Experience the ultimate in convenience and flavor with this incredibly tender and perfectly seasoned Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken. Cooked low and slow, it develops a deep, rich taste that will make it a staple in your family’s meal rotation. Stuffed with aromatic garlic and zesty lemon, this recipe brings the beloved rotisserie chicken experience right to your slow cooker, promising succulent results every time.
Achieve Rotisserie-Style Perfection in Your Slow Cooker
Transforming an ordinary whole chicken into a juicy, flavorful masterpiece has never been easier, thanks to the magic of your slow cooker. This Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken recipe is a true family favorite, delivering exceptionally tender and super flavorful meat with minimal effort. Whether you’re planning a hearty main course or preparing shredded chicken for other recipes, this method ensures a perfectly cooked bird every single time. It’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want a home-cooked meal without being tethered to the kitchen. The slow-cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a depth of taste that’s hard to achieve with quicker methods. Imagine the possibilities: savory chicken sandwiches, robust chicken salads like our Homemade Chicken Salad, or even a comforting chicken noodle soup.
Why Slow Cook Your Whole Chicken? The Benefits of “Low and Slow”
The slow cooker isn’t just a convenient appliance; it’s a game-changer for preparing whole chickens. By cooking “low and slow,” you unlock a multitude of benefits:
- Unrivaled Tenderness: The gentle, prolonged heat breaks down tough fibers in the chicken, resulting in meat that literally falls off the bone. Say goodbye to dry, chewy chicken!
- Intense Flavor Infusion: With hours spent simmering in its own juices and infused with the aromatics you add, the chicken absorbs all the wonderful flavors from the spices, lemon, and garlic, making every bite incredibly rich.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Set it and forget it! Once the initial prep is done, your slow cooker handles the rest, freeing you up to tackle other tasks or simply relax. This is perfect for meal prepping or busy weekdays.
- Natural Juices: The sealed environment of a slow cooker traps moisture, ensuring your chicken remains incredibly juicy without the need for additional liquids. These flavorful juices can then be used to make gravy or a rich chicken stock.
- Versatility: A slow-cooked whole chicken provides a fantastic base for countless meals. Enjoy it as a main dish, or shred/dice the leftovers for tacos, casseroles, soups, salads, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken
Absolutely no need! The chicken naturally releases a significant amount of its own juices as it cooks. This self-basting process keeps the chicken wonderfully moist and tender throughout the entire cooking time. Adding extra water, chicken broth, or stock is unnecessary and can sometimes dilute the rich flavors of your perfectly seasoned bird.
When you cook a whole chicken exclusively in a slow cooker, the skin typically remains soft due to the moist, steamy environment. However, the seasoning mixture creates an incredibly delicious, flavorful skin regardless. If you prefer that signature golden-brown, crispy rotisserie skin, akin to what you see in our photos, you can easily achieve it! Simply follow the quick broiling step outlined at the bottom of the step-by-step instructions. This brief oven finish will give you that irresistible crispy texture.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to cook raw chicken in a slow cooker. Slow cookers are designed to cook food at a low, consistent temperature over an extended period, which is effective in eliminating harmful bacteria. For complete food safety assurance, always use a meat thermometer to confirm that the internal temperature of your chicken reaches a minimum of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh, without touching the bone, before serving and consuming.
This versatile Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken pairs beautifully with a wide array of side dishes. For a truly comforting meal, consider serving it alongside Stick of Butter Rice, Cafeteria Noodles, Fried Corn, our easy No Boil Mac and Cheese, or even decadent Million Dollar Mashed Potatoes. Don’t forget some warm, fluffy Butter Swim Biscuits to soak up all those amazing juices – they would be absolutely divine!
