Description
This Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe offers a flavorful, tender, and juicy rotisserie-style chicken made effortlessly in a crock pot. Seasoned with a blend of smoked paprika, garlic, onion, and brown sugar, it’s an easy family-friendly meal with crispy skin achieved by broiling after slow cooking. Perfect for a comforting dinner with versatile leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 5 lb whole chicken (neck and giblets removed)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- Cooking spray (as needed)
Instructions
- Prepare the Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika thoroughly to create the seasoning blend for the chicken.
- Set up the Slow Cooker: Lightly coat the inside of a large slow cooker with cooking spray. Then take a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil and roll it into a ring shape to act as a rack inside the slow cooker, preventing the chicken from sitting directly in its juices.
- Season the Chicken: Place the whole chicken on top of the foil ring inside the slow cooker. Rub the prepared spice mixture evenly all over the chicken, ensuring it is well coated.
- Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook the chicken on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness; the internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Broil for Crispy Skin: Once cooked through, carefully transfer the chicken to a sheet pan or baking dish. Broil in the oven for 4 to 5 minutes until the skin turns brown and crispy, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the juicy, tender chicken hot. Leftovers can be stored and used in other recipes.
Notes
- This recipe creates a rotisserie-style slow cooker chicken with minimal effort.
- Leftover chicken is versatile and can be added to salads, sandwiches, soups, and casseroles.
- Using the foil ring rack prevents the chicken from becoming soggy while cooking.
- Broiling at the end crisps the skin for that classic roasted texture.
- Ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F to prevent foodborne illness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 347 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 603 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 136 mg
