By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 8, 2025
This Crockpot Whole Chicken recipe is so easy, and it always yields the juiciest and most tender results. If you need an easy, dependable, and impressive entree, this is the recipe for you. The chicken is cooked to perfection in a slow cooker with fresh herbs, veggies, and more!
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5-Star Review
“Absolutely delicious! I followed the directions exactly and was thrilled with the results, an herby roasted chicken with delicious veggies. So perfect for a special occasion yet so easy for a week day meal.” -Paula
Whole Chicken Crockpot Recipe
Wondering what to cook on those nights when you’re hosting family or friends and you need something impressive, but realistic? When these situations arise, I toss a whole chicken into the Crockpot. This easy recipe is even perfect for holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving, when I am not up for cooking a turkey or ham, and I still get to carve up some meat without all the hassle!
You can season your chicken with chicken seasoning or Italian seasoning , but my tried and true seasoning blend of fresh herbs, paprika, salt, and black pepper always satisfies. It’s simple, yet so mouthwatering.
I’ve also added celery, carrots, and onions to cook along with the chicken to lend even more flavor and serve as easy side dishes. Feel free to swap them out or add quartered potatoes to make a complete meal.
Tips for Beginners
- Never use frozen whole chicken in a crockpot . It can remain in the temperature danger zone (40°F–140°F) for too long, increasing the risk of foodborne illness. Always thaw chicken thoroughly in the refrigerator overnight before slow cooking.
- Do not add any additional liquid to the slow cooker—the chicken will create its own juices.
- Broil the chicken for crispier skin.
- Cooked whole chicken should register 160°F in the breasts and 170°F in the thighs.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing to seal in the juices.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 (4-pound) whole chicken
- ▢ 1½ tablespoons olive oil room temperature butter also works
- ▢ 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
- ▢ 1½ teaspoons ground paprika
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper divided
- ▢ 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- ▢ 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- ▢ 4 ribs celery cut into 2-inch pieces
- ▢ 3 carrots cut into 2-inch pieces
- ▢ 1 onion peeled and cut into wedges
- ▢ 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- ▢ 4 sprigs fresh thyme
Video
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. 1 (4-pound) whole chicken
- In a small bowl, stir the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, paprika, ½ teaspoon pepper, chopped thyme, and chopped rosemary together. Spread this mixture evenly over the chicken. 1½ tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1½ teaspoons ground paprika, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray. Add in the celery, carrots, onion, sprigs of rosemary and thyme, and remaining salt and pepper. Stir to combine. 4 ribs celery, 3 carrots, 1 onion, 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- Place the chicken, breast side up, over the top of the veggies, cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours.
- Carefully transfer the chicken to a parchment lined baking sheet and brush the skin with oil. Broil until the skin is crisp, about 3-5 minutes. Serve alongside the veggies.
Equipment
- Crockpot
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Whole Chicken Step by Step
Dry the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Prepare the spice blend : In a small bowl, stir together 1½ tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1½ teaspoons ground paprika, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary. Spread this mixture evenly over the chicken.
Prepare the slow cooker: Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray and add 4 ribs of celery, 3 carrots, 1 onion, 4 sprigs of rosemary, 4 sprigs of thyme, and remaining salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
Place the chicken in the crockpot : Place the chicken, breast side up, over the top of the veggies, cover, and cook on high for 4-5 hours.
Broil the chicken: Carefully transfer the chicken to a parchment-lined baking sheet and brush the skin with oil. Broil until the skin is crisp, about 3-5 minutes.
Serve and enjoy : Serve the chicken alongside the veggies.
How to Store
Store leftover crockpot whole chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 325°F oven in a baking pan drizzled with chicken stock or pan drippings and covered with aluminum foil for 20-25 minutes, until warmed through.
Freeze crockpot whole chicken cut into individual pieces in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
This crockpot whole chicken tastes great the next day in any recipe that calls for a rotisserie chicken. Feel free to use it to make chicken ranch wraps for a weekend lunch, or to prepare a chicken broccoli cheese rice casserole for your next potluck. When it’s cold outside, I use leftovers to make Tuscan chicken soup or a scrumptious chicken pot pie .
more whole chicken recipes we love
Whole Roast Chicken with Herbs de Provence
Spatchcock Chicken
Beer Can Chicken
Peruvian Chicken with Green Sauce
Crockpot Whole Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 (4-pound) whole chicken
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil room temperature butter also works
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 1½ teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper divided
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 4 ribs celery cut into 2-inch pieces
- 3 carrots cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 onion peeled and cut into wedges
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. 1 (4-pound) whole chicken
- In a small bowl, stir the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, paprika, ½ teaspoon pepper, chopped thyme, and chopped rosemary together. Spread this mixture evenly over the chicken. 1½ tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1½ teaspoons ground paprika, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- Spray the slow cooker with nonstick spray. Add in the celery, carrots, onion, sprigs of rosemary and thyme, and remaining salt and pepper. Stir to combine. 4 ribs celery, 3 carrots, 1 onion, 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- Place the chicken, breast side up, over the top of the veggies, cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours.
- Carefully transfer the chicken to a parchment lined baking sheet and brush the skin with oil. Broil until the skin is crisp, about 3-5 minutes. Serve alongside the veggies.
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
