Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken

This slow-cooker roast chicken recipe is a great option when you’re short on time but still want a hearty and satisfying meal. Combining a whole chicken with a savory blend of herbs and vegetables, this simple recipe results in a juicy, flavorful roast chicken that delivers all the comfort you crave from the convenience of your slow cooker.

With just 15 minutes of hands-on prep and a few hours of hands-off cooking, you’ll have a perfectly cooked whole chicken infused with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices that perfectly hits the spot. Plus, there are plenty of leftover chicken recipes that are incredibly versatile, making for easy meal planning throughout the week.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken

• Carrots and onion: These vegetables impart a sweet, earthy flavor to the roast chicken as it slow-cooks.
• Garlic and olive oil: Minced garlic and olive oil combine to create a rub that infuses the chicken with flavor from the inside out.
• Dried herbs and spices: A blend of parsley, oregano, rubbed sage, chili powder, salt and pepper creates a well-rounded seasoning mix for this slow-cooker roast chicken.
• Whole chicken: This dish features a whole broiler/fryer chicken, which provides plenty of tender meat. Just make note of the mistakes you may be making when handling raw chicken.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the vegetables

KRISTINA VÄNNI for Taste Recipes

Place the cut carrots and onion pieces at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.

Step 2: Create the garlic rub and seasoning mix

KRISTINA VÄNNI for Taste Recipes

In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic and olive oil. In a separate bowl, combine the dried parsley, pepper, salt, oregano, sage and chili powder.

Tuck the wings under the chicken and tie the drumsticks together with kitchen twine. With your fingers, carefully loosen the skin from the chicken breast, and rub the garlic mixture under the skin. Secure the skin to the underside of the chicken breast with toothpicks.

Editor’s Tip: For added flavor, let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes in the fridge before placing it in the slow cooker.

Step 4: Season and cook the chicken

KRISTINA VÄNNI for Taste Recipes

Place the prepared chicken in the slow cooker, breast side up, and sprinkle it with the seasoning mixture. Cook, covered, on low for four to five hours, or until a thermometer inserted in the thigh reads at least 170°F.

Step 5: Rest and serve

KRISTINA VÄNNI for Taste Recipes

Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, and tent it with foil. Discard the vegetables, and let the chicken rest for 15 minutes before carving.

KRISTINA VÄNNI for Taste Recipes

Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken Variations

• Add different vegetables: Try adding potatoes, parsnips, turnips or leeks to the slow cooker for added flavor and texture in this slow-cooker roasted chicken recipe.
• Use fresh herbs: For more flavor, substitute dried herbs for fresh ones like thyme or rosemary. You can also brighten up the flavors with some fresh lemon slices.
• Smoke it up: Add smoked paprika to the seasoning mix to amp up the spice of this roast chicken.
• Make it barbecue-style: Brush the chicken with your favorite barbecue sauce during the last hour of cooking for a tangy twist.

How to Store Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken

After cooking a roast chicken in a slow cooker, allow it to cool completely, then remove the meat from the bones. Store the meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The bones can be used to make homemade chicken stock.

Can you freeze slow-cooker roast chicken?

Yes, you can freeze the cooked chicken. Cool the chicken pieces and any juices, then transfer them to freezer-safe containers. The chicken can be frozen for up to three months. To use it after freezing, partially thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it in a covered skillet until a thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 165°. You can add a little broth or water if necessary to keep the chicken moist.

Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken Tips

KRISTINA VÄNNI for Taste Recipes

Can you cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker?

Yes! This method allows larger pieces of meat to cook fully without drying out smaller pieces that cook faster. We recommend at least a 6-quart slow cooker to fit a 4- to 5-pound chicken, while still allowing enough space for the bird to cook evenly. It’s an easy slow-cooker dinner recipe idea to have on hand.

How long will it take to cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker?

The length of time depends on the size of your chicken—for this recipe, plan on between four and five hours of slow-cooking. For other methods, check out these roast chicken recipes.

How can you ensure the chicken skin gets crispy in a slow cooker?

While slow cookers don’t produce crispy skin, you can achieve a crispier texture by placing the cooked chicken under the broiler for a few minutes after slow-cooking it. Make sure to watch it closely to prevent burning.

Can you add stuffing to a slow-cooker roasted chicken?

For food-safety reasons, it’s best not to stuff a chicken when using the slow cooker. Instead, cook your stuffing separately and serve it alongside the whole chicken.

What is rubbed sage?

Rubbed sage is simply dried sage that’s been rubbed until it reaches a powdery consistency. In a pinch, you can do a fresh to dried herb conversion, swapping the rubbed sage for one to two fresh sage leaves in this recipe—but do discard the leaves before serving.