Whole Chicken Crock Pot Recipe

*Kathy*'s Note:

Tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken! Skip the overnight refrigeration if you are in a hurry. For variety, eliminate the onion and substitute a quartered lemon or two, stuffed into the chicken cavity. Chef Shapeweaver had a good suggestion: Use Fajita Seasoning Mix #28011 as another variation. Thanks! The standard size slow cookers are a bit too small and a whole chicken won't fit. You'll need a 6-quart slow cooker for this recipe.

• Total Time: 23 hrs
• Prep Time: 15 hrs
• Cook Time: 8 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 4 teaspoons salt (per recipe reviews, 2 tsp is better)
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large roasting chicken (with pop-up timer if possible)
• 1 cup chopped onion (optional)

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the spices.
2. Remove any giblets from chicken and clean chicken.
3. Rub spice mixture onto the chicken.
4. Place in resealable plastic bag and refrigerate overnight. (I usually skip this step because I'm always in a hurry).
5. When ready to cook, put chopped onion in bottom of crock pot.
6. Add chicken. No liquid is needed, the chicken will make it's own juices.
7. Cook on low 4-8 hours.
8. Note: I highly recommend a pop-up timer in the chicken because some crock pots cook faster/slower than others (my crock pot cooks this recipe in 4-5 hours).

Reviews

[deb k]

This is absolutely the best way to make a whole chicken. It doesn't get any tender than this. I used a little wine the third time and then saved the stock to make chicken soup. It was incredible. I have given this recipe to all of the girls at work because most of them only cook out of a box and they LOVE IT!

[LisaLouWho]

I have been making chicken this way since 1999 when I got the recipe from a recipe loop I was in. It is the best!! I usually prepare it the "original" way which calls for roasting it at 250 degrees for 5 hours but when I'm not able to be home I put it in the crockpot. The only other thing I do when I cook it in the crockpot is to transfer the chicken to a baking dish and put it under the broiler to crisp up the chicken a bit. Delish!!

[Evie*]

Scrumptious! Spice mix gave a great colour to the chicken and the amount of cayenne just the right 'kick'. Ive noticed how white chicken meat becomes when cooked in a crock pot, very appealing. Thanks for posting.