This crockpot whole chicken recipe is just SO cool. Have you ever tried cooking a whole chicken in the crockpot? No? Well, I hadn’t either…until this week. And wouldn’t you know, it’s not only ridiculously EASY, but it’s super delicious, too. And versatile!
You guys already got a glimpse into this from my post yesterday, but I was impressed enough by this recipe to devote a whole post to it today. Is it the most exciting thing on the earth to blog about? I mean, no. Let’s be realistic. BUT…we can all use some easy and healthy dinner ideas, right?
Right.
So this crockpot whole chicken. Seriously…SO easy. All I did was thoroughly wash and pat dry the chicken (gross, but necessary), put together a little spice rub, rubbed it all over, propped it up on a bed of chopped onions, and let it do its magic.
By the time it was ready to take out, I couldn’t even lift the whole thing as one piece…it was falling apart, right off the bone!
Again, not the prettiest thing to blog about either. But I don’t care. It still deserves its time in the spotlight today.
I’m sure for those of you who are super domestic or motivated, you could even go ahead and make a nice, delicious gravy out of the liquid leftover in the crockpot (which, by the way, there is NO liquid added to this recipe in the beginning). Buuut, ain’t nobody got time for that over here. Plus, I’m really, really bad at making gravy.
So instead we separated out the dark and white meat, and carved up the breasts.
And from there, we made some delicious chicken sandwiches.
And then I still had plenty leftover, which I’ve been using in my salad bases that I made up on Monday. Oh, and I also made a small batch of the Best Ever Chicken Salad, too.
So yeah, I really am sort of obsessed with this whole chicken in the crockpot thing. For one, you can cook it up to use for just about anything. Second, it’s beyond easy. Third, buying a whole chicken is so much cheaper than buying a package of breasts. And four, well, it’s delicious.
So go ahead and grab yourself a whole bird, bust out your crockpot, and give this chicken a try!
Easy Crockpot Whole Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ?2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large roasting chicken with pop-up timer if possible
- 1 cup chopped onion
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the spices.
- Remove any giblets from chicken, clean and thoroughly pat dry.
- Rub spice mixture onto the chicken.
- Place chopped onion in bottom of crock pot.
- Add chicken. No liquid is needed, the chicken will make plenty of its own juices.
- Cook on low 4-8 hours (*see note)
Notes
Lightly adapted from this recipe. Happy Cooking & Enjoy!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
well this looks awesome! i’ve never tried making a whole chicken before – love crockpot meals, too!
Katrina says
When I move out of my student apartment and into a real house, I’m definitely getting a crock pot! :D It seems so versatile, easy and necessary!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections says
Thanks for sharing this. I am having such a hard time with dinner meal planning lately. Going to try this next week :)
Brynn says
I always use chicken breasts and have never tried a full chicken. Definitely giving this a try!
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
I”ll definitely be giving this a try! I always buy Rotisserie chickens, this is essentially the same thing but made at home!
Amanda says
I make a whole chicken once a week, and this is by far the easiest and most delicious method! After I pull the meat from the bones, I add the bones back into the cooking liquid along with extra carrots/onion/herbs, fill the crock pot with water, and simmer on low for 18-24 hours for the BEST chicken broth ever!
Christina says
This is one of my favorite meals to make in the crockpot! I splurge on an organic whole chicken from Costco (they come in packs of 2, and I usually freeze them and then defrost in fridge when I’m ready to make it). After I pull off all the meat from the bones, I toss whatever is left (skin, bones, little bits of fat, etc) back in the crock pot, cover it with water, and let it go to town for 12-24 hours to make delicious organic bone broth! Cool, skim the fat, and freeze — I feel like I really get my money’s worth out of that organic chicken!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
This looks awesome! Occasionally, we’ll buy a rotisserie chicken and use it for several meals, but this looks so easy (and healthier). Working with a whole chicken is a little intimidating, but I might just have to give it a shot. Also, love the new recipe layout!
brigid says
I buy a rotisserie chicken as well for about $5. I am curious as to if this is a healthier option???? Don’t know too much about the rotisserie process, assume it’s just roasting in an oven.
Courtney says
Good question, Brigid! Tough to say, but I’d assume that they likely coat their birds in oil/butter perhaps? Whenever I buy them, they always seem a little greasy towards the bottom, but who knows?!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday says
I think there would be less sodium, mostly. :)
Julie @ A Better Life with Burgers says
Definitely don’t throw away that cooking liquid! Since you love soup, follow Amanda’s suggestion above. When I make a whole chicken, I leave the onion in there, then throw back in all the bones (and even the skin, which I don’t usually eat much of). Sometimes I’ll add some extra scraps–a stalk or two of celery, some carrots, whatever–and then I fill the whole crock pot with water. Leave it on low overnight (8-10 hours), then strain it and you have delicious, FREE, homemade chicken stock! Buying a chicken for $14 gets me 3 meals of chicken and about 20 cups of stock–an amazing deal! Freezes great, too.
Thanks for sharing!
Courtney says
I totally need to do this next time! Thanks, Julie!!
Christine says
Just curious because I am local, but where did you buy your chicken and what brand did you get? The last time I did this, I bough a Perdue oven stuffer roaster and it was so greasy….I didn’t add any butter either. Yours looks good.
Courtney says
I bought mine from Price Chopper! I think it may have just been their own brand?
Janet Fazio says
I’ve never thought about doing a whole chicken in the crick pot, but it seems pretty easy. I’ll have to try it.
Angela says
I made this recipe tonight and it was great! It tasted very similar to the deli rotisserie chickens. The best thing was a great tasting, super easy dinner with simple all-real ingredients. Thank you Courtney. I will definitely make this again. The spice rub could be made in bulk and stored in the pantry to make it even easier.
Courtney says
Oh YAY! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Angela! Thanks for letting me know :)
And great idea on the spice rub being made ahead of time!
Jim says
Just amazing could not stop eating. Added some garlic an diced jalapeños (we like it spicy) but all else as listed. Thank you…
Courtney says
Great idea! So glad you enjoyed, thanks for sharing!