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Juicy and flavorful roasted chicken made in the slow cooker! So simple to make an entire chicken with the help of your crock pot.

We love our recipe for Oven Roast Chicken, but this crock pot version is just as amazing!! Serve it with a side of mashed potatoes and Green Bean Bundles for an all around fantastic dinner!

Crockpot roast chicken on a white platter with rosemary garnish.

Easy + Delish Crockpot Roast Chicken

Have you ever made Roast Chicken in your crockpot? Believe it or not – it is SO simple. You must try this recipe if you’ve never attempted it.

Make this recipe for your next dinner party with family and friends. It’s the perfect main dish to serve with your favorite side dishes.

Is it safe to slow cook an entire chicken? It is completely safe to cook an entire chicken in the slow cooker as long as it is not frozen. Also, I recommend cooking it on high heat the entire time. If you do want to use low heat, then begin with an hour at high heat before switching the setting to low heat. 

  • High Heat 3-4 hours
  • Low heat: 1 hour at high heat, then 7-8 hours on low. 

Don’t forget the wishbone: My kids LOVE when I carve a whole chicken or turkey because that means they’ll get to pull the wishbone. 

Ancient Romans were the first to see the wishbone as a symbol of luck. This eventually turned into the tradition of making a wish and breaking it apart. Two people hold one end of the wishbone. They think of a wish, close their eyes and pull.

Whoever is left with the bigger piece gets their wish granted! (The wishbone is located between the neck and breast of the chicken. Remove it and place on the counter for a few days until it is dry.) 

Seasoning for crockpot roasted chicken.

Prepping the Chicken + Slow Cooker

Prepping your chicken to cook:

  • If frozen, you’ll need to thaw it completely.
    • Thaw in the fridge. Expect 24 hours for every 5lbs to thaw. Ex: An 8lb bird would need 36 hours to thaw. 
  • Check the cavity of the chicken and remove the giblets. The butcher will most likely have removed the neck, gizzard, heart, and liver and packaged them up to be cooked separately. I usually just toss mine. 
  • Trim excess fat. Remove the skin only if you’re looking for a lighter calorie count otherwise leave the skin on. It will aid in flavor and give a delicious browned texture at the end. 
  • Rise the chicken, inside and out, with water. Pat dry with a paper towel.

What is the aluminum foil for? The wrapped aluminum foil acts as a rack. This lifts the bird up allowing it to roast and not steam in its own juices. 

Tinfoil ring inside the crockpot for roasting the chicken.

How to Make Roast Chicken in Slow Cooker

PREP. Start by spraying the crock pot with cooking spray. Roll a piece of aluminum foil into a ring to go around the bottom of the crock pot as a rack for the chicken. Place the chicken on top of the aluminum foil ring.

SEASONING. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken.

SLOW COOK. Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours, until a thermometer inserted in the thigh registers at 165 degrees or higher.

BROIL. Move the chicken to a sheet pan or baking dish and broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes, until the skin is browned. Serve hot.

Roast Chicken Seasoning

The seasoning for this roasted chicken consists of just a few simple ingredients.

  • brown sugar
  • salt
  • pepper
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • paprike
Roast chicken in the crockpot covered in seasoning.

Recipe Tips + FAQ

Can I add veggies? You can add veggies to the bottom of the slow cooker. Veggies will create a little more steamy environment, but they’ll also help flavor the bird and you’ll have a side of veggies to serve with the meal. Just arrange the veggies around the foil and place the bird on top.

Celery, carrots, onions, red potatoes are all great choices. Be sure to cut them all to a similar size: about 1 inch

Can I make gravy with the drippings? Yes! Don’t waste the delicious drippings at the bottom of the crock pot. You can use it to make gravy.

We have a Turkey gravy Recipe HERE  that you can use. Just substitute with chicken drippings and use chicken broth instead of turkey. 

What to do with leftover chicken?

If you have left over chicken, then carve it all off of the bones. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 4 months. 

Use leftover chicken in these dishes:

Slow cooker roast chicken in crock pot.

How to Make bone broth

Don’t toss the bones. You can use them to make nutrient rich bone broth. You will need the bones of the chicken, 4 celery stalks, 2 carrots chopped, 1 medium onion peeled and quartered, 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed, 12 cups water and salt and pepper. 

  1. Roast the bones and veggies in the oven 450°F for about 15 minutes
  2. Place all the ingredients into a large stock pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover with a lid and simmer for about 12 hours. 
  3. Strain out the bones and veggies.
  4. Store the juice in a mason jar in the fridge for up to a week. Once it has been opened it will only last about 3 days. Freeze for up to 2 months. 
Slow cooker roast chicken recipe in a serving dish with garnish.

Complete the meal by also making:

5 from 25 votes

Crockpot Roast Chicken Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Juicy and flavorful roasted chicken made in the slow cooker! So simple to make an entire chicken with the help of your crock pot.
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 5 pound whole chicken neck and giblets removed
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions 

  • Spray a crock pot with cooking spray. Roll a piece of aluminum foil into a ring to go around the bottom of the crock pot as a rack for the chicken. Place the chicken on top of the aluminum foil ring.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken.
  • Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours, until a thermometer inserted in the thigh registers at 165 degrees or higher.
  • Move the chicken to a sheet pan or baking dish and broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes, until the skin is browned. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 34g, Fat: 27g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 136mg, Sodium: 903mg, Potassium: 351mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 418IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
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Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious, juicy and moist. Great recipe. I made gravy from the dripping and it was so delicious. Will use this recipe again.

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe is so easy and so delicious. Juicy and moist. I made a gravy out of the dripping and it was so delicious. I will be making this one again.