Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken

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Looking for a way to make the best rotisserie chicken at home? Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken is the only recipe you will ever need. Made simply with lemon juice and a flavorful combination of savory spices, this chicken dish is a guaranteed show-stopper.

668 CAL 4g CARBS 46g FAT 57g PROTEIN
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Few foods come in handy more than the trusty rotisserie chicken. A few years back, you could regularly find me at the poultry section of Costco or my local grocery store, trying desperately to find the best rotisserie chicken. The quality was hit-or-miss and I knew I could make a better version if I put my mind to it.

Since rotisserie chickens are a fan favorite in this house, I knew I needed to finally come up with my own recipe and stop buying mediocre chicken from the store. This Slow-Cooker Rotisserie Chicken recipe is juicy, tender, and dripping with tantalizing flavors.

This dish has quickly become my go-to for just about any dish I need some lean protein for. From soups and stews to pasta dishes and even wraps, this delicious chicken has a place in any dish. I season it with flavorful spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to guarantee delectable results.

One of the best things about this rotisserie chicken recipe is that you can alter it to suit your palate. In the mood for some heat? Add a dash of cayenne pepper. Looking for something rich and cozy? Rub the chicken with melted butter. Want to brighten up the dish? Garnish it with fresh parsley. The options are endless! Once you’ve tried this Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken, you’ll never go back to the store-bought ones.

Crockpot rotisserie chicken served in a white dish with slow cooker potatoes on the side.

Key Ingredients

To prepare this rotisserie chicken recipe, you’ll need the following key ingredients:

  • Whole chicken. This recipe calls for an entire chicken with the neck and giblets removed. Check first to make sure your chicken fits nicely in your slow-cooker without rubbing up against the lid.
  • Seasonings. I like to use a combination of chili powder, dried thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper as my spice rub. Feel free to mix and match the spices as you see fit.
  • Lemon. This serves a dual purpose for our chicken recipe. The juice of the lemon mixes with our spice rub to brighten up the dish and enhance the flavors, while the lemon itself is stuffed inside the chicken to tenderize it from the inside out.
  • Brown sugar. This one is optional, but a little sugar can go a long way in enhancing the wonderful flavors of this dish and achieving that stunning golden-brown exterior.

Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken Recipe Tips

Ready to make the best rotisserie chicken ever? Here are some of my top tips to help you make that happen:

  • Add some veggies. For added flavor and to make a full meal all at once, try adding some carrots, onions, and potatoes to the slow cooker. Set the chicken on top and continue the recipe as instructed.
  • Fresh vs frozen. I prefer to start with fresh chicken for the sake of ease, but frozen will work just fine. For best results, I recommend letting the chicken thaw in the fridge for 24-48 hours prior to cooking. Do not make this recipe with a frozen chicken that hasn't been thawed.
  • Switch up the spices. Play around with the seasoning to create the perfect spice rub for you. Already have one in mind? Go for it! Cajun, blackening, and Herbes de Provence all work great with this recipe. Other favorites include rosemary and garlic, jerk seasoning, and a classic poultry seasoning with sage. Also, you can add fresh lemon, whole garlic heads, and fresh herbs to the chicken cavity to boost the flavor.
  • To prevent the chicken from burning or sticking to the bottom of your crockpot you will want to make 3 to 5 balls of tin foil for the bottom. You can also use 3-5 small potatoes you can also wrap them in the tinfoil and place those in the bottom of the slow cooker. Then you have a side dish as well.

Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken

There are plenty of easy ways to transform rotisserie chicken into an unforgettable meal. You can serve it alongside potatoes, rice, or pasta, and some vegetables. You could also add it to tacos, burrito bowls, salads, and sandwiches. Really, the sky's the limit here. Rotisserie chicken can do it all!

