Juicy Garlic Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe for Cozy Meals

Here’s a mouthwatering slow cooker whole chicken with garlic that promises tender, juicy results every single time.

Your kitchen will soon fill with an irresistible aroma that hints at the deliciousness to come.

Tender meat practically falls off the bone, infused with rich garlic notes that make this dish absolutely irresistible.

Simple ingredients combine to create something magical in the slow cooker.

No complicated techniques or fancy equipment needed – just fresh chicken, fragrant garlic, and a few basic seasonings.

The magic happens effortlessly while you go about your day, letting the slow cooker work its culinary wonder.

Grab a fork and savor every incredible bite of this unbelievably easy meal that’s sure to become a household favorite.

Why Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic Is A Time Saver

• Effortless Culinary Magic: Transform a whole chicken into a mouthwatering meal with minimal prep work using your trusty slow cooker.
• Hands-Off Cooking Delight: Spend just minutes seasoning the chicken, then let the slow cooker do the heavy lifting while you enjoy your day without constant kitchen supervision.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort: Infuse the chicken with a perfect blend of herbs and garlic, creating a tender, juicy meal that'll have everyone coming back for seconds.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for busy weeknights, casual family dinners, or impressing guests with minimal effort and maximum taste.

What You Need For Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic

• Whole Chicken: Classic protein that creates a delicious main dish, best when fresh and without added solutions or brines.

• Garlic Cloves: Provides deep, robust flavor and aromatic base for the dish.
• Lemon Wedges: Adds bright citrus notes and helps tenderize the meat.
• Onion Pieces: Contributes sweet and savory undertones during slow cooking.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential base seasonings that enhance overall chicken flavor.
• Paprika: Adds mild warmth and beautiful reddish color to the chicken skin.
• Thyme, Rosemary: Herbaceous Mediterranean herbs that provide earthy and woodsy flavor profile.
• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Concentrated seasoning for deeper flavor complexity.

• Olive Oil or Melted Butter: Helps create moisture and promotes golden skin.
• Chicken Broth: Provides additional moisture and prevents chicken from drying during slow cooking.

Steps To Cook Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Gently clean the whole chicken using paper towels. Remove any internal organs if present. Take a moment to ensure the chicken is completely dry, which helps create a delicious crispy exterior.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Seasoning

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Dried thyme
• Dried rosemary
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder

Massage the spice blend thoroughly over the entire chicken, making sure to slide some seasoning underneath the skin for maximum flavor penetration.

Step 3: Add Aromatic Stuffing

• Crushed garlic cloves
• Fresh lemon wedges
• Chopped onion pieces

These ingredients will infuse the meat with incredible depth and fragrance during cooking.

Step 4: Position Chicken in Slow Cooker

Drizzle olive oil or melted butter over the chicken’s surface. Carefully place the chicken breast-side up in the slow cooker. Pour chicken broth around the base to create moisture.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours or on high temperature for 4-5 hours. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the thigh.

Step 6: Create Crispy Golden Skin

For an extra-special finish, transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet. Broil for approximately 5 minutes until the skin turns beautifully golden and crisp.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before carving. This helps redistribute the juices, ensuring each slice remains incredibly moist. Serve alongside your favorite side dishes and enjoy the tender, flavorful result.

Pro Tips For Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic

• Maximize Moisture: Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning to help the skin crisp up and prevent steaming instead of roasting.
• Boost Flavor Penetration: Gently lift the skin and rub seasonings directly onto the meat for deeper, more intense taste throughout the chicken.
• Create Aromatic Base: Stuffing the cavity with garlic, lemon, and onion infuses the meat with incredible complementary flavors from the inside out.
• Perfect Doneness Hack: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches exactly 165F, preventing dry meat while guaranteeing food safety.
• Crispy Skin Solution: Quickly broil the chicken after slow cooking to transform the skin from soft to delightfully golden and crunchy.

How To Store Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic

• Refrigerate leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Preserve the juicy meat by storing it with any remaining pan juices to keep it moist.
• Slice or shred the chicken before storing for easy meal prep and quick reheating.
• Freeze cooked chicken for a maximum of 3 months in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently reheat in the microwave or oven, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain tenderness.

