Slow Cooker Whole Chicken & Gravy! A complete Sunday meal made easy in the crockpot. While it takes only minutes of prep, this tender, juicy crock pot chicken & gravy tastes like you’ve been in the kitchen all day.
This makes the perfect easy weeknight meal served alongside Garlic Ranch Mashed Potatoes and our favorite Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole! Your whole family is going to love this easy slow cooker whole chicken & gravy!
©SpendWithPennies.com
If you’ve never cooked a whole chicken in the slow cooker before, you are going to LOVE this recipe! I wish I could tell you in words how amazing this chicken is! It’s literally minutes of prep for a meal that tastes like you’ve been slaving in the kitchen all day long!
Chicken is my dinner time go-to… we love it grilled, baked and stuffed with cheese or even shredded for tacos but I have to admit, this whole chicken in the crockpot is one of my Sunday supper favorites! It is a perfect family dinner served with mashed potatoes and veggies but it’s also a great way to effortlessly cook a chicken in place of rotisserie chicken!
How to Cook a Whole Chicken a Slow Cooker
A quick homemade rub is added to a chicken which then cooks up tender and juicy in the slow cooker.
I prepare this in a 4QT slow cooker and I add balled up foil to slightly lift the chicken off the bottom of the pan but if you have a little rack that fits in your slow cooker you can certainly use that too! Adding a few onions and some celery to the bottom of the crockpot along with the foil makes the most flavorful and fabulous gravy!
If you like a crispy skin, broil it about 6″ from the broiler for a few minutes before serving.
Most of the time the chicken produces plenty of drippings for gravy but if you want extra, just add in some chicken broth. Mixing together a quick slurry of cornstarch and adding it to the slow cooker while the chicken rests creates a rich flavorful gravy. I sometimes add a can of mushrooms to the gravy (or add fresh mushrooms to the slow cooker before cooking).
You may be wondering if it is safe to cook a whole chicken in your crock pot and the answer is yes, it’s safe as the crockpot is intended to cook meat low and slow. Ensure your lid is on well to keep the heat in. I would definitely NOT recommend using frozen chicken in the slow cooker, if using whole chicken you’ll want to make sure it’s thawed.
As with all slow cookers, cooking times can vary slightly, you’ll want to make sure your chicken reaches 165 degrees in the thigh.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken about 4lbs
- 2 slices onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- cornstarch
- chicken broth optional
Seasoning Mix
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
Instructions
- Combine all seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl.
- Brush chicken with olive oil and rub seasoning into chicken.
- Roll up balls of foil and place in the bottom of the slow cooker with 2 thick slices of onion. Place chicken on foil, breast side up so it is slightly lifted off the bottom of the slow cooker. (You can use onion and carrot chunks instead if you prefer).
- Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours. (165 degrees)
- Remove chicken and place on a small pan. Broil 3-4 minutes to crisp skin (optional). Rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Gravy
- Remove foil and onion from slow cooker and turn onto high. If required, add broth to create about 2 cups of liquid.
- In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons cornstarch with 4 tablespoons water to create a slurry.
- Whisk about ⅔ of the cornstarch into the drippings/broth and let cook on high. Depending on the amount of liquid you may need to add more of the cornstarch slurry to reach desired consistency. Let cook at least 5 minutes before serving.
- Taste and season with salt & pepper.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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My 1st time doing this. I made it really simple. Use the rub and if you don’t have these specific ingredients, ….. make it up.
No aluminum foil or water is needed. Put at bottom, a layer of veggies. I used a bag (14 to 16 oz) of mixed frozen veggies of any kind. Next time around use veggies of your choice. I like carrots, celery and onions cut up large. Put in chicken breast and legs side up. Cook as directed. Make sure chicken is 164 degrees at the thick part of the thigh. E-Z peasy. Enjoy.
Thanks for sharing your method Jim! It does sound simple and delicious!
Made this for NYE dinner last night using a 3.5lb whole chicken. As a vegetarian, I’ve not made a whole chicken before, but my husband said it was amazing. Followed the recipe exactly and cooked on high for 4 hours. Used onion instead of foil to prop up in the slow cooker.
Fantastic. Super easy and amazing flavor.
Thanks for the info.
I am going to try this this Christmas looks amazing…can I use traditional sage and onion stuffing in the cavity of the bird?
I haven’t tried cooking this stuffed in the slow cooker, if you do try it you will need to ensure the stuffing reaches 165 degrees. Another option would be to bake the stuffing in the oven while the chicken cooks. :)
I love this simple,easy recipe.I put stalks of celery on the bottom of the slow cooker and then place the chicken (or roast) on top top of the celery. No burn, adds flavor and good circulation of water anand juices.
Do i add any water to the pot or slow cooker when i put the chicken in?
Great suggestion with the celery. No water (or liquid) is required.
I love this simple,easy recipe.
I put my very small chicken in frozend and may have cooked it too long, but got rave reviews.
Glad you loved it Gail!
SLOW COOKER WHOLE CHICKEN & GRAVY
I have a large whole bone-in chicken breast in the frig. Would like to cook it in the crockpot using the recipe you have shown. Could you give me some advice as to how long to cook just a chicken breast, not whole chicken? Want to try this tonight.
I haven’t tried this with a whole chicken breast.
This dish was easy to make and delicious! My family loved it, too. I’m keeping this recipe for future uses.
I’m so glad your family loved it!
I have a 6 at slow cooker will late b too big for a 5lb chicken?? I really want to try this
I think it should work just fine.
I only have a 3.5 quart crock pot but it is an oval shape and not round or rectangle. What size checken would fit? Would it have to be a smaller size than used in this recipe?
You would have to measure your slow cooker and check when you purchase your chicken.
Hi, Holly!
Wonderful recipe! I’m a mushroom fanatic, so I added chopped mushrooms to my gravy. Fresh or canned, I like them both but drying the mushrooms out ahead of time and then adding them into the gravy so they can soften up–superb!
I’m writing a piece on Autumn crockpot meals and would like to include this recipe. Would you mind? Full credit to you and your website, of course.
Thanks! :)
Can you bake in oven. What temp how long?
We generally cook a whole chicken uncovered using the following method.
15 minutes at 450 degrees F and reduce heat to 350 degrees and roast an additional 18-20 minutes 20 minutes per pound or until the inner thigh reaches 165 degrees.
This was delicious!! Super easy and the kids loved it! I didn’t have smoked paprika but we didn’t miss it. I made the gravy on the stove top in a small saucepan instead of in the crockpot as I find I can do it quicker that way. Served the chicken and gravy over egg noodles. Definitely a keeper! Thanks!
Thank you! We’re glad to hear that it’s a keeper for you and your family!
When I make a whole chicken in the crockpot, I end up having to carefully pick through and get out the bones. In your photo it shows string, does this help keep it together?
I just leave the string that is on it when purchased. It does seem to help keep it together.
Thank you. I’m going to try it out tomorrow. Nice job.
What amounts of cornstarch and chicken broth? It’s not in the recipe and I don’t wing it when it comes to this.
In step 2 of the gravy directions it states to use 4 tablespoons cornstarch with 4 tablespoons water to create a slurry.
Could you use flour instead of cornstarch wondering cause I do not have any cornstarch
While I’ve only tried the recipe as written, I’m sure that you use flour to thicken it Elizabeth.
In lieu of a whole chicken, have you ever tried just a chicken breast? Would you alter thego recipe in any way?
I haven’t however you may need to reduce the cooking time so they don’t dry out.
Sounds delicious and easy. I am going to make this week. Thank you!