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Skip to RecipeRoasting 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.

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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
- 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.
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.
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.
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
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:
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Slow Cooker Roast Chicken
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!
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