If you are wondering How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the CrockpotThis easy recipe for Smoky Garlic Spice Mix is for you. It's perfectly browned on the outside, juicy on the inside, and has a nice hint of sweet lemon in every juicy bite.
Why cook a whole chicken in the crockpot?
If you love weeknight dinners that can double as simple-yet-fancy recipes for gatherings, you must learn how to cook a whole chicken in the crockpot.
- Set-and-forget. Once the chicken is in the crockpot, you can forget about it for hours.
- Made of pantry staples. No complicated ingredients, just simple pantry staples like cumin, paprika and garlic powder.
- Great for gatherings. You don't have to spend hours in the kitchen because this whole chicken dinner practically makes itself.
- Freezer-friendly. If you make two batches, you can always have some in the freezer for busy weeknights.
Material notes
A smoky cumin-paprika spice blend with a hint of cilantro has all the flavor. Scroll down to the “How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Crockpot” recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.
- whole chicken You can use fresh or frozen (thawed).
- olive oil- Feel free to use corn, canola or vegetable oil instead.
- Garlic powder- Onion powder is also fine.
- ground cumin- Taco seasoning is a good swap if you don't mind a little Tex-Mex flavor.
- Coriander Chop- Avoid fresh coriander as it will burn in the broiler.
- Smoked paprika – You can also use mild or sweet paprika.
- salt and pepper- Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper are best.
- lemon- Oranges also work.
How to make a whole chicken in the crockpot
Once you clean the chicken and prepare the spice mix, the crockpot does the rest for you. Scroll to the bottom of the post for the complete “How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Crockpot” recipe card.
- Prepare the chicken. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Remove the neck and giblets. Rub the olive oil all over the chicken.
- Make the spice mixture. Whisk garlic powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Add spices. Sprinkle the chicken all over with the spice blend. Place the lemon inside the cavity of the chicken. Add the chicken breast-side up to the crockpot.
- Cook it. Cover the crockpot with a lid. Set it to high and cook for 6 hours. Remove and transfer it to a baking dish.
- It's braille. Place chicken under broiler for 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from heat. Set it aside. Let cool for 5-10 minutes, serve and enjoy!
Tips and modification ideas
Homemade white wine gravy and tender potatoes for this crockpot chicken will make dinnertime extra impressive.
- More spices. Mix in 1 teaspoon ground mustard, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper for added depth and flavor.
- Make protein swaps. An easy swap is to use a small turkey instead of chicken for this recipe.
- Use vegetables. After 5 hours, add 1/4 pound halved baby potatoes, 1/4 pound chopped carrots, and 1/4 pound green beans to the crockpot. Let them cook in the crockpot for the last hour of cooking until tender.
- Ask the butcher. Save preparation time by asking the butcher to remove the chicken's neck and giblets.
- Make the gravy. During the last hour of cooking, pour 32 fl oz chicken stock and 1/2 cup dry white wine with 1 tablespoon cornstarch into the crockpot. Allow to thicken and serve gravy on the side.
FAQs
Serving advice
This whole chicken in the crockpot is an easy dinner that goes perfectly with vegetables. Try it with me Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon or Mediterranean salad. my Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes Also great. For the salad option, make mine Mediterranean salad or Green Goddess Salad.
Learning how to cook a whole chicken in the crockpot is easy, and so is storing it.
- Fridge: Keep it in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Transfer it to a freezer bag in serving-size portions. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- To reheat it: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of water over it and microwave for one minute or until heated through. For larger portions, place it in the crockpot and set to warm for 30 minutes.
More crockpot chicken recipes
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How to cook a whole chicken in the crockpot with smoky seasoning and tart lemon is easy to learn with this set-and-forget recipe.
- Clean and pat dry the whole chicken.
- In a small bowl, add the garlic powder, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Place chicken, breast-side up, in crock pot.
- Drizzle with olive oil. Using your hands, rub the olive oil all over.
- Next, cover the chicken with the spice mixture. Make sure it is covered on all sides.
- Add lemon halves to chicken cavity.
- Cover and cook on high for 6 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the crock pot and transfer to a baking dish.
- Place the whole chicken under the broiler for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is lightly browned on top.
- Remove from oven. Let rest for 5 minutes and serve.
