I’ve tried a ton of crockpot chicken recipes.
Have you ever cooked a whole chicken in a clay pot? The result is far better (and better for you!) than the standard grocery store rotisserie chicken. If you have, you don’t need to buy anything to make this recipe.
Why Cook a Whole Chicken in a Cooking Pot
If you’re only using your slow cooker for soups and stews, seriously miss! You can make anything with a Crock Pot. Contains whole chicken.
easy meal ideas
We are a busy family and don’t always have time to cook a lot of meals, especially on weeknights. increase. Whip up some sides or a salad and serve!
A Healthier Alternative to Purchased Rotisserie Chicken
Have you read the ingredients in your favorite rotisserie chicken? Among sugar and other additives, it’s definitely No Real food approved. By making our own chicken from scratch, we can decide exactly what goes into the food we eat.
Cook once, eat again and again
This is probably my favorite part of this recipe! A whole chicken can be split up and used in several different recipes and meals. .
leftover chicken ideas
Cooking method whole chicken in cooking pot
Step 1: Add chopped onions
Cut a whole onion into halves or quarters and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 2: Mix chicken seasonings in a small bowl
Just combine some basic herbs and spices. I made rotisserie-style chicken with paprika, salt, onion powder, thyme, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. You can also season the chicken with butter and herbs, Italian spices, or your favorite seasonings.
Step 3: Season the Whole Chicken
Rub the seasoning all over the chicken (I also put the seasoning inside the breast cavities and under the skin). place it.
Step 4: Cook on high heat for 4-5 hours or low heat for 7-8 hours
Cooking time depends on the size of the chicken. It’s done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit and the gravy is clear, but tender enough to be chopped with a fork.
The resulting chicken is flavorful enough to be eaten straight as a main dish or incorporated into pastas, chicken salads, chicken pot pies, casseroles, and more (just a few of my favorite ideas). under). I don’t need anything fancy. I’m using a very basic crockpot that you can buy on Amazon for about $40.
Crock Pot Chicken Troubleshooting
my chicken is too soft and mushy
Mushy Crock Pot chicken is most often caused by cooking too long. When meat is heated, the collagen breaks down into gelatin. The longer the chicken is cooked, the more this process will be. Do it right and you’ll have perfectly tender meat. Too long and the chicken will be mushy.
- DO NOT ADD ADDITIONAL LIQUIDS
- High temperature cooking instead of low temperature cooking
- Adjust heating time according to weight
- Remove the chicken as soon as it is cooked
- Allow chicken to cool and firm before cutting and serving
slow cooker chicken comes out dry
Dry chicken usually happens when you don’t have enough moisture in your slow cooker. A simple solution is to add more water or chicken stock to your slow cooker when you start cooking.
Another common reason for dry chicken is cooking it in a cooking pan that is too large for the recipe. Too much empty space around the meat will dry it out.
Make overnight chicken stock (optional)
Another great trick (one I learned from a friend!) is that after removing a good chicken, you can leave the bones in the cooking pot and make stock overnight while you sleep. See the FAQ below for more information.
Featured commentWow! ! Surprise! Thank you very much for this recipe. I had to call my mother and mother-in-law about this recipe. Chicken is perfectly cooked. I’m cooking soup right now, so I’ll make homemade noodles. Way to go!
Other Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
For food safety reasons, do not cook frozen whole chicken in the slow cooker. Thaw completely before cooking (see How to Thaw Meat Safely for more information). The ideal way to thaw meat is overnight in the refrigerator. If you think the middle of the chicken is still a little frozen, you need to increase the cooking time.
absolutely! If you want to be extra careful, be sure to cook the whole chicken over high heat for at least the first hour (if you plan to cook it over low heat). This requirement is met because this recipe always offers the option of cooking at a higher temperature.
For a typical 3-4 pound chicken, cook in the slow cooker on high heat for about 4-5 hours and low heat for 7 hours. Timing may vary depending on individual slow cooker and how soft you want the end result to be, as well as the size of the bird.
You don’t need to add water as the chicken and onions will squirt out while cooking. Add water and you’ll end up with a soggy chicken.
If you’re a fan of crispy chicken skin, you can accomplish this by placing the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet after it’s done and letting it sit under the broiler for about 4-5 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes.
1) Use tongs and fork to remove large pieces of chicken (legs, legs, wings) from slow cooker and place separately on platter/cutting board to cool briefly.
2) Place your finger (or a spoon) under each breast to separate it from the ribs and remove the meat in one piece.
3) If serving whole, cut off or cut into large pieces and set aside. When making overnight chicken stock, return the skin/fat/bones to the cooking pan.
4) Next, remove the carcass from the slow cooker and place it on a platter/cutting board. When cool enough, use a fork and fingers to remove all small pieces of meat and place in a bowl or storage container.Great for making chicken salads, soups, enchiladas, and more. Return non-meat to pot.
For more information, see our Overnight Chicken Stock recipe. Here’s how to make it.
