Slow Cooker Roast Chicken with Vegetables Recipe
A hearty and comforting slow cooker roast chicken recipe featuring tender, fall-off-the-bone chicken with crispy skin, accompanied by caramelized root vegetables. This easy, hands-off meal is perfect for a wholesome family dinner.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking, Searing, Broiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken
- 1 whole chicken (preferably with skin on, about 4–5 lbs)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Vegetables
- 4 carrots (peeled and cut into chunks)
- 3 stalks celery (sliced)
- 1 onion (sliced into rings)
Liquids
- 1 cup chicken broth (or water)
- Season the Chicken: Rub the entire chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and dried thyme. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat and enhances the taste during cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on all sides until it is golden brown. This step adds a deeper flavor and renders the skin for a crispy texture later.
- Prepare the Vegetable Bed: Place the sliced onions, carrots, and celery at the bottom of the slow cooker. These vegetables will cook alongside the chicken, absorbing delicious juices.
- Add Chicken and Broth: Place the seared chicken on top of the vegetables, then pour the chicken broth over everything. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the chicken for added aroma and flavor.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for about 6 hours. The chicken will become tender and the vegetables soft and flavorful during this slow cooking process.
- Crisp the Skin: Carefully remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place it on a baking sheet. Broil in the oven for 3-4 minutes until the skin becomes crispy and golden brown.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Spoon the cooked vegetables and juices from the slow cooker into a serving dish. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Slice the roast chicken and arrange it on a platter with the caramelized vegetables. Pour some cooking juices over the top to enhance flavor.
- Enjoy Warm: Serve the dish hot for a comforting and satisfying meal with tender chicken and savory vegetables.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with water or vegetable broth if preferred.
- Searing the chicken is key to getting crispy skin and rich flavor.
- Adjust cooking time depending on your slow cooker; the chicken should be fully cooked and tender.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Optional: Add potatoes or parsnips for more vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, roast chicken, easy chicken recipe, chicken with vegetables, slow cooked meal