Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Lemon and Herbs
In short: A whole chicken rubbed with paprika, thyme and garlic, cooked on a bed of onions with lemon until the meat falls from the bone. It takes about 6 h 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 6 h 30 min
- Total
- 6 h 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 280 kcal
A whole chicken in the slow cooker is the easiest way to get a week of cooked chicken from one bird. It cooks on a bed of onions, which lifts it out of the juices, and the meat comes out so tender it can be pulled off with a fork. The skin will not be crisp, but a few minutes under a hot grill fixes that. Save the juices and bones for a quick stock.
Instructions
- Remove any giblets from the chicken and pat the bird very dry inside and out with paper towels.
- Mix the paprika, dried thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Rub the oil over the chicken, then rub the spice mixture over the skin and a little under it.
- Squeeze one lemon half over the bird, then put both lemon halves, the thyme sprigs and half the garlic into the cavity.
- Spread the onion slices and the remaining garlic over the base of the slow cooker and sit the chicken on top, breast side up.
- Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours without lifting the lid. The chicken is done when the thickest part of the thigh reads at least 74°C (165°F) and the legs move freely.
- For crisp skin, move the chicken to a baking tray and grill it under a hot broiler for 5 to 8 minutes, watching closely.
- Rest the chicken for 15 minutes, then carve. Spoon some of the juices over the slices and serve.
Tips
- Never put a frozen bird in the slow cooker. It stays in the unsafe temperature zone too long, so thaw it fully in the fridge first.
- Use the juices and the carcass to make stock. Simmer the bones with an onion and water for 1 to 2 hours, then strain.
Questions and answers
Does the chicken need liquid in the slow cooker?
No. The bird and the onions release plenty of juice. Extra liquid would boil the meat and weaken the flavor.
How do I get crispy skin on slow cooker chicken?
Finish it under a hot broiler or in an air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for 5 to 8 minutes. The skin from a slow cooker is soft until you do this.
How long does the cooked chicken keep?
Strip the meat from the bones and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it for 3 months.
How long does it take to make Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Lemon and Herbs?
About 6 h 45 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 6 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Lemon and Herbs?
About 280 kcal per serving, with 33 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 280 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 33 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
