Description
Succulent crockpot whole chicken with stuffing brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dinner table. Herb-infused poultry nestled with savory bread cubes creates a hearty meal that will satisfy hunger and warm souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 whole chicken (4.5 lbs / 2 kg)
Herbs and Spices:
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1.5 teaspoons thyme
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 0.5 tablespoon brown sugar
- 0.33 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Vegetables and Stuffing:
- 2 medium onions, quartered
- 3 stalks celery (with leafy stalks for the cavity)
- 2 small carrots, chopped
- 1 package seasoned stuffing mix (6 ounces / 170 grams)
- 0.5–1 cup chicken broth from cooked chicken
- 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Blend aromatic spices including salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, cayenne, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl to create a robust seasoning blend.
- Thoroughly pat the chicken dry using paper towels, then massage the spice mixture comprehensively across the entire chicken surface, ensuring complete coverage inside the cavity.
- Arrange a colorful medley of chopped onions, celery (with leafy stalks intact), and carrots as a flavorful foundation in the crockpot.
- Delicately tuck remaining celery stalks and fresh parsley sprigs inside the chicken cavity to enhance internal flavor profile.
- Gently position the seasoned chicken atop the vegetable base in the crockpot, ensuring stable placement.
- Evenly distribute prepared stuffing mix over the chicken, then carefully pour chicken broth to moisten the stuffing thoroughly.
- Secure the crockpot lid and slow cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours, monitoring until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and stuffing becomes completely cooked.
- After cooking, carefully transfer chicken from crockpot and allow 10-15 minutes resting time before carving to preserve moisture.
- Create a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with water, then incorporate into remaining cooking liquid to develop a rich, thickened sauce.
- Plate carved chicken alongside roasted vegetables and stuffing, drizzling the luxurious thickened sauce over the top and garnishing with fresh parsley for a refined presentation.
Notes
- Ensure chicken skin gets crispy by patting it completely dry before seasoning, which helps achieve better browning and texture.
- Customize spice blend by adjusting cayenne and brown sugar ratios for personal heat and sweetness preferences.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting regular stuffing mix with quinoa or gluten-free bread cubes mixed with herbs.
- Prevent dry chicken by checking internal temperature early and avoiding overcooking, as slow cookers can vary in heat intensity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 45
- Calories: 31 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 39 mg
- Fat: 1.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 3.5 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg