Description
A comforting and easy slow cooker recipe that lets you prepare a whole chicken with vegetables and boxed stuffing all in one pot. This healthy, hands-free meal delivers tender, juicy chicken infused with buttery, seasoned flavors, complemented by flavorful, fluffy stuffing, perfect for a wholesome family dinner.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 large carrots, diced into 1/2″ pieces
- 1 small yellow onion, diced into 1/2″ pieces
- 2 ribs celery, diced into 1/2″ pieces
Main
- 5 pound whole chicken, cleaned out inside
Seasoning & Butter
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Stuffing
- 6 ounces boxed stuffing (any flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Add the diced carrots, onion, and celery to the basin of a 6-quart slow cooker, creating a bed for the chicken to sit on.
- Place Chicken: Clean out the inside of the 5-pound whole chicken by removing any extra parts, then place the chicken on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Season and Butter: Melt the ½ cup salted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Stir in 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Pour this mixture over the chicken, rubbing it thoroughly to coat the entire bird.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Rest Chicken: Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a platter. Tent loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm.
- Prepare Stuffing: Remove all but 1.5 cups of cooking liquid from the slow cooker, leaving the vegetables behind. Add the 6 ounces of boxed stuffing to the slow cooker and stir well. Cover and let it cook for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors, then fluff with a fork.
- Serve: For serving, either add the cooked chicken back into the slow cooker or slice it on a platter. Serve the stuffing alongside or from the slow cooker bowl.
Notes
- The excess cooking liquid left in the slow cooker can be used to make a delicious homemade gravy.
- Cooking on LOW is recommended for best tenderness, but HIGH setting works if short on time.
- You can use any favorite brand or flavor of boxed stuffing for this recipe.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For crispier skin, remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and broil it in a roasting pan for a few minutes.
- Slow cooker temperatures vary, so adjust cooking times accordingly based on your model and always use a meat thermometer.
