Description
This slow cooker whole chicken with garlic and herbs is juicy, flavorful, and effortlessly tender. With a blend of aromatic herbs, buttery garlic, and simple seasonings, this fall-off-the-bone chicken is perfect for busy weeknights, Sunday dinners, or meal prep for the week ahead.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (4–5 lbs), giblets removed
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, halved
- 3–4 sprigs fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley)
- Optional: carrots and potatoes for cooking underneath
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix butter, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the herb butter all over the chicken, including under the skin if possible.
- Stuff the chicken cavity with onion, lemon, and fresh herb sprigs.
- Place a layer of optional vegetables at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Set the chicken on top, breast side up.
- Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 4–5 hours, until internal temp reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Optional: For crispy skin, broil chicken in oven for 4–5 minutes after slow cooking.
- Let rest 10 minutes before carving.
Notes
- Add 1/2 cup chicken broth or white wine for extra moisture.
- Leftovers are great for soups, tacos, or sandwiches.
- Can use olive oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version.
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Low-Carb
- Keywords: slow cooker whole chicken, garlic herb chicken, crockpot chicken, easy whole chicken recipe, fall-off-the-bone chicken
- Video URL: [Add URL if available]
- Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Small mixing bowl
- Knife and cutting board
- Meat thermometer
- Optional: baking sheet for broiling
- Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Nutrifox ID: [Add ID if available]
- Serving Size: 1 portion (about 1/6 of chicken)
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Nutrition
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
