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Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Seasoning Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 62 reviews
  • Author: Simon
  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 10 minutes (slow cooker), or about 1 hour (Instant Pot including pressure release and resting time)
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x

Description

This Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe offers a flavorful, tender, and juicy chicken cooked to perfection. Seasoned with a blend of paprika, garlic, onion powder, oregano, and a touch of cayenne, this dish is ideal for an effortless meal. You can cook it using either a slow cooker or an Instant Pot, making it versatile for different kitchen setups. The slow cooker method yields a richly cooked bird over several hours, while the Instant Pot version provides a quicker pressure-cooked alternative.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 to 5 pound whole chicken

Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Other

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water (for Instant Pot only)

Instructions

  1. Remove giblets: If your chicken came with a bag of giblets inside the cavity, remove it to prepare the chicken for cooking.
  2. Pat dry and oil: Use paper towels to pat the chicken dry thoroughly. Drizzle the oil evenly all over the chicken to help the seasoning stick and to promote browning.
  3. Season the chicken: In a small bowl, combine paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, pepper, and cayenne. Rub this seasoning blend evenly all over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
  4. Prepare slow cooker: Spray the slow cooker insert with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned chicken inside the slow cooker.
  5. Slow cook: Cook the chicken on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, until fully cooked and tender.
  6. Rest the chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.
  7. Instant Pot setup (optional): Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot pressure cooker. Pour 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth or water into the pot.
  8. Cook in Instant Pot: Place the seasoned chicken on the trivet. Close the lid and seal the valve. Set the pressure cooker to high pressure and cook for 6 minutes per pound of chicken.
  9. Pressure release: When cooking time is complete, allow a natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
  10. Rest after Instant Pot: Remove the chicken and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing to ensure moistness and flavor retention.

Notes

  • Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F (74°C) before serving for safe consumption.
  • Use cooking spray or lightly oil the slow cooker insert to prevent sticking.
  • Adjust seasoning amounts if you prefer milder or spicier flavors, especially the cayenne pepper.
  • Resting the chicken after cooking helps retain juices and improve tenderness.
  • Leftover chicken can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours (slow cooker high) or 36 to 48 minutes (Instant Pot, based on weight)
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: whole chicken, slow cooker chicken, Instant Pot chicken, easy chicken recipe, paprika chicken, slow cooked chicken

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Find it online: https://kitchenofsimon.com/slow-cooker-whole-chicken-with-seasoning-recipe/