Side Ideas For Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic

• Elevate with Herbal White Wine: Pair this succulent slow-cooked chicken with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, matching the herb-infused seasoning and cutting through the richness of the meat.
• Create Rustic Mediterranean Sides: Serve alongside roasted garlic potatoes, grilled zucchini, and a fresh Greek salad to complement the herb-seasoned chicken's Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Match with Hearty Red Wine Option: For red wine lovers, choose a lighter-bodied Pinot Noir that won't overpower the delicate chicken, enhancing the garlic and herb notes while providing a smooth drinking experience.
• Brighten with Citrus Salad: Prepare a light lemon and herb salad with mixed greens, which will echo the lemon wedges inside the chicken and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, slow-cooked protein.

Try Flavor Changes In Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic

• Herb Garden Delight: Swap dried herbs with fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage from your garden. Chop herbs finely and rub generously under chicken skin for an intense aromatic profile.
• Mediterranean Magic: Replace lemon wedges with orange slices and add kalamata olives to the cavity. Sprinkle za'atar seasoning instead of standard spice mix for a Greek-inspired flavor.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Mix chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika into the seasoning blend. Stuff chicken cavity with jalapeños, cilantro, and lime wedges for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Asian Fusion Approach: Incorporate ginger, five-spice powder, and soy sauce into the seasoning. Add green onions, star anise, and garlic cloves inside the cavity for a rich, complex taste.

FAQs For Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic

• Why use a whole chicken instead of chicken parts?

Whole chickens are more economical, provide more meat varieties, and create richer flavors compared to pre-cut pieces. They’re also perfect for feeding larger families or creating multiple meal options.

• Can I substitute dried herbs if I don't have fresh ones?

Absolutely! Use 1/3 the amount of dried herbs compared to fresh. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, use 1 teaspoon dried thyme. Dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked without a meat thermometer?

Look for clear juices when piercing the thickest part of the thigh, and ensure the meat is white (not pink) throughout. However, a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to confirm doneness at 165F.

• What's the benefit of rubbing seasonings under the chicken skin?

Placing seasonings directly under the skin helps the spices penetrate deeper into the meat, creating more intense flavor and ensuring the chicken is seasoned throughout, not just on the surface.

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken With Garlic Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent slow cooker whole chicken with garlic elevates home cooking with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Tender meat infused with aromatic herbs promises a comforting meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 whole chicken (4–5 pounds / 1.8–2.3 kilograms)

Seasoning Blend:

• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or regular)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Aromatics and Liquid:

• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
• ½ cup chicken broth

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Meticulously cleanse the whole chicken, eliminating moisture with fresh paper towels and removing any internal organs.
2. Craft a robust spice blend combining aromatic herbs and ground seasonings, thoroughly massaging the mixture across every exterior surface and gently underneath the delicate chicken skin.
3. Enhance the chicken’s interior by nestling crushed garlic cloves, bright lemon segments, and fragrant onion chunks within the cavity, creating a flavor-infused core.
4. Lavish the chicken with a generous drizzle of golden olive oil, positioning it elegantly breast-side upward in the slow cooker basin, then cascade chicken broth around its base.
5. Shield the slow cooker with its lid, allowing the chicken to gently roast on low temperature for approximately 6-7 hours, ensuring the meat reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F throughout the thickest muscle sections.
6. For those desiring a crisp exterior, carefully transfer the tender chicken onto a sturdy baking sheet, introducing it briefly to a high-heat broiler to develop a gloriously golden, crackling skin.
7. Grant the roasted chicken a peaceful resting period, allowing internal juices to redistribute for 10-15 minutes before skillfully carving and presenting alongside complementary accompaniments.

Notes

• Pat the chicken completely dry to ensure crispy skin and better seasoning absorption.
• Gently separate the skin from the meat to help the spices penetrate deeper, creating more flavorful results.
• Choose a smaller chicken (3-4 pounds) for more even cooking and tender meat in the slow cooker.
• Consider using a meat thermometer to check doneness without opening the lid and losing moisture during cooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg