How To Cook A Whole Chicken In The Crock Pot
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How to cook a whole chicken in the crockpot. Now, let me say that sounds way scarier than it really is to do. I love to make the whole chicken this way to shred the chicken to use in soups, sandwiches, and casseroles. Perfect way not to warm up the house in the summertime but have fresh shredded chicken for meal prep.
First made in 2015 and updated in 2020
One thing I do to make our grocery budget stretch further is to hit up the meat markdowns at the grocery store. Freeze and then use, or use that day, but whole chickens are ones I always cook the same day, so I can shred the chicken for meals or just to have an easy dinner. Now I make the whole chicken most commonly in my 8-quart crockpot, but this would also work in a 6-quart crockpot.
Ingredients For Whole Chicken In The Crock Pot:
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How To Cook A Whole Chicken In A Crock Pot:
Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray or line it with a slow cooker liner.
Make at least four foil balls, depending on the size of your chicken. Now, I had asked a girlfriend who suggested putting the chicken on potatoes. I had no potatoes, so I headed to Pinterest and found this method from Number 2 Pencil worked out perfectly for us!! Saved me the last-minute trip to the store for potatoes!
Remove the chicken guts and wash off with water. I also made sure to rinse out the inside cavity a bit.
Pat dry your whole chicken with a paper towel and place the chicken on a plate.
Season to taste with your seasoning salt, paprika, salt, and black pepper
Shake a bit over a plate and then place the whole chicken on the foil balls.
Be sure to place the chicken on the bottom side down, meaning the breast side up.
Shake a bit of minced onion onto the chicken; my minced garlic did not stay on when I did it on the plate, so I did more in the crockpot.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours in your crockpot.
Ensure chicken is cooked to 165 degrees for food safety with a Food Thermometer to ensure it’s properly cooked.
How to store leftover whole chicken
You can store the whole chicken or pull the meat off the chicken. Store in the fridge for up to five days after cooking.
If freezing the leftover chicken, I recommend pulling off the meat or deboning the chicken. Frozen chicken can be kept up to 90 days after cooking.
Storing leftovers properly requires the right tools! My preferred storage method is if the leftovers can be sealed in a food saver. If not, then an air-tight container or Ziploc bag for the fridge is the way I go. The airtight container or a freezer Ziploc bag are the next best bet for freezing the leftovers. I also use a food scale to measure portions into serving sizes.
Seasoning For Whole Chicken In The Crockpot:
What To Serve With Chicken in The Crockpot
Bread: Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Bread, Garlic Parmesan Biscuit Pull Apart Bread, English Muffin Garlic Cheese Bread, Easy Cheesy Monkey Bread, Corn Bread
Side Dishes: Air Fryer Bacon Asparagus, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Oven Roasted Baby Potatoes, Air Fryer Brussell Sprouts, Green Beans, Caesar Salad, Acorn Squash, Green Salad, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Air Fryer Broccoli, Grilled Zucchini, Grilled Corn On The Cob, Air Fryer Zucchini Chips, Macaroni And Cheese, Broccoli Salad
Recipes To use Shredded Chicken in
I love to make a whole chicken just for shredding the meat. There are a ton of ways to use shredded chicken, and the recipes below are my favorite ways. Most also work out to low-point Weight Watchers shredded chicken recipes.
- Chicken Stove Top Casserole
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup
- Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Bake
- Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe
- Chicken Salad
What is your favorite way to cook Whole Chickens?
Crockpot Recipes To Check Out
Crockpots are versatile and perfect for making meals without much work or effort. I use mine constantly! Below are some of my favorite collections of recipes I’ve made in my kitchen. Slow Cooker recipes are an easy way to get dinner on the table.
- Chicken Crockpot Recipes
- Crockpot Soup Recipes
- Weeknight Dinner Recipes
- Ground Beef Crockpot Dinners
- Crockpot Cinnamon Rolls
- Crockpot Appetizers
How To Cook A Whole Chicken In The Crock Pot
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Instructions
- Spray your crockpot with the nonstick spray, I personally prefer my 8 quart Crock Pot when I make the whole chicken.
- Make at least four foil balls depending on how big your chicken is.
- Remove the chicken guts and wash off with water, I also made sure to rinse out the inside cavity a bit.
- Pat dry your whole chicken with a paper towel and place the chicken on a plate.
- Season to taste with your seasoning salt, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Shake a bit over a plate and then place the whole chicken on the foil balls.
- Be sure to place the chicken on the bottom side down meaning the breast side up.
- Shake a bit of minced onion onto the chicken, my minced garlic did not stay on when I did it on the plate so I did more in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours
- Ensure chicken is cooked to 165 degrees for food safety with a Food Thermometer to ensure its properly cooked.
I have always wanted to learn how to cook a whole chicken in the Crock Pot, and now I found this awesome recipe on your blog. Thanks so much for sharing, and it looks so easy!
It really was easy we loved the chicken!
I always wanted a crockpot hopefully I will be able to get one, oneday.
I would be lost with out mine! Watch Black Friday ads they go really cheap that time of eyar.
I love crock pot cooking. You throw everything in and let it cook all day. This recipe sounds wonderful. I’ll definitely have to try it.
Agreed!! It’s a life saver for me with soccer season!
I always cook my chicken with breast down, it makes a moister breast. Not pretty, but very moist and tender. For a full meal I add sliced onions, potatoes and carrots on top of the chicken. Dinner done when we get home.
That sounds amazing!! I never thought to try that out sounds like an easy dinner!
I accidentally did breast down once and will never go back. It makes sense–the juices run down and through the breast keeping it moist.
I’ve cooked cut up chicken, but never a whole chicken. I want to try this! oh boy does it look good!
It was so easy to make up! Let me know if you try it.
What an easy way to cook a whole chicken! I actually have one defrosting in my fridge that I planned to put on the grill, but it may go in the crockpot now!
It is so easy to make in the crock pot! I need to do another whole chicken on our grill again!
I always make chicken in the crockpot but have never tried the tin foil trick! I need to make your version!
It worked out great!!! Thanks for stopping by!
this looks really good I love to make this
Do you think it’s possible to cook a whole turkey in a crockpot?
love my crock pot any time of the year but especially summer time. This recipe will help me do so much. Thanks for sharing
This looks amazing! I guess I know what I’ll be having for dinner tomorrow! 🙂
I love using the crockpot. It makes preparing dinner so easy and this recipe sounds delicious.
I have been making crockpot chicken this way for years. Always very good and juicy!
Have you tried to cook it on low? I’m wondering how long.
I really want to try this! Is the skin edible and or crispy? I’ve heard of placing a towel over the crockpot and then the lid to help this process, does anyone know if it’s true?
I also have cooked whole chickens in the crockpot for years, but never used foil. I also use liners saves a lot of cleanup. I also cook the chicken breasts down. Mine have always turned out yummy.
can you put potatoes on the bottom instead of foil
You totally can or onions too!