Slow Cooker Roast Chicken is the juiciest, most forgiving and easiest whole chicken recipe I know. It’s such a great way to cook a whole chicken in the slow cooker that’s incredibly quick to prepare with beautiful flavours reminiscent of Greek food!
This roast chicken recipe can be slow cooked OR pressure cooked. You can serve up a Sunday Roast Chicken dinner any day of the week!
Slow Cooker Roast Chicken – A Gold Nugget Recipe
If you’re new to making a whole chicken in a slow cooker, this is going to be life changing.
No false promises! This crock pot whole chicken recipe is truly one of my gold nugget recipes. That elusive combination of quick and easy, incredibly forgiving, but in no way a compromise of a great classic Roast Chicken. Here’s why:
✅ The flesh of this chicken (even the breast) is so juicy, you’d swear it’s been brined;
✅ Ultra forgiving – Even if you go 2 hours over the cook time, it’s still juicy. The magic of slow cookers!
✅ It looks and tastes like a traditional oven roasted chicken – albeit (I kid you not) the breast meat is more tender and juicier;
✅ Various cooking options with exactly the same outcome. Slow cook on low (5 hours), high (3 hours), or pressure cook for 24 minutes.
✅ It takes less than 10 minutes to prepare to get it in the slow cooker, and you can prep ahead. Plus, the Lemon Sauce is effortless – just add cornflour/cornstarch into the slow cooker juices.
Crock pot whole chicken recipe ingredients
This is all you need for this recipe:
How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Slow Cooker
This Lemon Garlic slow cooker whole chicken starts with an olive oil paste that’s made with lemon, garlic, salt, pepper and dried herbs of choice (I use thyme, oregano and parsley).
For maximum flavour, I put most of the paste under the skin of the chicken. This is not hard to do – and doesn’t need to be “perfect”!!! Watch the video. 🙂 Just loosen the skin using a dessert spoon (hugs the curves, avoids piercing skin).
Then spoon the paste under the skin.
Roughly spread the paste using your hands or the spoon on the surface of the skin. Doesn’t need to be perfect, the paste will slide and naturally spread as it cooks.
Pop the used lemon inside the chicken.
Place the chicken on a rack in the slow cooker (or use balls or a ring of scrunched up foil). This keeps the underside of the chicken from being submerged in liquid which makes it cook faster.
Slow cook for 5 hours on low or 3 hours on high.
Brown the skin – When the chicken comes out of the slow cooker, it will smell gorgeous but will look thoroughly unappetising – pale and colourless. Just a quick 5 to 10 minute broil/grill fixes that – you will be amazed how quickly the skin goes from bland to crispy golden brown!!!
How long does a whole chicken take in the slow cooker?
A 2kg/4lb whole chicken will take 5 hours on low, or 3 hours on high. This will be a juicy and carvable, chicken like a traditional oven Roast Chicken.
If you want one where the meat is more tender and can basically be pulled off the bone with little effort, slow cook for 7 to 8 hours on low.
Pressure Cooker / Instant Pot Option!
This Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken can also be made in a pressure cooker. It comes out exactly the same – just a heck of a lot faster! 😂 Just add 1/2 cup of water and pressure cook for 24 minutes on high. Let it depressurise naturally for 10 minutes then release the valve.
Lemon Sauce
I used to call this a gravy, but it somehow seemed odd to have a lemon flavoured gravy. So I reverted to just Lemon Sauce!
You’ll love how straight forward this is compared to usual gravies. No messing around with oily pans and cooking flour and straining. Just add cornstarch / cornflour then simmer until thickened. That’s it!
Oh the possibilities!!!
The beauty of recipes like this is that it’s easy to adapt this cooking method to make it your own. I’ve kept it straightforward because it’s an everyday roast chicken recipe.
Here are some ideas for variations:
Other dried herbs – or use fresh instead;
Add spices – or skip the herbs and use a rub instead;
Add a quartered onion and halved head of garlic (or smashed garlic cloves) under the chicken (it will make the gravy even tastier! Strain out of sauce)
Add fresh herbs and a halved head of garlic inside the chicken (you need lots of garlic to be able to taste it)
Use butter instead of oil (use more!)
OK, so that’s it from me! Longer than usual post, but I have a lot to say when it comes to this Slow Cooker Roast Chicken. 🙂 Hope you enjoy. And I’d really love to hear what you think if you try it – or how you make it your own! – Nagi x
Lemon Garlic Slow Cooker Roast Chicken
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Lemon Garlic Slow Cooker Roast Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 kg / 4 lb whole chicken , patted dry (Note 1)
Rub (Note 2):
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2.5 tbsp olive oil (or melted butter), plus extra for drizzling
- 3 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 large lemon , all zest + all juice
Lemon Sauce:
- 1 tbsp cornflour/cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
- 1 extra lemon , just in case
Instructions
- Rub – Mix Rub ingredients. should be fairly thick and sludgy. Adjust with extra oil if too thick.
