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If you've ever wondered if you can use your slow cooker to roast chicken, the answer is YES! Crockpot Roast Chicken is unbelievably delicious. It requires next to no prep, stays super juicy, and is almost impossible to overcook. Plus, you'll get a little gravy to serve with dinner!
Complete the meal with some mashed potatoes with cream cheese and some spicy honey roasted carrots. Yum!
Love rotisserie-style chicken? So do we! And with this crockpot roast chicken recipe, you can easily make that delicious, tender, juicy chicken.
Why you need to try this crockpot roast chicken
- It's just like rotisserie chicken, but without all the additives.
- Roasting a chicken doesn't get any more foolproof than this.
- You'll never have to worry about overcooked, dry roast chicken. The crockpot keeps it nice and juicy.
- The simple spice mix adds the most delicious flavor without overwhelming the chicken.
- If you need your oven for roasting veggies or potatoes (think Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners!) then this recipe is for you.
- Or if you want to walk in the door after a long day and find a perfectly roasted chicken waiting for you, then this is the recipe you want to reach for.
How to make crockpot roasted chicken
This crockpot roast chicken recipe is super simple. The only ‘work' involved is mixing a few pantry-staple spices together. It's essentially the same spice mix that is used in the popular Perfect Baked Chicken Breasts and Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs recipes.
- Make a ring out of aluminum foil (see the picture above) and place it at the bottom of your slow cooker. This is to keep the chicken off the bottom and out of the juices so that it roasts rather than steams.
- Put the chicken into the pot and sprinkle the spices over the top.
- Put the lid on and pat yourself on the back for prepping dinner in 5 minutes flat.
How long to cook crockpot whole roasted chicken
The most important thing to remember when you're cooking chicken is that it needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To test this on a whole bird, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure not to touch the bone.
Depending on the size of your chicken, it will take 3-4 hours on high to be fully cooked. If you don't have a meat thermometer, cook the chicken for 4 hours on high.
You can also use your slow cooker to roast a whole chicken on low heat for 8 hours, but it is recommended to start cooking it for 1 hour on high. This is to ensure that the chicken reaches a safe temperature.
Also, be sure to try this crockpot turkey breast!
Can you make slow cooker roast chicken with crispy skin?
Yes. And no. ← How's that for an answer. Ha!
You can roast a whole chicken in your slow cooker, but you'll need to broil it for a few minutes if you want crispy skin. While it's broiling, you can make the gravy and wash and put away the crockpot.
But the skin on the crockpot roast chicken is delicious even if it's not crispy. Think rotisserie-style chicken. Not crispy, but still so good. So if you don't have access to an oven, or don't feel like broiling the chicken, simply skip the crispy skin step.
Does crockpot roast chicken make gravy?
Yes! It makes an amazingly delicious gravy.
When you take the chicken out of your crockpot, you'll see a bunch of juices that have accumulated at the bottom. (This is why we set the chicken on the aluminum foil ring.)
To make the gravy, pour the juices into a pan and thicken them slightly with a tapioca or cornstarch slurry. To do this, mix a little tapioca starch or cornstarch with equal parts cold water then pour it into the simmering juices. It will thicken almost instantly.
Then pour that liquid magic over your roast chicken …
What to serve with slow cooker roast chicken
Roast chicken is best with a traditional starch and veggie side. If you want to keep life extra simple, serve it with a green salad tossed in one of our favorite salad dressing recipes and call that dinner.
- Boursin Mashed Cauliflower
- Garlic Brown Butter Mashed Cauliflower
- Crispy Garlic Smashed Red Potatoes
- Smoky Roast Potatoes
And a few veggie sides:
- Spicy Honey Roasted Carrots
- Easy Roasted Italian Cauliflower
- Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic
- Sauteed Asparagus with Garlic and Parmesan
- Sweet and Spicy Yam Wedges
Favorite Roast Chicken Recipes
- Lemon Herb Butter Roast Chicken
- Roasted Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Orange Cranberry Roast Chicken with Rosemary Balsamic Butter ← festive!
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Crockpot Roast Chicken Recipe
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 4 hours hrs
Total: 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
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If you've ever wondered if you can use your slow cooker to roast chicken, the answer is YES! Crockpot Roast Chicken is unbelievably delicious. It requires next to no prep, stays super juicy, and is almost impossible to overcook. Plus, you'll get a little gravy to serve with dinner!
4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 3lbs.)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper
- ½ teaspoon EACH: oregano and chili powder
- 1 tablespoon tapioca starch or cornstarch
Instructions
Make a ring out of aluminum foil and place this in the bottom of your crockpot and place the chicken on top.
1 whole chicken
Mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, oregano, and chili powder together in a small bowl then sprinkle them over the chicken. Put the lid on the crockpot and set it on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. (see notes)
1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, ½ teaspoon EACH: oregano and chili powder
Remove the chicken from the crockpot. Pour the liquid in the pot into a small frying pan and bring it to a boil. Whisk the tapioca starch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and add it to the pan. Whisk until the gravy thickens.
1 tablespoon tapioca starch or cornstarch
Optional step
If you'd like crispy skin, place the chicken on a baking sheet or low-sided pan and broil it for about 5 minutes. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before you carve it.
Notes
If you want to cook the chicken on low for 8 hours, start it on high for 1 hour first to ensure it will be fully cooked.
To check if the chicken is done, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure not to touch the bone. If it reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it is safe to eat.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving = ¼ of the recipe, Calories: 241kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 2g (1%), Protein: 20g (40%), Fat: 16g (25%), Saturated Fat: 5g (31%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 81mg (27%), Sodium: 661mg (29%), Potassium: 215mg (6%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 299IU (6%), Vitamin C: 5mg (6%), Calcium: 13mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
© Author Kristen Stevens
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
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