Cooking a whole chicken can be intimidating, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the cooking techniques. However, using a crockpot can simplify and make managing the process easier. It allows you to cook a whole chicken without having to monitor it constantly, and it also results in moist and tender meat that falls off the bone.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of cooking a whole chicken in a crockpot so that you can impress your family and friends with a delicious and flavorful meal. Whether you’re a beginner cook or a seasoned pro, this recipe will become a go-to in your cooking repertoire.
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Crockpot
Cooking a whole chicken in a crockpot is a simple and convenient way to have a flavorful and juicy meal. The crockpot is a slow cooker that uses low heat to cook food over several hours, making it ideal for busy people who don’t have the time to spend in the kitchen.
Step 1: Choose the Right Size Chicken
The first step is to choose the right size chicken for your crockpot. You want to choose a chicken that will fit comfortably inside the crockpot without overcrowding it. A 3-4 pound chicken is typically the perfect size for a 6-quart crockpot.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Before placing the chicken in the crockpot, ensure it’s properly prepared. Start by removing the giblets and neck from the cavity of the chicken. Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
Next, season the chicken with salt, pepper, and other spices. You can also rub the chicken with olive oil or melted butter to give it crispy skin.
Step 3: Place the Chicken in the Crockpot
Once properly seasoned chicken, please place it in the crockpot breast side. Add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions around the chicken to give it extra flavor.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Cook the chicken on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the meat.
Step 5: Let the Chicken Rest
After the chicken is fully cooked, rest for 10 minutes before carving it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more flavorful and tender.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Carve the chicken and serve it with the vegetables and other sides you prefer. You can also use the leftover chicken to make soup, sandwiches, or salads.
Print RecipeBig, whole, and uncut chicken would generally take more time to cook. Be patient, and wait till it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should I Cook on Low or High Heat?
Except you intend on making your chicken dry and crunchy, always cook it on low heat in a crockpot. Low heat, steam, and time equal the recipe for a fully cooked, totally flavored chicken.
A crock pot is a slow cooker, and the idea is centered around using low heat to slow-cook dishes, giving it time and room for the seasoning to invade and get to every part of your chicken.
What is the difference between a Crockpot and a slow cooker?
There is no difference between a crockpot and a slow cooker. The crock pot is a brand of the slow cooker.
Can I reheat food with my Crockpot?
Reheating food with a crock pot is not recommended; instead, the ceramic insert of your crock pot is microwave safe, so you can put it in your microwave to reheat your food.
Is it safe to leave my Crockpot cooking while I am away from the house?
It is safe to do this. Crockpots were designed to let you do this. You must follow some precautionary steps to ensure everything will be as you left it.
● Place and leave your Crockpot on a clean, smooth, flat surface. Please do not leave it on the stove.
● Make sure your Crockpot is aligned, standing on all its deets before you leave the house.
● Just in case you have animals living with you in your house, restrict their access to the kitchen while you are away. Curious pets would always want to know what’s cooking.
Do I need to cook with the lid on?
This depends on your recipe, but follow the recipe and use the Crockpot appropriately. It would be best to leave the lid on, especially during the first few hours of your cook time.
How much water is too much water for my Crockpot?
Most chickens have a lot of moisture, so half a cup or one cup is enough to prevent you from having a watery dish at the end of the day.
Can I put Frozen Chicken in my crock pot?
Not thawing your chicken and putting a frozen chicken in your Crockpot would make your chicken spend longer in the danger zone (between 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit). This would give room for bacterial organisms to grow and fester. Always thaw your chicken before cooking, and follow the temperature requirements for any recipe. They exist to keep us healthy.
Does the water evaporate in a crock pot?
There is barely any evaporation occurring in a crockpot. You must know that when you use a receipt designated for a stove, you’ll have a thicker finished product, so you have to add water to your crock pot to thin it out.
Add this water at the beginning, during (remember not to open the lid within the first 2-3 hours), or after cooking.
Cooking a Whole Chicken in a Crockpot Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (4-6 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
Instructions
- The first step is to choose the right size chicken for your crockpot. You want to choose a chicken that will fit comfortably inside the crockpot without overcrowding it. A 3-4 pound chicken is typically the perfect size for a 6-quart crockpot.
- Before placing the chicken in the crockpot, ensure it’s properly prepared. Start by removing the giblets and neck from the cavity of the chicken
- Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Next, season the chicken with salt, pepper, and other spices. You can also rub the chicken with olive oil or melted butter to give it crispy skin.
- Once properly seasoned chicken, please place it in the crockpot breast side. Add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions around the chicken to give it extra flavor.
- Cook the chicken on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the meat.
- After the chicken is fully cooked, rest for 10 minutes before carving it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more flavorful and tender.
- Carve the chicken and serve it with the vegetables and other sides you prefer. You can also use the leftover chicken to make soup, sandwiches, or salads.
Video
Conclusion
Slow-cooking chicken in a crock pot, especially whole, is a great way to get a fully flavored and properly cooked chicken that can be used as the main dish, eaten with something else as a side dish, or shredded even. There’s no limitation.
