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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.

One of the keys to healthy eating for my family is meal planning each week.

I find that if I sit down and think through what we are going to eat each week and prep what I can, it helps ensure that we are eating nutritious, well rounded meals. Each year when school starts I find this to be even more important.

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.

Some easy ways to prep for the week include cooking your protein ahead of time, chopping your vegetables, draining and portioning out your beans and grains. This cuts down time when it comes time to put your meal together for the evening.

By adding this Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken to your menu, it helps add healthy, lean protein to your meals. It uses a Just BARE® Natural Young Whole Chicken and warm, rich Mediterranean spices as the rub helping to seal in the juices, along with lemon juice and garlic, carrots, celery and onion.

When the chicken is done you not only have a meal for Sunday dinner, but you also have leftover chicken that you can use in multiple ways throughout the week.

I am excited to be partnering with Just BARE® to bring you today’s Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken and help you get healthy meals on your table with ease each week.

This shines through in their new Living Lean & Clean campaign, and it starts with their chickens.

They raise them in humane conditions — the chickens are never given antibiotics, and are fed a nutrient-packed diet, which makes a big difference in the health of the chicken and the taste in your meals.

Protein is necessary for living a healthy and active lifestyle. With three boys running around I know how much energy my kids use up each day and I need to fuel those little bodies. While the lean protein from chicken is good for you, the lean and clean protein you get from Just BARE Chicken is even better.

Chicken is a great source of protein because it contains all of the essential amino acids.

Looking for ways to add leftover chicken to your weekly menu? Here are some ways you can add protein to a variety of meals for the week:

Simple Curry Chicken Salad // Chicken salad is a great option for lunches during the week. Shred your leftover chicken and add it to this lightened up version of classic chicken salad with rich, warm curry added in. 

Chicken Shawarma Rice Bowls // Substitute the chicken in this bowl with your leftover chicken to make an easy and quick rice bowl meal. You can also do a Mexican inspired rice bowl using your favorite taco ingredients paired with the chicken. 

Curried Chicken and Rice Casserole // You can use your leftover chicken in this homemade casserole that is lightened up by making your own cream of chicken soup substitute. 

Chicken Feta Cheddar Pita Pitzas // Pita pitzas are a great way to use leftover chicken to create your favorite flavor combo on a toasty pita. 

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas // Shredded chicken works perfectly in chicken enchiladas and saves you time when using leftover chicken. 

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Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken

Yield: 6-8

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken is tender, juicy and rich with Mediterranean flavors. Cooking whole chicken in the slow cooker is not only easy but provides you with chicken not only for one meal but to use throughout the week in your meals. 

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Ingredients

• 1 - 4 pounds Just BARE Young 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:

1. In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil and lemon juice. Set aside.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Place the remaining lemon quarters, 1 garlic clove that is cut in half and the 2 bay leaves on the inside of the chicken.
6. In the slow cooker place the carrots, celery and onion in an even layer. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables.
7. 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:

1. In a large pan heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the vermicelli and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the vermicelli is turning golden brown.
3. Add the rice, water according to the package, carrots and dried fruit of your choice.
4. Cook the rice mixture according to package. Once the rice is done fluff the rice and serve alongside the chicken.

Notes

Feel free to use whatever rub you like on the whole chicken. Many different spice combinations can work when cooking the whole chicken in a crockpot.

You can add whatever vegetables you want to the slow cooker including chunks of potatoes, green beans and squash.