A couple of weeks ago when I had crockpot chicken on the menu I had several of you ask how I make it. Well, it is not really a recipe or an exact way I make it. But here are the basics. It is really quite simple.
I take a whole chicken and I rub a couple of tablespoons of oil on the skin. I think this helps the skin get crispy in the crockpot. Then I rub it with several tablespoons, probably about 3, of seasoning all over the chicken. I usually use Emeril’s Essence or Paula Deen’s house seasoning. I then cover the crock pot. I do not add any liquid to the pot. I cook on low for 6-7 hours or until done.
You will then have a chicken that looks like this
and tastes really yummy. It is as easy as that.
Do you cook whole chickens in the crockpot? If so how do you make it?
I do whole chickens or bone in chicken breasts in the crockpot! I usually just put garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and some poultry seasoning rubbed on it and stick it in to cook for the 6-8 hours on low. Something different that I have done is used a 1 packet of onion soup mix rubbed on it…that was yummy too when I did it. 🙂
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Wow, Lynn, this looks great. And so simple. I will have to try it.
I’ve read elsewhere not to cook whole chickens in a slow cooker–reportedly the temperature doesn’t get hot enough fast enough and promotes all kinds of nasty bacteria growth. That said, I’ve cooked whole chickens in my Crock Pot before with success.
Are those who claim it’s dangerous just nervous Nellies?
I have never read that about not cooking chickens in the crockpot. I have done it many times with no problems so I am not sure. I will have to look into it. Thanks.
I love cooking Anything in the crockpot! I bought a few whole chickens not long ago at .69/lb. They’ll definitely be dropped in the crock. I’ve used the “sticky chicken” recipe quite often (recipezaar).
We do whole chickens in the crockpot about once a month. I just put the chicken in and add some water and cook on low for 8 hours. I like using water because I save it and use it for broth the next day and make chicken corn soup with some of the leftovers.
If you have a little bigger crockpot , you can put a turkey in it and fix it just like you do the chicken . If you cook it over night that bad boy will just fall apart by morning—
Cooking anything, anyway is safe if hand washing {soap and water}, clean pots and fresh product is utilized. I have been cooking 40 years,never made anyone sick from eating my product.
This was a helpful recipe, because I always wondered how it would come out if I didn’t add any water, but was afraid to try it. I like the way it looks in the picture. I do like cooking it with a little water added, but it ends up being more of a stewed chicken than anything else. Thanks so much!
A chicken just went in the crockpot! I used garlic powder, salt pepper, and a little dried thyme (what I had on hand). I love roast chicken and I have never successfully made it at home. I LOVE this idea!
@melissa, I hope you enjoy it!
SO good! This was the first recipe of yours that I’ve tried, and it was fantastic. I was a nervous nelly so I check the temp to make sure it was hot enough, and the digital thermometer read 170 ( I believe 165 is the target) so no worries!
I will definitely be making this again. Now I’m off to throw make the crock pot salsa chicken! 🙂
@Norah, I am so glad that you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know. I hope you enjoy the salsa chicken also.
I love chicken in the crockpot. I put lemon and onion slices in the clean cavity and then sprinkle with lemon pepper after rubbing with oil! Tender and yummy. My kids love it too.
I’ve always hated chicken from the crockpot but not anymore. I tried your recipe yesterday with great success–I never thought foil could make such a difference under the chicken. I don’t purchase whole chickens, only legs & thighs, so I thought I would give it a try anyway. My family loved it! This recipe sure is a keeper for me. Thanks so much for sharing.
I wonder if you could put the chicken under the broiler first to brown the skin, then put it in the slow cooker?
I make it this way all the time with whole chickens, chicken breasts or turkey breast now. I then use the cooking juices and make homemade stock in the crockpot after. I do a butter and seasoning mixture and put under the skin, and then season the outside also and it comes out wonderfully browned and juicy as if done in the oven. One tip I have learner is to wad a few foil balls and place under your meat. This keeps the meat out of the drippings and not greasy!
This looks beautiful! I usually make mine submerged in water for stock. Then I take out the chicken, take the meat off the bones and put bones right back in with more water and a few veggies for more stock. It saves on dishes. 🙂
Hi I was wanting to ask a question, if I may 🙂 I wan to put some chicken legs in a crock pot to cook only I’m not sure if I need to use water I have about 3 lbs. Of chicken legs do u have any info for me please thank you .
I made this today and while it tastes wonderful my chicken was not brown like yours just pale. I also ended up with a sauce pan of liquid (emptied twice) whic made it stewed as opposed to roasted. What could have gone wrong? I rubbed with oil and the seasoning and put it in the crockpot only difference was I used high not low… Hopefully you see this since its an older post.
How many hours did you cook it on high? That may be the difference. It may have cooked too hot.