Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (w/ Potatoes & Carrots!)

Image of Slow Cooker Garlic Balsamic Whole Chicken

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (w/ Potatoes & Carrots!)

Tender, juicy, and incredibly simple to prepare, my slow cooker whole chicken and veggies is a satisfying one-pot meal made with whole chicken, potatoes, and carrots; with no pre-cooking required. Just throw everything in and come home to a full chicken dinner ready and waiting!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Keyword chicken, Crockpot, Slow Cooker

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 4

Servings

Calories 417

Author Robyn Conley Downs

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 4-pound whole chicken, giblets removed
1 pound baby potatoes, sliced into halves
1 pound carrots

For the Garlic Balsamic Sauce

2 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons dried thyme

Instructions

Make the Spice Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.
Make the Garlic Balsamic Sauce: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, balsamic, and thyme. Stream in the olive oil, whisking until well incorporated.
Add the Veggies to the Slow Cooker: Add the potatoes and carrots to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add half the spice mixture (about 1 ½ teaspoon) and 2 tablespoons balsamic sauce, tossing to coat.
Prepare the Chicken: Sprinkle the remaining spice mixture on the chicken, rubbing to cover the bird and under the skin.
Add the Chicken: Place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Pour over the remaining 2 tablespoons balsamic sauce.
Cook: Cover and cook until breast registers 165 degrees and thighs register 175 degrees, 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low.
Crip the Skin (Optional): Remove the chicken from the slow cooker. It will be so tender that it may fall apart, though using two spatulas helps the process. If you’d like the chicken to have crispy skin, place it on a baking sheet and broil on high for 3-4 minutes.
Serve: Serve the chicken along with the potatoes and carrots, drizzled with cooking juices, if desired.

Notes

When Adding the Chicken to the Slow Cooker: For a prettier presentation, place the chicken breast-side up. For juicer breast meat, place the chicken breast-side down.
Cooking Liquid: Strain the liquid left in the bottom of the slow cooker and use it to drizzle over the chicken, or reserve and us as a base for soups or stews.
Short on Time: If you're short on time or just want a basic option, skip the balsamic sauce and simply use the dried spice mix.

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