Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 5 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
347 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Description
The Slow Cooker Whole Chicken involves seasoning the entire cleaned chicken with a blend of brown sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Cooking it on a ring of aluminum foil inside the slow cooker lifts it slightly for even heat circulation and juices retention. After 3 to 4 hours on high, the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature. Transferring it to a baking dish and broiling briefly crisps the skin to a rich brown color, adding texture contrast and flavor complexity.
With the brown sugar and smoked paprika, the seasoning balances sweet and smoky notes, complementing the natural flavor of the chicken. The slow cooker environment makes the meat tender and juicy by trapping steam and gently breaking down connective tissues. The final broil step ensures the skin doesn’t stay soft or rubbery as can happen in slow cooking.
This approach suits when you want a hands-off roast without heating the oven for long periods. The slow cooker frees time for other tasks and produces a classic roast chicken that can be paired with vegetables, rice, or potatoes. Removing the skin before eating reduces calorie intake as noted in the original recipe notes.
Remove chicken skin before eating to reduce calories since the skin contains most fat and calories.
Ingredients
- 5 lb chicken neck and giblets removed, whole
- cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika.
- Coat a large slow cooker with cooking spray. Roll a piece heavy duty aluminum foil into a ring shape to fit into the slow cooker as a rack.
- Place the chicken on top of the foil ring. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or until thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers at 165 degrees or higher.
- Transfer the chicken to a sheet pan or baking dish and broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes or until chicken skin is brown and crispy. Serve.
Notes
- Remove chicken skin before eating to reduce calories since the skin contains most fat and calories.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 347 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 347kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 1% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 136mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 603mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 369mg | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 830IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 2.9mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 23mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1.9mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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