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Tender Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic Recipe

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

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

Scale
  • 1 whole chicken (45 lbs / 1.82.3 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

  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