This chicken turned out so well it should be proud — and your family will be too. 🙂
I love cooking and creating meals my family will remember. I want dinner to be a time when everyone sits down together and enjoys good food, even on busy weeknights. But real life often gets in the way — kids chasing the dog, backpacks everywhere, and schedules that fill up fast.
Today’s parents need meals that are healthy, tasty, budget-friendly, and quick to prepare. The good news: with a little prep and a reliable slow cooker, it’s completely possible.
Right now our schedule is fairly manageable: my oldest plays soccer, the younger kids pretend they have practice, and I’m planning ahead for when things get busier. Crockpot dinners make that balancing act much easier. Throw a seasoned bird into the slow cooker in the morning, come home to a fragrant kitchen, and enjoy a wholesome dinner together. Everyone should have a crockpot.
Rubbed Down, Slow Cooked Chicken
Ingredients
- Whole chicken
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp sugar
- Optional: any other favorite spices
Instructions
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Remove the giblets and any packaging from inside the chicken cavity and pat the bird dry.
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Combine the seasoned salt, pepper, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, sugar, and any optional spices in a bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste.
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Rub the spice mixture all over the outside of the chicken. For more flavor, gently lift the skin over the breast and rub some seasoning directly underneath.
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Place the chicken in the crockpot, cover, and cook on high for 4–5 hours or on low for about 8 hours. Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 170°F (77°C).
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I prefer the high setting for 4–5 hours: the meat stays moist, slices easily, and doesn’t fall apart. The result is similar to a rotisserie chicken, but even better.
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Cooking on low is fine, but the longer gentle heat can make the chicken more likely to fall apart—handy if you want shredded chicken for sandwiches or tacos.
