Slow Cooker Chicken
A whole chicken cooks hands-off in the slow cooker with a savory herb-spice rub for tender meat that’s ready to slice and serve warm.
Prep 10 min · Cook 4 hr 45 min · Total 5 hr · Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
- 1/4 tsp turmeric, optional
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- Take the giblets out of the chicken’s cavity; if they are tucked in tightly, use a fork to help pull them free or stand the chicken upright so they can drop out. Rinse the chicken, then let it drain.
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, celery seed, turmeric, and salt and pepper to your taste. For reference, 2 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper works well.
- Place the chicken in a 6 or 7 quart slow cooker. Scatter the spice blend over the entire chicken, making sure to season the cavity too.
- Put the lid on and cook on high heat for 4 1/2 – 5 hours, checking for doneness with an instant read thermometer in the middle of the thigh; it should read 165 degrees.
- Move the chicken to a cutting board and rest it for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm.