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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Whole Slow Cooker Chicken

    Modified: Jun 2, 2025 · Published: Aug 19, 2020 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Slow Cooker Roast Chicken

    Roasting a chicken in the slow cooker is the perfect way to make a rotisserie-style chicken without having to heat up the house or watch the oven. Whole Cooker Chicken is also a great way to make a large amount of cooked chicken for use in other recipes when you're doing meal prep. 

    Slow Cooker Roast Chicken
    Jump to:
    • What's in Whole Slow Cooker Chicken
    • How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Slow Cooker
    • Side Dishes for Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
    • Tips for Slow Cooker Roast Chicken
    • Drink Pairing
    • Ways to use Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Slow Cooker Roast Chicken

    If you’re looking for an easy, hands-off way to make a juicy, flavorful whole chicken, this slow cooker roast chicken recipe is exactly what you need. With just a few minutes of prep and minimal ingredients, your crockpot does all the hard work—no oven required. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy weekend dinner, this simple recipe delivers a tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken every time.

    Making a whole chicken in the slow cooker is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you're planning ahead for meal prep or just want a no-fuss dinner option, this method guarantees moist, flavorful meat with very little effort. It's a great alternative to store-bought rotisserie chicken—and you get to control the seasoning and ingredients.

    This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy homemade comfort food with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. Just season the chicken, place it in your crockpot, and let it cook to perfection while you go about your day. It’s the ultimate “set it and forget it” dinner solution.

    What's in Whole Slow Cooker Chicken

    Ingredients for cooking a chicken in the slow cooker.
    • Whole chicken - Choose a small fryer chicken for this recipe to make sure it fits into you slow cooker.
    • Olive oil - Choose your favorite olive oil for this recipe.
    • Salt and pepper - This is simply seasoned recipe to allow you the most flexibility for how to serve or use the meat.

    How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Slow Cooker

    Take 4 large sheets of tin foil and crumble each one in a ball. 

    Place the tin foil balls in the bottom of your slow cooker. 

    Ball of foil on the bottom of a slow  cooker

    Remove anything packed inside the cavity of the chicken and rinse it out with cold water. 

    Place the chicken - breast side up - in the slow cooker on top of the balls of foil. 

    Rub the chicken with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 

    Raw chicken in the slow cooker

    Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. 

    Turn off the slow cooker.

    Remove the lid and let chicken rest in the slow cooker for 10 minutes before cutting and serving. 

    Enjoy!

    Side Dishes for Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

    Roast Chicken calls for simple and delicious side dishes. Try my Garlic Parmesan Potato Rounds, Roasted Asparagus with Goat Cheese, Chili Garlic Roasted Carrots with Yogurt Sauce, or Sheet Pan Apple Bacon Brussels Sprouts.

    Chili and Garlic Roasted Carrots
    Chili and Garlic Roasted Carrots
    Apple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
    Apple Bacon Brussels Sprouts

    Tips for Slow Cooker Roast Chicken

    • If using the chicken in other recipes, after removing for the slow cooker, allow the chicken to cool completely before handling. 
    • Slow cooker roast chicken will NOT get you crispy chicken skin. For crispy skin, move the chicken from the slow cooker to a metal 9x13 pan and place under the broiler until the chicken skin is the desired crispness. 

    Drink Pairing

    A pair of coupe glasses filled with bee's knees cocktail with fresh lemons.

    Enjoy a classic Bee's Knees cocktail with your roast chicken.

    Ways to use Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot

    Cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker is an easy way to make shredded chicken for other recipes. You'll end up with more meat and better flavor versus a grocery store rotisserie chicken. Use your shredded chicken in:

    • Homemade White Bean and Kale Soup
    • Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes
    • Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
    • Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread on the Grill
    • Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad

    Print the Recipe Card

    Slow Cooker Roast Chicken

    Slow Cooker Roast Chicken

    Katy McAvoy
    Whole Slow Cooker Chicken a great way to make a rotisserie-style chicken for - dinner or meal prep - without having to heat up the house or watch the oven.
    No ratings yet
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
    Servings 8 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 5-7 pound whole chicken
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Take 4 large sheets of tin foil and crumble each on in a ball. 
    • Place the tin foil balls in the bottom of your slow cooker. 
    • Remove anything packed inside the cavity of the chicken and rinse it out with cold water. 
    • Place the chicken - breast side up - in the slow cooker on top of the balls of foil. 
      5-7 pound whole chicken
    • Rub chicken with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
      1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
    • Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. 
    • Turn off the slow cooker.
    • Remove the lid and let chicken rest in the slow cooker for 10 minutes before cutting and serving. 
    • Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6ouncesCalories: 308kcalCarbohydrates: 0.2gProtein: 25gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 677mgPotassium: 261mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.001gVitamin A: 192IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    I love when you share my recipes!

    293 shares

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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