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

• Whole Chicken: Select a fresh, plump bird with smooth skin and no odd odors, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Giblets: Optional internal organs that can be removed or kept for additional stock preparation.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that penetrate and tenderize the meat.
• Paprika: Adds warm, slightly sweet color and subtle smoky undertones.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Aromatic herbs that infuse rich, earthy Mediterranean-style notes.
• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Concentrated seasonings delivering deep, rounded savory flavors.

• Garlic Cloves: Smashed to release intense, mellow flavor that permeates the chicken.
• Lemon Wedges: Introduces bright, zesty citrus notes that cut through richness.
• Onion Pieces: Creates additional depth and subtle sweetness inside the chicken.
• Olive Oil or Melted Butter: Helps crisp skin and adds luxurious moisture.
• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and prevents chicken from drying during slow cooking.

Slow Cooker Tools For Whole Chicken With Garlic

• Slow cooker: Essential for cooking the whole chicken evenly and keeping it moist.
• Cutting board: Needed for preparing and seasoning the chicken.
• Paper towels: Used to pat the chicken dry before seasoning.
• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing the spice rub.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurately measuring seasonings.
• Baking sheet (optional): Used for crisping the skin under the broiler.
• Kitchen knife: Required for cutting lemon and onion, preparing garlic.
• Meat thermometer: Crucial for checking chicken's internal temperature.

Steps To Make Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic

• Clean and Prep Chicken

Grab your whole chicken and give it a thorough pat-down with paper towels. Check inside for any surprise giblets and remove them quickly.

• Sprinkle Magic Seasoning

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.

• Create Inner Flavor Bombs

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.

• Set Up Slow Cooker Magic

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.

• Low and Slow Cooking

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.

• Optional Crispy Finish

Want golden, crackling skin? Transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes until it looks beautifully bronzed.

• Rest and Serve

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

• Flavor Boosting Tip: Marinate the chicken overnight in a mixture of herbs, garlic, and lemon juice for deeper, more intense flavor profile before slow cooking.
• Crispy Skin Hack: For extra crispy skin, pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning and use a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve better browning.
• Low-Carb Friendly Option: Skip the onion and replace with herbs like thyme and rosemary for a keto-friendly version that maintains rich, robust flavors without adding carbohydrates.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Shred leftover chicken and store in airtight containers for up to 4 days, perfect for quick salads, sandwiches, and quick weeknight meal additions.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace butter with olive oil or avocado oil to make the recipe completely dairy-free while maintaining moisture and rich taste.

How To Serve Whole Chicken With Garlic

• Rustic Family Feast: Gather everyone around the table and serve this juicy whole chicken with hearty roasted vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts for a complete meal.
• Zesty Sandwich Makeover: Shred the leftover chicken and create delicious sandwiches with crisp lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and a tangy homemade garlic aioli spread on fresh crusty bread.
• Flavor-Packed Salad Topper: Slice the chicken and layer over a mixed green salad with crumbled feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, and a light lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing and protein-rich lunch option.
• Comfort Bowl Delight: Break the chicken into chunks and mix with cooked quinoa, roasted seasonal vegetables, and a drizzle of herb-infused olive oil for a nourishing and satisfying one-bowl meal.

Storage Plan For Whole Chicken With Garlic

• Fridge Fresh Tactics: Store cooked chicken in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Refrigerated chicken stays delicious for 3-4 days when sealed properly.
• Freezer Storage Magic: Slice or shred leftover chicken and freeze in freezer-safe bags. Frozen chicken maintains top quality for 2-3 months when sealed tightly with minimal air exposure.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated chicken in microwave or oven, adding a splash of broth to prevent dryness. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety.
• Meal Prep Champion: Transform leftover chicken into quick salads, sandwiches, or weekly lunch bowls. Chop chicken and mix with fresh herbs, greens, or wrap in tortillas for instant meal variety.

Tender Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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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.

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Ingredients

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• 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

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Thoroughly cleanse the whole chicken, patting dry with paper towels and removing internal organs, ensuring a pristine canvas for flavor infusion.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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