Storing leftovers is simple, making this recipe fantastic for meal prepping! Cooked chicken can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze leftover cooked chicken in an appropriate freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Absolutely! Adding root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or celery to the slow cooker can create a complete one-pot meal. Place heartier vegetables on the bottom of the slow cooker, as they take longer to cook and will benefit from being closer to the heat source and absorbing the chicken’s delicious juices. Add more tender vegetables like peas or green beans during the last hour of cooking to prevent them from becoming too mushy.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Slow Cooker Chicken
Crafting this succulent Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken requires a simple yet powerful combination of ingredients that work together to create incredible flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Whole Roasting Chicken: Aim for a 3-4 pound bird. Before seasoning, always check the cavity for any neck bones or giblet packets and remove them. While some people choose to wash their chicken, it’s generally not recommended as it risks spreading salmonella. If you’re comfortable with the risk, you may proceed, but for safety, it’s best to pat it dry thoroughly instead.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: These foundational seasonings enhance all the other flavors. Don’t skimp on quality; freshly ground pepper makes a noticeable difference.
- Paprika: This spice not only adds a lovely, vibrant color to the chicken skin but also contributes a mild, sweet peppery note. For an even richer, smokier flavor profile, consider using smoked paprika.
- Dried Thyme: Thyme and chicken are truly a culinary match made in heaven. Its earthy, slightly minty notes are essential for that classic rotisserie taste, so be sure not to skip it.
- Lemon Pepper: This seasoned blend provides a zesty, bright kick and complements the fresh lemon beautifully, ensuring every part of the chicken is infused with citrusy goodness.
- Lemon: Halved and stuffed into the chicken cavity, the lemon works wonders to flavor the chicken from the inside out. This ensures that the deep, citrusy aroma penetrates beyond just the skin, resulting in a full-bodied, flavorful chicken.
- Garlic: For the best results, fresh garlic is key. Whole garlic bulbs, sliced in half and placed in the cavity, release a potent, aromatic flavor that jarred minced garlic simply cannot replicate. While jarred garlic can be used in a pinch, fresh is highly recommended for its superior taste and fragrance.
- Onion: A small onion, quartered and added to the cavity, softens and releases a subtle sweetness and aromatic depth that beautifully complements the chicken, garlic, and lemon.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken
Making this succulent chicken is surprisingly simple. Follow these steps for a perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful meal:
- Prepare Your Spice Blend: In a small bowl, combine your salt, freshly ground black pepper, paprika (smoked if you prefer), dried thyme, and lemon pepper. Mix these spices thoroughly to create a uniform rub.
- Season the Chicken: Take your whole roasting chicken and generously rub the spice mixture all over its exterior. Be sure to cover the back, sides, and especially the breast, ensuring every inch is coated for maximum flavor. Don’t forget to sprinkle some of this seasoning inside the chicken cavity as well.
- Stuff with Aromatics: Squeeze some fresh lemon juice directly into the chicken cavity. Then, stuff the cavity with the lemon halves, sliced fresh garlic, and quartered onion. You don’t need to peel the garlic or onions; simply place them in as they are. These aromatics will infuse the chicken with incredible flavor as it cooks.
- Position in the Slow Cooker: Carefully place the seasoned and stuffed chicken into your slow cooker, ensuring it rests breast-side up. This position helps the breast meat stay moist during cooking.
- Begin Slow Cooking: Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Set your appliance to the low setting and let the chicken cook for 6-8 hours. The chicken is perfectly cooked when its internal juices run clear and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding bone) reads 165°F (74°C). Remember, no additional cooking liquid is needed; the chicken will create its own.
- Optional Crispy Skin Finish: If you desire a crispy, golden skin like traditional rotisserie chicken, follow this optional step. Once the chicken is fully cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and transfer it to an oven-safe dish. Preserve the flavorful cooking juices in the slow cooker for gravy or stock. Turn your oven broiler to a low setting and broil the chicken for 4-6 minutes, keeping a very close eye on it. Broiling can quickly lead to burning, so never walk away! If your slow cooker insert is oven-safe, you can simply transfer it to the oven directly in the insert. Broil until the skin is beautifully golden brown and crispy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before carving. Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes. You can strain the delicious juices left in the slow cooker to make a flavorful gravy or save them for future recipes that require chicken stock.