- Loosen Skin: Use upside spoon to loosen skin of chicken (see video). Spoon most of the Rub under the skin, leaving about 1 tbsp mostly oil for the skin. Use hands or spoon on skin to spread the paste – doesn’t need to be perfect.
- Stuff used lemon inside the chicken.
- Put rack inside slow cooker (Note 3), place chicken on top. Spread with remaining sludge, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Slow cook 5 hours on low or 3 hours on high, or until juices run clear or internal temperature is 75C / 165F using a meat thermometer. (Note 4 for other cook methods)
- Brown skin: Remove chicken from slow cooker, drizzle with a bit of extra oil. Grill/broil on medium high for 5 to 10 minutes to brown the skin (~25cm /10″ from heat source). Or oven 240C/450F for 10 min.
- Spoon over pan juices, then serve with Lemon Sauce! (No need to rest chicken)
Lemon Sauce:
- Pour all slow cooker liquid into a saucepan, add cornflour / water mixture. Mix.
- Bring to simmer over medium high and cook until liquid thickens to thin syrup (depends how much liquid you have, usually 3 min or so). Adjust salt and pepper to taste, add more lemon if desired (the extra lemon). Pour into jug.
Recipe Notes:
Pressure cook – Add ½ cup water and pressure cook for 24 minutes on high (depressure naturally 10 min before releasing valve).
Oven – Follow directions in this juicy Roast Chicken recipe. 5. Slow Cooker Cook Times:
1-1.5kg / 2-3 lb – 4.5 hrs on low
1.75-2.25kg / 3.5-4.5 lb – 5 hrs on low
2.5kg / 5lb – 6 hrs on low
For almost “all apart” meat, add 1 to 2 hours onto the cook times. Flesh is still juicy! Pressure Cooker: 6 minutes per 500g/1lb of chicken. 5. Prep Ahead / Storage: Prepare chicken with rub under and on skin. Refrigerate up to 48 hours then slow cook per recipe. Cooked chicken keeps for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. 6. Nutrition per serving assumes all sauce is consumed.
Nutrition Information:
Originally published August 2014. Updated January 2019 – recipe improved, everything completely rewritten, new photos, new video. Most importantly, Life of Dozer section added! 😂 Just in case anyone is after the original recipe, here it is.
More whole chicken recipes
Life of Dozer
He was captivated by the video for this slow cooker chicken…. 😂😂😂
I noticed you put chicken on rack in slow cooker. Is this necessary? Love the new website…:)
Hi Ojailyn! It’s recommended because it keeps the chicken from sitting in its own juices as it cooks which makes the underside more tender than the upper side 🙂 But it’s not a deal breaker! N x
I love your new website and recipes.
Is there anything more versatile than chicken? I think I will use the oven for this recipe because I don’t have either of these appliances.
Hi Jen! This recipe works beautifully with the oven too 🙂 I’m so pleased you like my new website, thank you! N x
Delicious! I’ve never thought of lemon and chicken going together before!
It’s amazing!! Especially with garlic and a hint of herbs 🙂 N x
I love roast chicken. Thanks for including pressure cooker instructions too. Happy New Year!
You’re so welcome! It works so well with both, I make it using my pressure cooker quite regularly! N x
happy new year Nagi
Love your recipes .
Happy New Year to you too Margaret! I’m so glad you enjoy my recipes! N x
This Lemon Garlic slow cooker chicken recipe looks so yummy I could just feel my mouth salivitating. I just have to make this. Since I live by myself, it will make me some meals for during the week. thanks Nagi for such wonderful recipes to inspire all of us.
It’s perfect for that Patsy! Imagine the possibilities 🙂 Chicken Noodle Soup, salads, the Chinese Chicken and Corn Soup, in omelettes! N x
Neat trick for using the back of a spoon to get under the chicken’s skin! Thanks for including IP instructions too.
Works so well! Hugs the chicken curves and you won’t pierce the skin! N x
Have a chicken in my freezer now just waiting to be cooked like this.
Thanks Nagi! Pats to Dozer!
Will pass the pats on later – right now, he just got back from the beach and it’s wet and smelly! 😂
Hi Nagi, have made this and it’s absolutely delicious as are all your other recipes I have made, thankyou and have a great New years 😊
I’m so glad you liked this Jodi!! Happy New Year to you too! N x
Hi Nagi! Happy New Year to you and Dozer 🙂
Sounds perfect and tasty, have to go to get a whole chicken for the weekend to master this.
