Keto Whole Crockpot Chicken

This keto whole crockpot chicken recipe produces the tenderest, most flavorful, juiciest chicken with minimal effort. 

It’s an easy slow cooker whole chicken recipe that practically cooks itself. Perfect for busy weeknights, or lazy weekends. It’s guaranteed to become a family favorite, so be sure to add it to your weekly meal prep. 

The chicken is fall-apart tender when cooked in a slow cooker. This is because it is basically steamed cooked. You’ll get moist chicken every time if you cook your whole chicken this way.

Be sure to check out our entire collection of keto chicken recipes, for more delicious options.

Keto Whole Crockpot Chicken

This recipe is a keto-friendly rotisserie-style chicken that is made in a slow cooker. It takes only minutes to prepare. 

I place at the bottom of the slow cooker the large pieces of carrots and onions that serve to infuse the chicken with more flavor and to keep it from sitting in too much liquid.

Cooking a whole chicken in a slow cooker is a great way to make shredded chicken. This is because the chicken falls off the bone once fully cooked.

By cooking the chicken whole and then shredding it once it cools, you can prepare different meals quickly.

You can separate the chicken breasts from the dark meat and even store them separately in the freezer in an airtight container for easy access. 

Ingredients Needed To Make A Whole Keto Chicken In A Slow Cooker

The following are the ingredients you’ll need for this low-carb crockpot easy recipe. Note that the full printable recipe card is at the bottom of the page.

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• One whole chicken
• Olive oil
• Salt-free Italian seasoning
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper
• Cumin powder
• Salt
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• A couple of carrots cut into 4-inch pieces to be added to the bottom of the crockpot
• Onion, cut into quarters

Instructions For Cooking A Whole Chicken In A Crockpot

To make this easy dinner, you’ll start by rinsing and patting dry the whole chicken.

Then, in a small bowl, combine all the dry herbs and seasonings for a dry rub the entire family will enjoy.

Next, rub the entire chicken with the seasonings, being sure to also season inside the cavity of the chicken.

Add the carrot and onion pieces to the bottom of the crockpot.

Alternatively, you can choose to add balls of aluminum foil instead of the carrots and onions to keep the chicken from touching the bottom of the crockpot. It’s a great alternative.

Then, you’ll place the chicken on top of the carrots and onions, or foil balls, and turn on the slow cooker for 6 hours on the low setting, or for 4 hours if you’re setting the crockpot to high.

After the chicken has cooked for the allotted time, check with an instant-read thermometer if the chicken is done. It’s an easy way to ensure the chicken is cooked properly.

Place the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken thigh. It should register at 160 degrees F when ready.

Cooking a whole chicken in a crockpot is as easy as it gets. You’ll be able to make a quick meal in no time, even if it’s your first time cooking chicken this way.

After you rub the chicken with the seasonings, you’ll place it on top of the veggies to cook. 

It’s important not to disturb the chicken as it cooks and that you do not take the lid off since this could skew the cooking time. 

Remove the chicken using two large metal spatulas to ensure the chicken stays whole when removing it from the slow cooker.

If you’re wanting a crispy skin on your chicken, like a store-bought rotisserie chicken, you can place the whole bird on a baking sheet and put it under the broiler for a few minutes, or until the skin crisps up.

Do You Need To Place Water/Liquid In Crockpot With Chicken?

When cooking chicken in a crockpot, there is absolutely no need to add any form of liquid to the pot.

The slow process of cooking in a crockpot naturally releases the chicken juices without the need to add any form of liquid. 

How Do You Know If A Slow Cooker Chicken Is Done?

After the chicken has cooked for the allotted time, check with an instant-read thermometer if the chicken is done.

Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken thigh. It should register for 160 degrees F when ready.

Why Does Chicken Fall Apart In A Slow Cooker?

The chicken is fall-apart tender when cooked in a slow cooker because the connective tissue of the chicken is being turned into gelatin. 

The wet environment that the chicken is cooked in as it releases its juices when cooked at low temperatures causes the collagen to dissolve and make the chicken tender.

When a chicken is cooked in a crockpot, it is basically braised and cooked in its own liquid. When a chicken is roasted in an oven, the environment is hot and dry.

That is why the meat cooks faster in an oven but very little gelatin breakdown occurs.

If you are not wanting the chicken to fall apart when cooked in a slow cooker, just reduce the cooking time and check for doneness sooner.

It’s possible the chicken will not register 160 degrees F if you reduce the cooking time by 60 minutes.

The chicken will be more intact, and you can finish the bird by roasting it in the oven for 30 minutes or until it reaches 160 degrees F.

Tools You’ll Need To Make Chicken In A Crockpot

• 6-quart Manual Crockpot or a Programmable Slow Cooker
• Two large metal spatulas for lifting the chicken easily out of the crockpot.
• Instant read digital thermometer 

Best Sides To Serve Keto Crockpot Whole Chicken

Wondering what to serve with your low-carb keto meal?

How about some mashed cauliflower or a serving of keto green beans almondine?

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Also, check out our Amazon Store for our recommendations. You might be surprised by how many great keto options are at your disposal.

More Keto Whole Chicken Recipes

Cooking a whole keto chicken makes for a delicious and easy meal. It’s perfect since you can make these ahead and have plenty of leftovers.

Keto Cuban Mojo Chicken

Easy Keto Spicy Mustard Spatchcock Chicken

Keto Sumac Harissa Chicken

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