There’s something incredibly satisfying about coming home to the aroma of a home cooked meal, especially when it’s as simple and delicious as Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Herbs. To finish the dish, add a couple of boxes of store-bought stuffing mix with the remaining juices and cooked vegetables. This recipe is perfect for those busy days when you want dinner ready with minimal effort, and it delivers flavor the entire family will love.

Why Make a Whole Chicken in the Slow Cooker?

Cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker not only saves time, but also ensures you end up with perfectly tender, juicy meat packed with flavor. The best part? You just set it, forget it, and go about your day!

Juicy roasted chicken with crispy skin garnished with herbs, served with fresh carrots and herbs for a flavorful homemade dish.

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: Low for 7-8 hours or High for 4-5 hours

Ingredients:

2 carrots, diced or sliced
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 celery ribs, diced or sliced
4-5 lb. whole chicken
½ cup salted butter, melted
1 sprig of fresh rosemary & thyme each
2-3 leaves of fresh sage
½-¾ tsp paprika (This helps the chicken develop more color since it doesn’t get crispy in the slow cooker.)
salt & pepper to taste
Optional: Two boxes of store-bought 6-ounce stuffing mix.

Whole raw chicken and a white plate on top of a pink and gold and green hand towel a jar of paprika, a stick of butter, herbs, bun, bundle together, sage, Rosemary and thyme together on a brown cutting board, sliced carrots, diced onions, and sliced celery all in a cutting board in the sunlight on the counter.

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-by-Step Directions:

Step 1: Remove the outside packaging and anything from inside the chicken. Arrange the carrots, onion, and celery in the slow cooker, then place the chicken on top.

Diced carrots, celery, and onions in a slow cooker for easy meal preparation. Fresh chopped vegetables ready for cooking in a white crockpot, ideal for making homemade soups, stews, or slow cooker recipes.

Step 2: Pour the melted butter over the chicken, then sprinkle with paprika, salt, and pepper if desired. Lay the fresh herbs on top of the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Once done, discard the herb sprigs and sage leaves, transfer the chicken to a platter, and serve with one of our delicious side dishes.

Fresh chicken being seasoned with spices in a white bowl, with lemon juice being poured on top for flavoring.

Fresh raw chicken with herbs in a white cooking dish, prepared for baking or roasting, showcasing ingredients for easy homemade meal recipes.

Optional Step: In the slow cooker, combine two boxes of store-bought 6-ounce stuffing mix with the remaining juices and cooked vegetables. Stir the mixture well, then allow it to stand for 5 minutes. Fluff the stuffing with a fork before serving.

Juicy roasted chicken with crispy skin in a baking dish topped with herbs and seasoning, served with fresh rosemary garnish for a delicious home-cooked meal.

Tips:

Substitute 1 tsp each of dried thyme, rosemary, and sage for fresh herbs. Use oregano if you lack sage.
Use frozen diced onions in this recipe to save time on prep—no peeling or chopping needed! Just measure out the amount you need and add it straight to the slow cooker.
In the slow cooker, combine two boxes of store-bought 6-ounce stuffing mix with the remaining juices and cooked vegetables. Stir the mixture well, then allow it to stand for 5 minutes. Fluff the stuffing with a fork before serving.

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Herbs: A Cozy Family Favorite

This recipe is perfect for those busy days when you want dinner ready with minimal effort, and it delivers flavor the entire family will love.

Tara

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 15

Servings

Equipment

slow cooker/crock pot

Ingredients

2 carrots (sliced or diced)
1 small yellow onion (diced)
2 celery ribs (sliced or diced)
4-5 lb. whole chicken
½-¾ cup salted butter (melted)
1 sprig of fresh rosemary & thyme of each
2-3 leaves of fresh sage
½ tsp paprika (This helps the chicken develop more color since it doesn’t get crispy in the slow cooker.)
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Remove the outer packaging and any contents from inside the chicken. Arrange the carrots, onion, and celery in the slow cooker, then place the chicken on top.
Pour the melted butter over the chicken, then sprinkle with paprika, salt, and pepper if desired. Lay the fresh herbs on top of the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Once done, discard the herb sprigs and sage leaves, transfer the chicken to a platter, and serve with one of our delicious side dishes.
Optional Step: In the slow cooker, combine two boxes of store-bought 6-ounce stuffing mix with the remaining juices and cooked vegetables. Stir the mixture well, then allow it to stand for 5 minutes. Fluff the stuffing with a fork before serving.