Juicy Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe, cooked to perfection in just 4 hours. This easy slow cooker whole chicken recipe includes tender chicken and flavorful vegetables for a complete, hassle-free meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, this crockpot whole chicken is packed with flavor and requires minimal prep.

Crockpot Whole Chicken

This easy crockpot whole chicken recipe makes a delicious dinner with minimal effort, cooking both a tender whole chicken and vegetables at the same time. For the best results, use a whole chicken between 4 and 6 pounds, along with your favorite vegetables.

Whether you’re in a rush or planning ahead, I’ve included cooking times for both HIGH and LOW settings, so you can enjoy a flavorful meal no matter your schedule.

We love pairing this slow cooker whole chicken with fluffy mashed potatoes for the perfect comfort meal. It’s a family favorite, especially during fall and winter, and we make it once or twice a month. It’s also a budget-friendly option, especially if you catch the chicken on sale, and it can easily provide us with two meals as we have chicken sandwiches and gravy the next day.

My Crockpot Secret to Juicy Chicken

The secret to juicy, flavorful slow cooker chicken is all about how you cook it—and where you place it. Adding broth keeps everything moist, but the real trick is creating a “shelf” so the chicken doesn’t rest directly on the bottom of the crockpot.

While some people use aluminum foil, I like to use chopped vegetables instead. It not only lifts the chicken up for even cooking, but also turns this into a full meal in one pot. The result? Incredibly tender, juicy chicken that basically falls off the bone.

Vegetable Swapping

Although I think this recipe is perfect with potatoes, carrots, celery and onion, there’s no reason why you can’t swap vegetables depending what’s in season. Other ideas are:

• Chopped green beans
• Sweet Potatoes
• Butternut Squash
• Brussels Sprouts
• Parsnips
• Mushrooms

How To Make a Whole Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Add in the vegetables to the bottom of the slow cooker. I recommend 4 cups of vegetables, but you can use more if you want to, just remember you have to fit in a chicken and close the lid.

Pour chicken broth on top.

Rub the chicken with salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper and place on top of the vegetables in slow cooker.

Add 2 slices of butter on top of the chicken, this is going to melt as time goes on in the slow cooker and really make the skin juicy!

Cook and then remove from slow cooker, cutting apart the chicken to serve it. The meat is so tender it should just fall off the bone! Serve alongside the vegetables, and other sides if you want!

Storing Leftover Chicken

Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days—perfect for easy lunches or repurposing into another dinner!