I am excited
YES! Do it Aniko, do it! 🙂 N x
What temperature should my meat thermometer register for the chicken to be cooked?
75C/165F 🙂 N x
Nagi. You need to repost this recipe. 2nd time I’ve made it and “oh my” is this a classic piece of yum. I know this is one of your older recipes but so delicious. I never really tried roasting chicken in the traditional way so I can’t compare this to the slow cooker recipe. However, friends that I’ve had over absolutely love this. The Lemon/garlic. 👍👍The only thing I can’t master is lump free gravy. I’m wondering if the flour should be put in to cook b4 broth etc. this chicken makes me so happy. 😍
Hi Steven! So funny you mention this, I was considering whether to repost this or do a new slow cooker chicken recipe! I just checked the recipe. I know why you get lumps – because flour is added into too much liquid. I’ve changed to steps to ensure you get smooth gravy every time!! N x
I’d love a new chicken slow cooker recipe. 🙂
Just make sure you keep this one up as well 😁
As for the new gravy steps thanks. I’m making this again today.
Wow!!! This is was the best chicken I ever made. Thanks again. I made this with mashed potatoes, green beans & a chopped salad. Heaven.
Steven
That’s fantastic to hear Steven! I’m so pleased you enjoyed this! N xx
How long do we cook chicken (3 lb. Per ingredient list or if 4.5 lb)? Only info I saw was top of recipe it states “8 min” – is that to be 8 HOURS?
Also, on high or low?
Thanks!
Hi Donna, sorry about that! Yes 8 hours, not 8 min (what a typo!) And it’s 8 hours on low (step 7). Hope that helps!
Nagi,
Thank you for another great recipe. I want to make this dish again, and also have some fresh pumpkins and kale that I need to use. Can you give me a recommendation for combing your Chicken Slow Cooker recipe and use the pumpkin and kale? I have even cook the pumpkin and kale separately–because I am fortunate to have 4 slow cookers. Thank you and I look forward to your feedback.
Hi Gail! Do you specifically want to use your slow cooker for the pumpkin and kale? If not, I would recommend roasting the pumpkin then shredding the kale and tossing then together with a dressing. YUM! N x
Nagi,
Thank you for your suggestion. I was trying to keep everything in the slow cooker, or use more than one slow cooker if needed. I agree that roasting the pumpkin in the oven is ideal, but I have to take a number of Lecruset pots and pans out of the oven in order to use it. That’s why I thought the slow cooker method would be easier for me. Can I cut the pumpkin in quarters(leaving the skin on) and roast the chicken on top of it? If so, would you suggest for cooking time? I’m sure the pumpkin might need to cook longer than the chicken. I usually do the chicken on low for 6-7hrs, so it doesn’t dry out. I found that 8hrs was a bit too long for my 3lb chicken. I like the idea about the shredded Kale salad. I can use the pumpkin seeds, with , pom seeds, and bleu cheese. Thank you again, and happy cooking.
I have a question.
My mom and I would like to try this recipe tonight, but we were wondering if this recipe’s outcome had chicken with a crispy skin?
Sorry for the late response! No it does not because it is made in a slow cooker 🙂
It is safe for slow cooker pan cooking without adding liquids?
Hi Mari, yes it is because the chicken cooks in its own juices!
Hi,
Love your recipes. I love to try new flavors and ways of making things, so your blog is a fun one for me! I’ve made a roast chicken in the slow cooker before, and the meat was delicious and succulent, but didn’t hold together as a roast. I’m trying your foil ball method today and will see if that gives me a more cohesive bird. I’m sure it will be delicious no matter how it looks, as all your recipes are. Thanks for being such a great resource for interesting food!
Hi Julia! I do hope you enjoy it and your roast holds together! It does come down to using the right weight and cooking for the prescribed time 🙂
I know I’m really late to the party, but I just recently discovered your wonderful recipes! I am excited about making a chicken in my ninja slow cooker. My question is , will this work for a bigger bird? I have an 8 lb chicken , and I’m hoping it will work. I know I would have to adjust the time , what do you suggest ?
Thank you!
Never too late to this party Rozanne! 🙂 I think for such a large chicken, 12 hours on LOW will work great! 10 hours for a 5lb bird is more than enough, and the larger the bird, the proportional cook time reduces 🙂
I love making roast chicken but love using a slow cooker even more. The combo? Yes, please! Can’t wait to try this.
Thank you Trudy! I hope you do try it! 🙂