The Best Whole Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Here is another great recipe from my new favorite cook book!  This chicken is SO flavorful and so tender and juicy, it just falls right off the bone!  Which makes it easy to use the bones for home made chicken stock, made right in the slow cooker!  Plan to make the chicken, then use the crock pot with all of the bones and drippings for the chicken stock!  You won't be disappointed with this one!  Perfect for a Sunday dinner or for a holiday if you are tired of turkey!

Enjoy!
Kirsten

PS: The recipe comes from 100 Days of Real Food, by Lisa Leake.

THE BEST WHOLE CHICKEN IN THE SLOW COOKER

2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 onion, peeled and cut into large pieces
1 large whole chicken (about 4 pounds)

1)  Combine all the spices in a small bowl and set aside.

2)  Place the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker.

3)  Remove any giblets from the chicken (or leave them if you wish, but be sure to remove any plastic or paper bags), then rub the spice mixture all over the outside of the chicken.  You can even put some of the spices inside the cavity and under the skin covering the breasts.

4) Put the chicken breast-side down on top of the onions and cover the slow cooker.  There no need to add any liquid.

5)  Cook on high for about 4 hours or on low for 7 hours, or until the chicken is falling off the bone.  Remove the edible chicken pieces from the slow cooker and serve.

NOTES:

~I recommend buying a natural, organic whole chicken.  They are expensive, but worth it, in my opinion.

~Don't forget to save the leftover bones and cooking juices to make homemade chicken stock when you're done!