Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (from frozen)

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (from frozen) is a flavour, juicy and tender whole chicken recipe. Quite possibly the best way to cook a roast chicken.

Juicy and tender Slow Cooker Whole Chicken is one of those saved by the slow cooker kind of recipe. The whole chicken is placed in the slow cooker after a big rub of seasoning is applied.

Walk away and in 3-4 hrs on high, or 7-8 hours on low, an entire chicken is done with about 5 minutes of prep time. So good and always a family favourite.

Sliced Slow Cooker Roast Chicken with boiled green herbed red baby potatoes and leafy green lettuce.

How long should you cook chicken in slow cooker?

It depends on the size of the chicken. If it’s a smaller chicken (closer to 2 lbs) the cooking time will be 3 hours on high and 6-7 hours on low.

A large whole chicken (closer to 3.5 lbs) will need 4 hours on high and 8 hours on low.

Slow cooker whole chicken with a seasoned rub applied.

Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot?

I prefer low as I find the chicken retains more moisture this way.

The chicken can be placed in the slow cooker frozen! I know, gone are the days where you forget to take meat out of the freezer the night before. I did find that when cooked from frozen, the chicken wasn’t as juicy.

Slow Cooker Roast Chicken with crispy dark golden brown skin on a baking sheet.

Can you cook chicken in slow cooker without liquid?

Not if you want your chicken juicy. Lots of liquids will work as well. Water, broth, beer, apple cider if you want to go in that direction.

The key is to place a foil ring or a trivet if your slow cooker has one, at the bottom so that the chicken is lifted out of the liquid. The chicken will become soggy if it sits in the liquid while cooking and will be hard to remove from the slow cooker.

slow cooker with a rolled up tin foil ring placed at the bottom - so the chicken doesn't get soggy and fall apart.

Tips for a juicier slow cooker whole chicken:

The chicken should only be broiled for a few minutes, otherwise there’s potential for the chicken to start drying out. A short and sweet broiling is all it needs – 5 minutes at the absolute most.

Keep the chicken trussed for more even cooking and to lock in as many juicy parts as possible.

Sliced Slow Cooker Roast Chicken with boiled green herbed red baby potatoes and leafy green lettuce.

Variations for the chicken seasoning include:

* thyme and sea salt
* herbs de Provence and salt
* lemon pepper
* herbed garlic butter

Slow Cooker Roast Chicken leg on a wooden cutting board in a pool of juices.

What to eat with Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe:

5 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Roast Chicken with crispy dark golden brown skin on a baking sheet.

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

3 hrs

Broiling Time

3 mins

Total Time

3 hrs 8 mins

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (from frozen) is a flavour, juicy and tender whole chicken recipe. The best way to cook a roast chicken.

Course:

Chicken

Cuisine:

American

Keyword:

best way to cook a roast chicken, easy slow cooker recipe, slow cooker chicken recipe, slow cooker roast chicken, slow cooker whole chicken, slow cooker whole chicken recipe

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 181 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3
    lbs
    whole chicken, cavity emptied and patted dry with paper towel
    can be cooked directly from frozen*
  • 1.5
    tsp
    kosher salt
  • 1
    tsp
    sweet smoked paprika
  • 2
    tsp
    brown sugar
  • 1/2
    tsp
    ground black pepper
  • 1/2
    tsp
    onion powder
  • 1/2
    tsp
    garlic powder
  • 1/2
    cup
    water
    or chicken broth or beer

Instructions

  1. Place a piece of 1′ foil long that is rolled into a cylinder and form into a circle shape (see post above for photo) or a trivet into the bottom of the slow cooker.

  2. Place salt, paprika, sugar, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder in a small bowl and mix together. Sprinkle and pat onto chicken.

  3. Place seasoned chicken into slow cooker and set for 3 hrs on high or 6 hours on low for a smaller (2-3.5 lbs) chicken. For a larger (3.5-5 lbs) chicken cook for 4 hrs on high and 8 hrs on low.

  4. Preheat oven to high broil with a rack placed in the middle, about 8″ away from broil. Carefully lift chicken out of slow cooker and place on a baking tray. Broil chicken for 3-5 minutes (check after 3 minutes and continue to closely monitor).

  5. Let rest for 5-10 minutes and serve.

Recipe Notes

* while the chicken can be cooked directly from frozen, the seasoning won’t adhere to the chicken as well as when the chicken is thawed. 

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Amount Per Serving

Calories 181
Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Cholesterol 61mg20%

Sodium 494mg21%

Potassium 167mg5%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 15g30%

Vitamin A 238IU5%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 12mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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