Combine spices in a small bowl. Rub this spice mixture all over the chicken, including the back of the chicken and the sides. Sprinkle some of the seasoning inside the chicken cavity. Squeeze some lemon juice inside the chicken. Then stuff the chicken cavity with lemon halves, sliced garlic and onions. I don’t bother peeling the garlic or onions. I just put them in there as they are. Place chicken breast side up in the slow cooker.
No other cooking liquid is needed. Cover and cook on low setting for 6-8 hours (or until juices run clear.) When slow cooking whole chickens, the skin will stay soft but still delicious. If you want a crispier skin like you’ll see I have on my chicken in these photos, you can pop it under the broiler to crisp it up. First, remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and save the juices for chicken stock. Place the chicken in an oven safe dish. Turn the oven broiler on low and broil for 4-6 minutes. If you have an oven safe Crockpot insert, you can just transfer it over in the insert. Keep an eye on your chicken, it may require more or less time to crisp up. Serve and enjoy!
Craving More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes?
If you loved the ease and flavor of this Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken, you’re in for a treat! Our collection of slow cooker recipes makes weeknight dinners and meal prep a breeze. Explore more of our comforting and flavorful dishes:
- Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken: A tangy, savory favorite.
- Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy: Ultimate comfort food.
- Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken: So good, you’ll want to commit!
- Crock Pot Crack Chicken: Addictive and easy.
- Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings: A hearty, classic stew.
- Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie: All the flavors of pie, in your slow cooker.
- Crock Pot Creamy Ranch Pork Chops: Tender pork with a creamy kick.
- Easy Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas: A simple, flavorful weeknight meal.
- Chicken and Biscuits Casserole: A comforting, all-in-one dish.
- Easy Cornbread Chicken Casserole: Southern comfort made simple.
- Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Lasagna: A rich twist on a classic.
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole: A crowd-pleasing combination of flavors.
Originally published: April 2014
Updated photos & republished: February 2025
Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken
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Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika (or smoked paprika)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 3-4 pound whole roasting chicken
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 whole garlic bulb, sliced in half
- 1 small onion, quartered
Instructions
- Combine 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon dried thyme and 1 teaspoon lemon pepper in a small bowl.
- Rub this spice mixture all over the 3-4 pound whole roasting chicken, including the back of the chicken and the sides as well as inside the chicken cavity.
- Squeeze some lemon juice inside the chicken. Then stuff the chicken cavity with 1 lemon, halved, 1 whole garlic bulb, sliced in half and 1 small onion, quartered (as best you can). I don’t bother peeling the garlic or onions. I just put them in there as they are.
- Place chicken breast side up in the slow cooker. No other cooking liquid is needed.
- Cover and cook on low setting for 6-8 hours (or until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165°F.)
- When slow cooking whole chickens, the skin will stay soft. If you want a crispier skin, you can pop it under the broiler to crisp it up.
First, very carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and save the juices for chicken stock. Place the chicken in an oven safe dish. Turn the oven broiler on low and broil for 4-6 minutes. If you have an oven safe Crockpot insert, you can just transfer it to the oven in the insert. Keep an eye on your chicken, it may require more or less time to crisp up. NEVER walk away from your oven when using the broiler, it can burn quickly if you aren’t carefully monitoring.
- Serve and enjoy! You can strain the juices from the slow cooker and make a gravy if you prefer or save it for another recipe that requires chicken stock.
Notes
- Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
- For added flavor, consider placing a bed of chopped carrots and celery at the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the chicken. This also helps to lift the chicken slightly, preventing it from sitting directly in its juices, which can contribute to a slightly crispier base if you omit the broiler step.
- If your chicken is larger than 4 pounds, you may need to increase the cooking time by an hour or two. Always rely on a meat thermometer for accurate doneness.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 4g |
Protein: 20g |
Fat: 16g |
Sodium: 852mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 1g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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