This recipe yields a tender, juicy, and flavorful rotisserie-style chicken cooked effortlessly in a slow cooker. The skin won’t be as crispy as a traditional rotisserie, but the meat will be incredibly moist and infused with herbs and spices.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
- Optional: Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme) for garnish
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Remove the giblets from the chicken cavity. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Mix Spices: In a small bowl, combine paprika, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Season the Chicken: Rub the chicken with olive oil, then generously coat it with the spice mixture, ensuring it’s well seasoned inside and out.
- Stuff the Cavity: Place the lemon and onion quarters inside the chicken cavity.
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: If your slow cooker has a roasting rack, place it in the bottom. If not, you can use crumpled aluminum foil to create a platform for the chicken to sit on. This helps prevent the chicken from sitting in its own juices.
- Place the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breast-side up in the slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear when pierced with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Rest: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.
- Serve: Carve the chicken and serve with your favorite sides.
Tips and Variations:
- Crispier Skin (Optional): For slightly crispier skin, you can broil the chicken for a few minutes after it’s cooked in the slow cooker. Carefully transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 5-10 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Vegetables: You can add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and celery to the bottom of the slow cooker for a complete meal