Carnivore Crockpot Whole Chicken

This carnivore crockpot whole chicken is an easy way to prepare a tender, juicy chicken with very little hands-on work. Coated in butter or beef tallow and seasoned simply, the chicken slowly cooks until the meat is flavorful and easily pulls away from the bone.

It is an excellent recipe for busy days when you want a rotisserie-style chicken waiting for you at dinnertime without needing to watch the oven.

A quick trip under the broiler gives the chicken a more golden, crisp exterior similar to a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Best of all, you get to control exactly what goes into the seasoning mixture.

This slow cooker whole chicken is also perfect for meal planning. Serve it as your main meal the first night, and then shred the remaining chicken to use in several carnivore lunches and dinners throughout the week.

Be sure to also visit our complete collection of carnivore chicken recipes for more easy meal ideas.

Why You'll Love This Carnivore Crockpot Chicken

There is a lot to love about a recipe that requires only a few minutes of preparation before the slow cooker takes over.

• Uses a short list of simple ingredients
• Requires very little hands-on preparation
• Makes tender, juicy chicken every time
• Does not require added broth or water
• Can be seasoned for strict carnivore or ketovore eating
• Works well for weekly meal planning
• Provides shredded chicken for other carnivore recipes
• Can be broiled for rotisserie-style skin

It is one of those dependable recipes that makes following a carnivore or very low-carb plan much easier during a busy week.

A Homemade Carnivore Rotisserie-Style Chicken

A store-bought rotisserie chicken can certainly be convenient, but the ingredient lists and seasonings can vary considerably from one store to another.

Making a whole chicken at home gives you complete control over the fat and seasonings used. Unfortunately, some supermarket rotisserie chicken are rubbed with seed oil before baking and there is really no way of knowing so.

You can keep the recipe as simple as chicken, salt, and beef tallow, or add a few optional spices if they fit your approach.

The slow cooker will not naturally produce the same crisp skin as an oven or commercial rotisserie. However, placing the cooked chicken under the broiler for a few minutes gives the exterior a more golden, rotisserie-style finish.

You get the convenience of slow cooking with the appearance and flavor of a roasted chicken.

Is This Crockpot Chicken Strict Carnivore?

This recipe can easily be adjusted for either a strict carnivore diet or a more flexible carnivore or ketovore plan.

For a strict carnivore version, use only:

• Whole chicken
• Beef tallow or butter, if dairy is tolerated
• Salt

Black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder are optional. Include them according to your personal dietary goals and tolerance.

Beef tallow is a great dairy-free choice and adds savory flavor to the chicken. Butter gives the chicken a rich flavor and helps the seasoning adhere to the skin.

Ingredients Needed

The following are the ingredients you'll need for this carnivore crockpot recipe. Note that the full printable recipe card is at the bottom of the page.

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• Whole chicken
• Melted butter or beef tallow
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Smoked paprika, optional
• Onion powder, optional
• Garlic powder, optional

A chicken that fits comfortably inside your crockpot works best. The lid should close completely without resting against the chicken.

For reference I used an 8-quart slow cooker and my whole chicken was approximately five pounds.

How To Make Carnivore Crockpot Whole Chicken

Begin by removing the chicken from its packaging and taking out any giblets from the cavity. There is no need to wash the raw chicken. Pat the inside and outside thoroughly dry with paper towels.

Rub the melted butter or tallow over the entire chicken. Combine the salt, black pepper, and any optional spices you are using in a small bowl. Rub the seasoning mixture over the outside of the chicken and inside the cavity.

Place a small stainless steel rack or slow cooker trivet in the bottom of the crockpot. If you do not have a rack, you can use several tightly rolled balls of aluminum foil to elevate the chicken.

Place the chicken breast-side up on the rack. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for approximately six hours or on high for approximately four hours.

Avoid repeatedly lifting the lid because releasing the trapped heat can increase the cooking time.

