Tillie Doyle
Slow cooking a whole chicken in a crock pot is a simple and tasty way to cook a rotisserie-style chicken. It's an easy dinner option, and the leftover chicken can be used in countless other dishes. It's also a great way to make the chicken more tender and tasty than other forms of cookery. The chicken is placed in the crock pot with vegetables and spices and cooked for several hours. The crock pot size should be chosen according to the size of the chicken.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 4-8 hours |
| Crockpot size | Large enough to accommodate the chicken |
| Chicken size | Smaller chicken for smaller crockpot |
| Chicken position | Breast side up or down |
| Temperature | 250 degrees |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, onion, lemon, cayenne pepper, thyme, white pepper, black pepper, herbs de Provence, rosemary, sage |
| Vegetables | Onion, potatoes, carrots, celery |
| Liquid | No liquid needed, chicken will produce its own juices |
| Broiler | Optional, for crispy skin |
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What You'll Learn
Seasoning and prep
First, you'll want to select a chicken that fits inside your crock pot. If you're using a smaller round slow cooker, opt for a smaller bird. You can choose to marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 24 hours or more—the longer you leave it, the more intense the flavour will be. A simple spice blend will work, or you could try a dry rub. A good blend might include salt, pepper, rosemary, garlic cloves, onion powder, thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add a little water to the bottom of the crock pot to mix with the spices.
Next, rub the spice mixture all over the chicken, making sure to coat the entire chicken evenly. You can then place the chicken in a large resealable plastic bag and leave it in the refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight.
When you're ready to cook, you can place the chicken on a bed of vegetables or a ring of foil in the crock pot. The foil can help to keep the chicken from steaming in its own juices, but the vegetables will add extra flavour. Onions, celery, potatoes, and carrots are all great options. You can also stuff the chicken with garlic cloves, onion, and lemon halves for extra flavour.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for a whole chicken in a crock pot depends on the size of the chicken, the heat setting, and your desired level of crispness. For a large chicken cooked on low heat for 6-8 hours, the chicken will be "fall off the bone tender". If you prefer your chicken to be less tender, you can cook it on high heat for 3-4 hours.
It is recommended that you cook the chicken on high heat for at least one hour for food safety purposes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh or breast. If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can estimate doneness by checking that the juices run clear and that the meat is no longer pink at the bone.
If you want crispy skin on your chicken, you can transfer it to a baking dish and place it under the broiler for 4-6 minutes after it has finished cooking in the crock pot.
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Using a rack
Prepare the Chicken
Start by choosing the right size of chicken that fits your crock pot. If you have a smaller round slow cooker, opt for a smaller bird. You can also cut off any excess fat or skin from the chicken to help reduce the amount of grease in the pot. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
Season the Chicken
You can season the chicken with your choice of spices. A simple spice blend of salt and pepper, and rosemary works well. You can also stuff the chicken with garlic cloves, onion, and a lemon for added flavour. Another option is to use a dry rub of salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, thyme, white pepper, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix your chosen spices in a small bowl, then rub the spice mixture generously all over the chicken. Don't forget to season the inside of the chicken as well.
Prepare the Crock Pot
Take a piece of heavy-duty aluminium foil and roll it into a ring shape that fits into your crock pot. This foil ring will act as a rack to elevate the chicken and prevent it from sitting in its juices. Place the foil ring in the bottom of the crock pot. You can also use vegetables like onions, potatoes, carrots, or celery as a natural rack. Cut these vegetables into large chunks and place them at the bottom of the crock pot to raise the chicken.
Cook the Chicken
Place the seasoned chicken on top of the foil ring or bed of vegetables. Set the crock pot to low and cook for 6-8 hours, depending on the size of your chicken. For a smaller chicken, it may be done in 4-6 hours. The chicken is ready when the meat is tender and falls off the bone. To check if it's cooked, use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh or breast. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's safe to eat.
Crisp the Skin (Optional)
If you prefer a crispy skin, transfer the cooked chicken to a baking dish and place it under the broiler for 4-5 minutes until the skin is browned and crispy.
Serve and Enjoy
Once the chicken is cooked to your desired doneness, remove it from the crock pot and let it rest for a few minutes before carving. Serve the juicy, tender chicken with your choice of sides, such as mashed potatoes, corn, and biscuits, or a fresh salad. Enjoy the delicious aroma and flavour of your home-cooked whole chicken!
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Making stock
To make chicken stock in a crock pot, you'll need chicken bones, water, and some vegetables. You can also add herbs and spices to taste. Place all the ingredients in the crock pot, ensuring that the water covers the chicken bones—it's fine to fill to within an inch of the top of the slow cooker. Set the crock pot to low and let the mixture cook for at least eight hours, although the longer it cooks, the richer the flavour will be. You can leave it for up to 24 hours, but any longer and you risk overcooking the stock.
Once your stock is cooked, you can strain it and store it in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months. If you want a clearer stock, you can strain it through a coffee filter or cheesecloth.
You can use your homemade chicken stock as a base for soups, risottos, or for cooking grains or beans.
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Serving suggestions
Once your chicken is cooked, you can shred or cut it up to use in other recipes, such as chicken salad, burrito bowls, enchiladas, pasta dishes, sandwiches, or a quick chicken soup. You can also serve it whole, like a roasted chicken, after browning it under the grill to crisp up the skin.
If you want to serve it with sides, you could try Hasselback potatoes with a cheese sauce and oven-roasted Delicata squash. You can also use the leftover juices to make a gravy by pouring them into a small pot on the stove. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to about 1/2 cup of cold water, let it dissolve, and then slowly pour it into the juices on medium heat, so the gravy starts to bubble and thicken.
You can also use the bones and skin to make a stock. Put the bones back into the liquid that was left in the crockpot, add 5-6 cups of water, and whatever vegetables you have on hand (such as carrots, celery, and onion). Cook this overnight on low heat, then filter out the bones and veggies, and store the stock in containers in the fridge. After a few hours, the fat will solidify on top and can be removed. The stock can then be frozen.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 4 and 8 hours to cook a whole chicken in a crock pot, depending on the size of the chicken.
The crock pot should be set to low, and the chicken should be cooked until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
You will need a whole chicken, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and any other desired spices or herbs. Some recipes also call for vegetables such as carrots, celery, and potatoes to be cooked with the chicken.
No, the chicken will produce its own juices during cooking. Adding too much liquid can make the chicken soggy.
To make the skin crispy, transfer the chicken to a baking dish and place it under the broiler for a few minutes after it has finished cooking in the crock pot.
