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Looking for an easy and delicious way to serve a juicy and flavorful whole chicken? Try this Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe! With minimal ingredients and just a few hours in the slow cooker, you’ll have a tender and flavorful meal that everyone will love.
1. Gather Ingredients
Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Whole Chicken? Prepare these ingredients:
- One whole chicken
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon pepper
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Butter
- One lemon
- Garlic cloves
- Chicken bouillon cubes
Plus, add any extra seasoning you love!
Whole chicken
Options abound when choosing whole chickens. Slow cooked dishes, like lemon herb chicken, are best with a roasting chicken. These birds are 4-5 pounds and more mature than fryers—used for fried chicken. Roasting chickens offer more flavor and texture. Plus, their thicker skin yields crispier finished dishes.
Opt for organic free-range for the best flavor and taste. It’s worth the extra cost!
Lemons
Lemons impart a bright, tasty flavor to cooking. Select smaller, more intense lemons, since they are higher in acidity and will give off more flavor. The citric acid in lemon juice breaks down proteins and tenderizes chicken, while keeping it moist.
This recipe requires one lemon for each bird, plus an extra lemon cut into wedges for garnish. Add the juice to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. The lemons can also be used for garnish or squeezed over each serving for added flavor.
Garlic
Garlic is a must-have for Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Whole Chicken! Its flavor and aroma give the dish a yummy and juicy taste. It’s minced fresh, giving it a strong and earthy flavor. Plus, it seasons and tenderizes the meat while cooking in the slow cooker. Nutritious too – garlic provides Vitamin C, selenium and manganese.
Fresh herbs
Herbs give dishes a unique flavor! Store them in the fridge before using. Cooking with herbs is so enjoyable – feel the aroma! Make sure to use them regularly.
For this slow cooker chicken, you need fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage. You can buy them pre-bundled or grow them yourself! Chop the herbs finely. This way, everyone gets an even flavor with each bite!
Salt and pepper
Salt and pepper are a must in many recipes, including Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Whole Chicken. Get the balance and texture right and these two ingredients will bring out the natural flavours! For this dish, sea salt and freshly ground pepper should be sprinkled evenly over the bird. Amount? According to preference, but a teaspoon of each should do. Taste, adjust and enjoy the best flavour!
2. Preparing the Chicken
Prepping the chicken is essential.
- Rinse it,
- pat it dry,
- then season with salt and pepper.
For extra flavour, top with herbs and lemon slices. All these steps will make this dish spectacular!
Rinse the chicken
To make Lemon Herb Slow Cooker Whole Chicken, start by rinsing it under cold running water. Do this inside and out. Then pat it dry with paper towels and place it on a plate or cutting board.
Season the inside of the chicken with salt and pepper. Put lemon wedges, rosemary, thyme and onions in the cavity. Tie it closed with kitchen twine. Trussing isn’t necessary since slow cooker lids keep moisture in, but it can help keep the shape.
Pat dry with a paper towel
Before prepping your lemon herb slow cooker whole chicken, it’s important to make sure it’s dry. Place it on a plate or cutting board. Use a paper towel to pat down and dry the surface of the chicken. This will help the seasoning and herbs stick evenly. It’s essential for a delicious taste when it’s finished cooking.
Place the chicken in the slow cooker
Grab a whole chicken and pat it down with a paper towel. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper. A 4-6 lb chicken is ideal for this recipe. If you have a smaller slow cooker, scale down the ingredients.
For extra flavor, stuff four garlic cloves and two sprigs of thyme/rosemary into the cavity. If desired, add some quartered lemons or oranges. Put the lid on and set the slow cooker to low heat for 6-8 hours.
3. Preparing the Lemon Herb Marinade
Ready to make a tasty Slow Cooker Whole Chicken? Start by prepping the Lemon Herb Marinade! Combine garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, rosemary, thyme, and sage. These ingredients will give the chicken flavor as it cooks. Let’s get cooking!
Squeeze the juice of the lemons
Squeeze the juice of 3 lemons. Get all the juice you can. It’s the flavor and acidity that will tenderize the slow cooker chicken.
Put the lemon juice in a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Stir it all together.
Mince the garlic
Before starting to marinate the chicken, check that you have all the ingredients. The marinade is ready in just 10 minutes – ideal for a quick dinner!