Here are some of my favorite ways to use rotisserie chicken:

  • Soup. With the cold setting in, this pairing is one that guarantees to keep you cozy. Try adding your chicken to my Black Bean Soup or this Chicken Bean Soup for a super satisfying dish.
  • Slow-roasted vegetables. Adding some carrots, potatoes, celery, and onions to the cooker is the ultimate way to make an easy one-pot slow cooker meal. Sounds like comfort food to me! Oven roasted vegetables are also a tasty choice,
  • Tacos. An absolute treat during game nights; use my Baked Crispy Taco Shells as a base to create some mouth-watering tacos. Just add your chicken, along with black beans, pico de gallo, and fresh avocado. Yum! It also makes a delicious Rotisserie Chicken Taco Bowl.
  • Mashed veggies. Arguably one of the most beloved side dishes for chicken, mashed veggies hold a special place in my heart. They’re creamy, delectable, and perfect for scooping up with chicken. Try pairing this dish with my Roasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash or Butternut Squash Mash.

How to Store This Dish

This dish is honestly the gift that keeps giving. After preparing this healthy chicken recipe, you’re sure to be left with some delicious leftovers that you can enjoy throughout the week. Once the meat has cooled to room temperature, you can transfer it safely to an airtight storage bag or container. Then, store your leftover chicken in one of two ways:

  • In the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
  • In the freezer for up to 3-4 months.

Homemade rotisserie chicken cooked in the slow cooker with lemon, garlic, and spices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this slow-cooker chicken recipe:

This depends on the size of your chicken, the capacity of your slow-cooker, and whether you’re cooking the dish on high or low. For a 4-lb. chicken, I recommend cooking this dish on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours.

You can serve this dish with anything you like. When making this dish for dinner, I typically like to pair it with a vegetable and rice, potatoes, or pasta. If I’m making a quick and healthy lunch, I like to add it to a salad or wrap. Serve this chicken however you like!

You can reheat leftover cooked chicken in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven. My favorite reheating method is the stovetop, so I recommend heating your leftovers over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.

Once the chicken is fully cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and place it on a baking sheet covered in foil.  Turn the oven up to broil and broil the chicken for 3-5 minutes until the skin gets brown and crisp. Make sure to watch the chicken closely to make sure it doesn't burn.

Rotisserie chicken with potatoes served in a white dish with lemon, garlic, and parsley.
The Recipe
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Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken

668 CAL 4g CARBS 46g FAT 57g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 10 Min
COOK TIME: 8 Hours
TOTAL TIME: 8 Hours, 10 Min
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 4 lbs whole chicken (neck and giblets removed, 3-4 lbs)
  • 1 tbsp light brown sugar (optional)
  • 1/2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 lemon, juice

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Instructions

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1

Make 4-5 aluminum balls and place in the bottom of the slow cooker to create a rack for the chicken in the slow cooker. You can also wrap 4-5 medium potatoes in the tinfoil and place those in the bottom of the slow cooker for an easy side dish.

Potatoes being wrapped in foil.
2

Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Truss the chicken legs together for a better presentation and to hold the chicken together better. Mix together all of the spices with the lemon juice. Rub the spice rub all over the chicken.

Homemade spice mixture with lemon for rotisserie chicken.
3

Stuff the lemon into the chicken cavity and place the chicken on top of the aluminum foil balls or wrapped potatoes. Cover and cook for 4-5 hours on high (or 7-8 hours on low) until the juices run clear and chicken is cooked to 165 degrees. Exact cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken.

Slow cooker rotisserie chicken covered with lemon juice and spices.
4

Optional for crispy skin: Preheat the broiler and cover a baking sheet with foil. Place the chicken on the baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Broil until the skin is nice and crispy, be careful the skin doesn't burn.

Crockpot rotisserie chicken with lemon and spices being sprinkled with parsley.

Equipment

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Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: see note
Amount Per Serving
Calories 668
Calories from Fat 412
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 46g
70%
Saturated Fat 13g
65%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 227mg
76%
Sodium 617mg
27%
Total Carbohydrate 4g
2%
Dietary Fiber 0g
3%
Sugars 2g
Protein 57g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

Notes

The calorie count for this recipe varies depending on the part of the chicken and the size of the serving. The calories shown is the average across the entire chicken with the skin and any fat.
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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
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