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Slow Cooker Whole Chicken with Vegetables and Homemade Gravy Recipe

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4 from 5 reviews

A comforting Slow Cooker Whole Chicken recipe featuring a perfectly seasoned bird cooked alongside hearty vegetables, resulting in tender meat and flavorful drippings. An optional broiling step crisps the skin to golden perfection, and the savory pan drippings are transformed into a rich, homemade gravy, making this dish a perfect hands-off meal for any occasion.

  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes (including prep)
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Whole Chicken and Seasoning

  • 3 lb. whole chicken, thawed
  • 3 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Vegetables

  • 6 ribs celery, chopped
  • 6 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 24 oz baby potatoes, halved
  • Fresh herbs, such as rosemary & thyme

For Gravy

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the whole chicken dry thoroughly with plenty of paper towels, making sure to remove any giblets from inside the cavity. Pat the interior cavity dry with paper towels as well to ensure crispness if broiling later.
  2. Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, salt, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir in the olive oil to create a seasoning paste. Rub this paste evenly all over the chicken skin, including inside the cavity. Set the chicken aside to let the flavors meld.
  3. Prepare the Vegetables: Place chopped celery, carrots, onion, and halved baby potatoes into the bottom of the slow cooker, creating a vegetable bed or nest for the chicken to rest on. Scatter fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme on top of the vegetables for aromatic flavor.
  4. Cook the Chicken: Position the whole seasoned chicken breast-side up on top of the vegetable bed in the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker tightly with its lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the internal temperature of the chicken breast reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Optional Crispy Skin: To achieve a crispy skin, carefully remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the chicken. Place the baking sheet about 10 inches below your oven’s broiler and broil for 3 to 5 minutes or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  6. Prepare the Gravy: Using a slotted spoon, remove the vegetables, potatoes, and herbs from the slow cooker and set them aside on a serving platter. Strain the remaining liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a fat separator to remove excess fat.
  7. Make the Roux: In a small pot over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour until smooth and lightly golden, creating a roux to thicken the gravy.
  8. Finish the Gravy: Gradually whisk in 1 ¼ cups of the defatted chicken drippings from the fat separator. Stir continuously until the gravy is smooth and thickened. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve warm alongside the chicken and vegetables.

Notes

  • Ensure the chicken is fully thawed before cooking to guarantee even cooking inside the slow cooker.
  • Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker model; use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
  • For enhanced flavor, let the seasoned chicken rest for 15-30 minutes before cooking, if time permits.
  • The optional broiling step is essential for a crispy skin but can be skipped if you prefer soft skin or want a purely slow-cooked meal.
  • Use a fat separator to remove excess grease from drippings for a cleaner, richer gravy.
  • Leftover chicken, vegetables, and gravy can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours on LOW or 4 to 5 hours on HIGH
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/slow-cooker-whole-chicken-with-vegetables-and-homemade-gravy-recipe/