Once the chicken has cooked, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. The chicken is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Carefully transfer the chicken to a serving platter and let it rest for about 10 minutes before carving or shredding.

Why Use a Rack in the Slow Cooker?

A whole chicken releases a considerable amount of natural liquid as it cooks. Keeping the chicken elevated prevents it from sitting directly in that liquid.

The slow cooker rack also makes it easier for the chicken to hold its shape. Slow-cooked chicken becomes very tender and can begin falling apart when lifted from the crockpot.

Although the rack is recommended, you can make a temporary one by tightly rolling several pieces of aluminum foil into balls and placing them across the bottom of the slow cooker.

In my keto whole crockpot chicken I added carrots, onions and celery to the bottom of the pot but in a carnivore recipe you would not want to do so.

Do You Need To Add Water or Broth?

There is no need to add water, broth, or stock to this recipe.

The whole chicken releases enough natural juices during the slow-cooking process to keep the meat tender and juicy. Adding extra liquid may leave the bottom of the chicken sitting in more moisture than necessary.

Do not discard the flavorful liquid left in the crockpot. Strain it and use it to make carnivore gravy, chicken broth, soup, or another meal.

You can also refrigerate the liquid until the fat solidifies on top, making it easy to separate or use according to your preference.

How To Make the Chicken Skin Crispy

The skin of a slow cooker chicken will be soft rather than crisp. This is normal because the covered crockpot traps steam and moisture.

For crispier, rotisserie-style skin, carefully transfer the cooked chicken to a rimmed baking sheet or oven-safe baking dish. Place it under the broiler for approximately three to five minutes, watching it closely the entire time.

The skin can brown quickly, especially when it has been coated with butter or tallow.

Remove the chicken from the oven as soon as the skin becomes golden and crisp. Let it rest before carving.

Tools You'll Need To Make Chicken In A Crockpot

• 8-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 

Carnivore Recipes To Make With Shredded Chicken

The leftover meat from this crockpot whole chicken can become the starting point for several other carnivore Fit To Serve Group recipes.

Carnivore Crack Chicken

Use the shredded chicken to make our popular Carnivore Crack Chicken with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon. Starting with cooked chicken considerably reduces the preparation time.

Carnivore Chicken Chili

Our Carnivore Chicken Chili is a creamy, filling meal made with shredded chicken, broth, cream cheese, heavy cream, and melted cheese. Leftover rotisserie-style chicken allows you to bring this meal together quickly.

Carnivore Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Layer the shredded chicken with ham, Swiss cheese, a creamy cheese sauce, and a pork rind topping to make our Carnivore Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. It is a great option when you need a family-sized meal or make-ahead dinner.

Carnivore Creamy Chicken Soup

Cooked shredded chicken can also be used to shorten the preparation of our Carnivore Creamy Chicken Soup. Add the cooked chicken after the broth has heated, then proceed with the cream cheese, heavy cream, and cheddar.

With a little planning, one whole chicken can provide the foundation for several completely different meals.

Tips For the Best Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

• Use a fully thawed chicken so that it cooks evenly and safely.
• Pat the chicken dry so the butter, tallow, and seasonings adhere properly.
• Choose a chicken that fits comfortably inside the 8-quart crockpot with the lid fully closed.
• Elevate the chicken above the released cooking liquid.
• Keep the lid closed during cooking whenever possible.
• Check the chicken with a meat thermometer rather than relying only on the cooking time.
• Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone.
• Handle the cooked chicken carefully because the meat will be very tender.
• Broil the chicken briefly if you want crispier skin.
• Reserve the cooking juices and bones for broth, gravy, or soup.

For easier removal, you can tie the drumsticks together with kitchen twine before placing the chicken in the slow cooker. This helps the chicken hold its shape and may make it easier to lift out once it is fully cooked and very tender.

I have made this recipe both with the drumsticks tied and left untied, and both methods have worked successfully.

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