Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken is tender, juicy and rich with Mediterranean flavors. Cooking a whole chicken in the slow cooker is not only easy, but is a great way to meal plan, providing chicken for multiple meals during the week.
Today I am sharing one of my favorite ways to meal prep with this tender, juicy Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken.
You can put this in your crockpot on Sunday for dinner, and then use the leftover chicken for other meals throughout the week. This is one of my favorite poultry recipes along with this Herb Butter Roasted Turkey which works great for Thanksgiving or even just a weeknight meal.
With a family of five, things get pretty crazy during the week in our house. Between school, work and after school activities meal time can become rushed and difficult. One thing I have learned over the years is that meal prepping on Sunday is so important to a stress free week of meals. Your slow cooker can be a great helper in achieving your meal planning goals.
If you like chicken recipes you also have to check out my Harissa Chicken Recipe, Turmeric Chicken, Moroccan Chicken Thighs or this Chicken Kofta.
Recipe Ingredients
Here’s an overview of the simple ingredients we’re using. Jump to the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and printable instructions.
- Chicken: This recipe uses a young whole chicken. I love making this in the crockpot because you end up with a lot of delicious shredded chicken that can be used in so many different ways.
- Vegetables: The vegetables that I add into the crockpot with the chicken are carrots, celery and sweet onion. You can add in any vegetables you have on hand like bell peppers, green beans or broccoli.
- Rub: The rub is what infuses all of the flavor into the chicken. The rub mixes together garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, cumin, thyme and cayenne pepper.
How to Make a Slow Cooker Chicken
Step 1: Create the Rub: In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil and lemon juice. Set aside. In a medium mixing bowl combine the black pepper, salt, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, cumin, thyme, cayenne pepper, and the 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir to combine everything.
Step 2: Prepare Chicken: Remove the Whole Chicken from the bag and set it on a large cutting board. Use paper towel to dry the chicken off so the rub sticks to it.
Step 3: Brush Olive oil/Lemon Mixture on Chicken: Use a brush or your hands to rub the olive oil/lemon mixture on the entire chicken. Use your hands to rub the spice mixture over the entire chicken and on the side of the chicken.
Step 4: Add Vegetables: Place the remaining lemon quarters, 1 garlic clove that is cut in half and the 2 bay leaves on the inside of the chicken. In the slow cooker place the carrots, celery and onion in an even layer. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables.
Step 5: Slow Cook: Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone or reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Storage Tips
Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat you can microwave or you can quickly heat it in a skillet.
More Chicken Recipes
If you tried this Mediterranean Steak Bites Recipe or any other recipe on my blog please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 – 4 pounds Whole Chicken
- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped into large chunks
- 2 celery stalks, cut into large chunks
- 1 medium sweet onion, chopped into large chunks
For the rub:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lemon, 1/2 juiced and 1/2 quartered
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4 garlic cloves, 3 minced and 1 cut in half
- 2 bay leaves
For the jeweled rice:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup vermicelli
- 1 cup basmati, jasmine or white rice of you choice {water according to package}
- 2 carrots, peeled, diced
- 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries
Instructions
For the whole chicken:
- In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil and lemon juice. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine the black pepper, salt, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, cumin, thyme, cayenne pepper, and the 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir to combine everything.
- Remove the Just BARE Young Whole Chicken from the bag and set it on a large cutting board. Use paper towel to dry the chicken off so the rub sticks to it.
- Use a brush or your hands to rub the olive oil/lemon mixture on the entire chicken. Use your hands to rub the spice mixture over the entire chicken and on the side of the chicken. Place the remaining lemon quarters, 1 garlic clove that is cut in half and the 2 bay leaves on the inside of the chicken.
- In the slow cooker place the carrots, celery and onion in an even layer. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone or reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
For the jeweled rice:
- In a large pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the vermicelli and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the vermicelli is turning golden brown.
- Add the rice, water according to the package, carrots and dried fruit of your choice. Cook the rice mixture according to package. Once the rice is done fluff the rice and serve alongside the chicken.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This looks delicious, and the spices sound perfect. I will try it in the slow cooker first, but have you tried this in a pressure cooker?
I have not but I am sure it would work in the pressure cooker! You could follow directions similar to this recipe: https://www.acedarspoon.com/instant-pot-rotisserie-chicken/
This recipe was a hit with my family! The best they’ve had they say! Thanks will continue to use it! Thanks for sharing!
So glad you liked it! Thanks for sharing.
I love the spices – this is such a great idea!
We make something similar all the time!!! So versatile!
I LOVE Just BARE chicken! And that rub sounds BOMB! Mediterranean flavors are my fav!
Just BARE chicken is the best. I love it too. And thank you, these Mediterranean flavors are my favorite.
This chicken looks so perfectly spiced, super moist and ultra flavorful! I can see stretching this to be chicken and rice one day, chicken tacos the next, and the rest on a salad!
Yes you are so right! That’s what I love is how many meals you can get out of one of these chickens.