’d still double check the bird using a cooking thermometer. You can buy them online or at a big store in your area in the kitchen gadgets section.
How long to cook chicken in a crock pot?
The exact cooking time will actually depend on the size of your chicken and your slow cooker. For a 5-6 pound chicken, you have to set the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 hours. Or set it to LOW and cook for 4-5 hours. You could tell when the chicken is done if it registers 165°F in the breast or 175°F-180°F in the thickest part of the thigh and when the juices run clear.
Aside being the perfect family meal on regular days, this Slow Cooker Whole Chicken is also a great main course for special occasions and holidays. It taste sooo darn good without slaving in the kitchen! Well, as for the taste, I’ll have to give full credits to my trusted homemade creole seasoning. All it takes is a simple rub to create a majestic drool-worthy main dish. Even the bed of vegetable chunks benefit all from those flavorful juice drippings coming off from the chicken.
You can actually serve this slow cooker whole chicken from there or spare another 5-8 minutes of your time to broil the chicken for that touch of crispy skin and beautiful brown color. Now dust off your slow cooker and start hoarding easy and delicious slow cooker recipes for the colder season. Don’t forget to add this on your recipe box. 😉 Enjoy! Tips and Notes: Remove any giblets from chicken then rinse chicken with water, inside and out, then pat dry with paper towels.
Rub inside and out chicken with salt, pepper and bouillon powder. Stuff with smashed garlic and lemon .Generously rub the chicken with homemade creole seasoning, then refrigerate until ready to cook. If time permits do it the night before (up to 24 hours is best).
When ready to cook, add chopped onion, remaining garlic, bay leaf, in bottom of crock pot.
Place chicken over onions,in slow cooker, breast side up. Add potatoes, celery stalks, and carrots (optional) in any available space all around the chicken. Throw in thyme sprig
Cover and cook chicken: Set the slow cooker to HIGH, and cook for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours; or set to LOW and cook 4 to 5 hours. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and type of your chicken. Chicken is well done when meat temperature registers 165°F in the breast or 175°F-180°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
If desired, set oven to broil then carefully transfer chicken from slow cooker and place in a roasting pan. Broil for 5 to 8 minutes, until the skin is crispy and brown. Remove from oven; let chicken stand 10 minutes before carving. So the juices settle back into the meat. Discard bay leaves, smashed garlic and lemon.
