How to Roast Chicken in a Slow Cooker

You can bring a beautiful golden brown roast chicken with succulent flavor to the table with minimal prep time and no-fuss cooking. A roast chicken cooked in your slow cooker is the perfect way to serve a holiday meal without spending all of your time in the kitchen instead of with family and friends.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 2 to 3 lb. whole chicken (farm raised is preferable)
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. fresh rosemary
• 1 tsp. lemon peel
• 1 tsp. salt and ground black pepper
• 6 qt. slow cooker

1. Wash your chicken thoroughly, including a light rinsing underneath the skin. Do not remove the skin. Completely dry chicken with paper towels or disposable cloth. Rub the surface of the chicken with extra virgin olive oil, including the under the legs and wings. Let chicken sit.
2. Prepare the spices. Chop fresh rosemary very finely, and use a fork to blend with the lemon peel. Set aside. Blend salt and pepper in a separate small container. Using your fingers sprinkle some of the salt and pepper mixture inside the chicken, follow with a sprinkling of the rosemary and lemon peel mixture. Using remaining salt and pepper, rub it into the outside skin of the chicken. Follow with the remaining rosemary and lemon peel. Cover as much as the surface of the chicken as possible.
3. Place the seasoned chicken into the slow cooker. Cook for 3 hours on high, then turn slow cooker to low and continue cooking for 4 to 5 hours. Do not add any water or liquid, allow the chicken to roast in its own juices and the seasonings.
4. Optionally, when the chicken is done you can use the broth from the chicken to make a chicken gravy. Be sure to use large spatulas to remove the chicken, as it will be very tender and can fall apart. If you like, you can sprinkle your beautiful roast chicken with a little paprika for color.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want a more spicy roast chicken, exchange rosemary and lemon peel for crushed red pepper and dry mustard in equal amounts.
• Try adding sliced carrots after turning cooker to low, and pearl onions during the last hour.
• Wash your hands and all cooking surfaces, utensils and sinks thoroughly after preparing raw chicken.