Garlic-Infused Whole Chicken: A Dreamy Slow Cooker Recipe
Cooking a whole juicy slow cooker whole chicken with garlic brings comfort right to your dinner table.
Succulent flavors meld together as the chicken simmers gently in its own rich juices.
Tender and aromatic, this dish promises a delightful meal that requires minimal effort.
Slow cooking transforms an ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy experience.
Garlic infuses every bite with deep, warming notes that dance across your palate.
The meat falls off the bone, promising a mouthwatering meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Prepare to savor a simple yet extraordinary dinner that celebrates home-style cooking.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Calories: 290 kcal
Servings: 9
What You’ll Need For Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic
For Main Protein:For Seasoning Blend:For Cavity Aromatics:Slow Cooker Tools For Whole Chicken With Garlic
Steps To Make Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic
Grab your whole chicken and give it a thorough pat-down with paper towels. Check inside for any surprise giblets and remove them quickly.
Whip up a flavor explosion by mixing your favorite herbs and spices. Massage the seasoning blend all over the chicken, making sure to sneak some underneath the skin for maximum deliciousness.
Stuff the chicken’s cavity with fragrant garlic cloves, zesty lemon wedges, and chunks of sweet onion. These hidden treasures will infuse incredible taste from the inside out.
Drizzle some olive oil or melted butter over the chicken and nestle it breast-side up in your slow cooker. Pour in some chicken broth for extra moisture and flavor.
Cover and let the slow cooker work its magic. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F in the thickest part of the thigh.
Want golden, crackling skin? Transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes until it looks beautifully bronzed.
Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes, letting the juices redistribute. Carve and serve with your favorite side dishes for a mouthwatering meal.
Tips To Boost Flavor In Whole Chicken With Garlic
How To Serve Whole Chicken With Garlic
Storage Plan For Whole Chicken With Garlic
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Tender Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic Recipe
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 9 1x
Description
Succulent slow cooker whole chicken with garlic mingles Mediterranean flavors in a simple one-pot meal. Herb-infused chicken emerges tender and juicy, perfect for family dinners you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (4–5 lbs / 1.8–2.3 kg)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked or regular)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2 tbsps olive oil or melted butter
- ½ cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly cleanse the whole chicken, patting dry with paper towels and removing internal organs, ensuring a pristine canvas for flavor infusion.
- Seasoning: Craft a robust spice blend, massaging the aromatic herbs and ground seasonings meticulously across the entire chicken surface, including beneath the delicate skin for maximum flavor penetration.
- Flavor Layering: Introduce a flavor core by tucking crushed garlic cloves, vibrant lemon segments, and aromatic onion chunks into the chicken cavity, creating a complex flavor profile from within.
- Slow Cooking Setup: Drizzle the chicken with golden olive oil, positioning it breast-side up in the slow cooker basin, then gently pour chicken broth around the base to create a moist cooking environment.
- Cooking Process: Cover and slow roast on low temperature for 6-7 hours, allowing the chicken to tenderize completely while ensuring the internal temperature reaches a safe 165°F throughout the meat’s thickest sections.
- Finishing Touch: For a crisp exterior, transfer the succulent chicken to a baking sheet and briefly broil to develop a gloriously golden, crackling skin that adds textural contrast to the tender meat.
- Serving: Allow the roasted chicken a brief resting period of 10-15 minutes to redistribute internal juices, then carve and present with complementary accompaniments for a memorable culinary experience.
Notes
- Thorough Chicken Prep: Pat chicken completely dry to ensure crispy skin and better seasoning adherence.
- Strategic Spice Application: Massage spices under the skin for deeper flavor penetration and more intense taste experience.
- Moisture Management: Add minimal liquid to prevent boiling instead of slow roasting, maintaining rich chicken texture.
- Broiler Technique: Watch carefully during final browning to prevent burning, using just 2-3 minutes for perfect golden skin.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Olivia Bennett
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Nutritional Analysis, Dietary Accommodations, Food Writing and Blogging,
Education
University of Texas at Austin
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.
Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.