Mince four cloves of garlic – or adjust the amount to your liking. If you don’t like intense garlic, use two cloves and add other seasonings like onion powder, thyme or dried parsley. Or, substitute a minced shallot if desired. Put the garlic in a large bowl, along with freshly squeezed juice from one large or two smaller lemons. Make a note of how much juice you used if your lemons are very sour, so others can adjust according to their tastes.
Finely chop the herbs
Finely chop herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage. This will help release their oils and aromas into the marinade. Plus, these herbs are tough enough to withstand long cooking times.
Mix the herbs with lemon juice or vinegar – your choice of tart or tangy. Then, add garlic, olive oil, honey, or white wine for a balanced flavor. Stir everything together until combined.
Pour the marinade over the chicken pieces. Then, cover them in plastic wrap to let the flavors infuse. This will ensure that your lemon herb slow cooker whole chicken tastes amazing!
Combine the ingredients
Take a bowl. Put garlic and zest in it. Then, pour olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk until mixed. Taste for seasoning and add if needed. The marinade is ready. Put it in a plastic bag or container. Add chicken. Marinate for 30 minutes to a night at room temp or in the fridge.
Cooking time!
4. Cooking the Chicken
Slow cook a whole chicken? Yes! Simple and juicy. Here’s the recipe. Follow it and you’ll get a tasty lemon herb chicken. The slow cooker does its job – cooks the chicken nicely and keeps it juicy. Plus, the herbs and lemon give it a nice flavor. Perfect for any busy weeknight. The whole family will enjoy this lemon herb slow cooker chicken recipe.
Rub the marinade over the chicken
Start by rinsing a chicken, 3 ½ to 4 pounds, in cold water. After drying with paper towels, put it in a slow cooker.
In a bowl, mix 1 tsp each of oregano and thyme, 1tbsp of garlic powder, 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp of sea salt and pepper. Add lemon juice from 2 halved lemons. Mix until even. Rub the marinade over the chicken until it’s all covered.
Put the 2 lemon halves in the slow cooker on either side of the chicken. Cover and switch to low heat. Cook for 4-6 hours or until the meat is cooked through. Check the internal temperature to make sure the white meat is 165°F and the dark meat is 175°F.
Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker with a spoon, fork or tongs. Serve with fresh lemon wedges if desired. Enjoy!
Cover the slow cooker and cook for 6-8 hours
Season the chicken, then add it to the slow cooker. Pour in 4 cups of liquid such as chicken stock, white wine, or low-sodium broth. Make sure the liquid almost reaches the top of the chicken. Put the lid on the slow cooker, switch it to Low heat. Cook for 6-8 hours, checking for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees F when done.
Take the chicken out of the slow cooker and let it sit for 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Remove the chicken and let it rest for 10 minutes
Once the chicken has cooked, and reached an internal temp of 165 F, remove it from the slow cooker. Place it on a cutting board or baking dish. Let it rest for 10 minutes. This will make the bird moist and delicious. It allows the juices to be reabsorbed back into the meat. Yum!
5. Serving the Chicken
Tasty slow-cooked lemon herb whole chicken is a great way to add zest to your dinner! But how do you make it delicious? Serving it right can give you the best taste. Here are some tips on how to serve your slow cooked lemon herb whole chicken. Yum! Enjoy the amazing flavors!
- Make sure the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear.
- Serve the chicken with a side of roasted vegetables.
- Garnish the dish with fresh herbs and lemon slices.
- Add a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt to finish.
Carve the chicken
Take your cooked chicken off the slow cooker and place it on a carving board. Slice or cut it with a sharp knife, so each person gets an equal portion. Cut across the grain of the muscle fibers. This creates juicy slices. Horizontal slicing strokes work best. Get all of the juices from inside the carcass. These are packed with flavor and nutrition.
Serve with herbs, lemon wedges and your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!
Serve with your favorite sides
Tantalize the taste buds! The cooked lemon herb slow cooker whole chicken is a delectable centerpiece. To enhance the flavors, serve it with sides that’ll complement the flavor profile.
Mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, mac and cheese – classic dishes. Or try something different –
- roasted cauliflower with oregano and garlic,
- garlicky quinoa with lime,
- sauteed green beans with almonds,
- roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar,
- or herbed brown rice.
Yum!
For a full meal, add salads like kale Waldorf salad or artichoke Panzanella. Serve family-style to encourage conversation and make it a fun atmosphere.
For more Chicken Recipes like this, check out 12 Chicken Recipes For All Occasions Yet Quick and Easy for more ideas!
