This slow cooker whole chicken recipe is incredibly easy and delicious! The chicken is moist and falls right off the bone. Once you try it, you will say goodbye to your grocery store rotisserie chicken! 

This post is part of my Back to School Meal Planning and Meal Prep Series. Other posts in this series include Meal Plan Like A Boss, Meal Prep Like A Boss, and My Blue Apron Review.

How do you keep your meat moist when you cook it ahead of time? This was one of the most asked questions on my Meal Planning and Meal Prep Survey. Like many of you, I find that when you cook meat by itself ahead of time, it can get very dry if it’s not being used in a sauce or soup.

That’s why I love this recipe! The chicken comes out so tender and juicy. It’s the perfect make-ahead meat for lunches or busy weeknights. We like to add it to salads, paninis, quesadillas, or pita pizzas which are our go-to meals when we are short on time. 

Did I mention how simple it is to make this chicken? All you need aside from the whole chicken is an onion and some seasoning. I don’t measure anything. I just quarter the onion and place it on the bottom of the crockpot and add the seasoned chicken on top of the onions. That’s it! 

This slow cooker whole chicken is also great for an easy weeknight dinner. Just add carrots and potatoes into the crockpot with the chicken and you have a one pot meal! You could use the liquid it produces to make gravy or save it to make chicken stock.

5 from 1 vote

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Easy Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 4-5 lb whole chicken (insides removed)
• 1 large onion, quartered
• paprika
• chili powder
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• salt
• pepper

Instructions

1. Place onion on the bottom of slow cooker. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and any other spices that you like. I use the spices listed. You can rub the seasoning under the skin as well. 

2. Place the chicken breast side down on top of the onions. 

3. Cook chicken on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours or until chicken is cooked through and falling off the bone. Slow cooker times vary. Your chicken may take more or less time.

Recipe Notes

You do not need to add any liquid to this recipe. Placing the chicken on the onions will elevate the chicken, and keep it from soaking in its own juices, which may cause the chicken to be more like a boiled chicken rather than a roasted chicken.

If you would like a crispier skin, broil the chicken for 3-5 minutes.

We recommend using organic ingredients whenever possible.