I am convinced that buying a whole chicken is one of the best values for your grocery budget. I regularly see whole chickens on sale at various grocery stores for under a dollar a pound. Take the work out of dinner prep by cooking your whole chicken in a crock pot.

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot at The Happy Housewife

The problem with whole chickens is that no one wants to touch them, or mess with them until they are cooked. I was like that too, but then I realized how much money I could save buying whole chickens instead of pre-packed parts and I quickly got over my “whole uncooked chickens give me the heebie jeebies” thing.

Update: If you have a minute, read through the comments, my readers have added some awesome tips and ideas for cooking whole chickens. I have also posted a whole chicken in a crock pot video tutorial for those who are interested.

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot

First unwrap the chicken, remove the bag of innards from the cavity, and give the chicken a quick rinse. (Read the comments for ideas on what to do with the innards from the chicken). If you are exceptionally grossed out by this step wear gloves.

After rinsing the chicken place in a crock pot that has been sprayed with non-stick.

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot at The Happy Housewife

You do not need to put any liquid in the pot, just the chicken.

Then sprinkle your favorite spices on the chicken. I usually sprinkle garlic and paprika.

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot at The Happy Housewife

Place the lid on the crock pot. I always start raw meat on high, then reduce the temperature to low after two hours. Depending on the size of your chicken, 6-8 hours later you will have a beautiful cooked chicken ready to serve for dinner.

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot at The Happy Housewife

Remove the chicken from the crock pot. (Remember do not throw away the broth in the crock pot)

Once you have removed all the meat from the bones, put the bones back in the crock pot and add four to five cups of water. I also put the skin back in the crock pot since my kids won’t eat it.

If you do not want to serve the chicken for dinner, allow the chicken to cool and then remove the meat from the bones. You can use the meat like you would any other cooked chicken, in casseroles, chicken salad, chicken pot pie, pastas, etc. You won’t believe how easy it is to cook a whole chicken in the crock pot.

How to make chicken broth

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot at The Happy Housewife

Set the slow cooker on the low setting and cover. Let it cook overnight. In the morning you will have a crock pot full of bones and chicken broth, and your house will smell like Boston Market for the next day or two.

Strain out the bones and you have homemade chicken broth for free!

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot at The Happy Housewife

Not only is it free, it is free from all the preservatives, salt, and other junk you find in some of the store bought chicken broth. I store my broth in large yogurt containers.

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot at The Happy Housewife

I got about 50 ounces of broth from one chicken. After you put the broth in a container, place in the fridge to cool. When the broth has cooled a layer of fat will be on the top.

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot at The Happy HousewifeWhole_Chicken_in_Slow_Cooker_Fat

Scrape the fat off with a spoon and the broth is ready to be used or can be stored for up to six months in the freezer. Don’t throw away the fat, it can be used in other recipes. Also, see How to Reheat Chicken Broth.

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot Meal Ideas

Meal #1 (served 7): Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Veggies
Biscuits

Meal #2 (served 7): Chicken and Rice Casserole

Chicken (use leftover chicken)
Rice
Cream of Chicken Soup
Veggies (I used chopped broccoli and carrots)
Spices
Cheddar Cheese

Cook rice according to the directions. Chop leftover chicken, and veggies. Mix with cream soup and add spices. (I used garlic, minced onion, and red pepper flakes). Combine the cooked rice with the chicken mixture. Spread in a 9×13 casserole dish, sprayed with nonstick. Bake covered for 15 minutes at 350 degrees, then uncover, top with cheese and bake until the cheese melts.

Tip: If you want to use brown rice for this recipe, replace half the water with your chicken broth. Even your pickiest eaters will love it.

By purchasing one chicken I was able to make two meals and get about $3 worth of chicken broth from a $4 chicken.