Are you craving a mouthwatering, tender chicken dinner that practically cooks itself? Look no further than this incredibly simple slow cooker whole roasted chicken recipe! Imagine walking into your home after a long day to the irresistible aroma of perfectly seasoned, juicy chicken that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor. This foolproof method transforms an ordinary whole chicken into a restaurant-quality meal that will have your family begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme) for seasoning
Instructions
- Remove the whole chicken from refrigeration and pat it completely dry using paper towels. This helps achieve crispier skin and better seasoning adherence.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, salt, black pepper, and paprika to create a seasoning blend. Gently rub this mixture all over the chicken, ensuring even coverage including under the skin and inside the cavity.
- Stuff the chicken cavity with quartered lemon, smashed garlic cloves, and fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme. These aromatics will infuse the meat with additional flavor during cooking.
- Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the slow cooker, positioning it breast-side up. Ensure the chicken isn't touching the sides of the cooker to allow even heat circulation.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to LOW temperature. Cook for 6 hours, which allows the chicken to become tender and thoroughly cooked without drying out.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer - it should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh to ensure food safety.
- Once cooked, carefully remove chicken from slow cooker and let rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
- Optional: For crispy skin, transfer chicken to a preheated oven at 450°F for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips
- • Always pat your chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure a more flavorful and crispy exterior. • Don't rush the cooking process - low and slow is the key to tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat. • Use a meat thermometer to guarantee food safety and perfectly cooked chicken. • For extra crispy skin, consider the optional oven finish mentioned in the recipe. • Fresh herbs make a huge difference - don't skip them if possible! • Let the chicken rest after cooking to redistribute those delicious juices. • If you want to add vegetables, place them around the chicken in the slow cooker for a complete one-pot meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 1g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 110mg
