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.

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 since it can provide you with enough chicken for multiples meals during the week.
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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

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 since it can provide you with enough chicken for multiples meals during the week.

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.
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 since it can provide you with enough chicken for multiples meals during the week.

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.

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 since it can provide you with enough chicken for multiples meals during the week.

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!

4.43 from 7 votes

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken

By Julia
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6
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 

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

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 6g, Calories: 335kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 683mg, Potassium: 452mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 10978IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 67mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @acedarspoon or tag #acedarspoon!

About Julia

I'm Julia. Wife, mom to three growing boys, lover of food. Here you will find quick & easy weeknight meal ideas, kid-friendly recipes and a few sweet treats. My roots are from the Mediterranean and many of my recipes incorporate those flavors!

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4.43 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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24 Comments

  1. Jennifer Cavallaro says:

    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?

  2. luda says:

    This recipe was a hit with my family! The best they’ve had they say! Thanks will continue to use it! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Julia says:

      So glad you liked it! Thanks for sharing.

  3. alyssa | everydaymaven says:

    I love the spices – this is such a great idea!

  4. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says:

    We make something similar all the time!!! So versatile!

  5. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says:

    I LOVE Just BARE chicken! And that rub sounds BOMB! Mediterranean flavors are my fav!

    1. Julia says:

      Just BARE chicken is the best. I love it too. And thank you, these Mediterranean flavors are my favorite.

  6. The Domestic Rebel says:

    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!

    1. Julia says:

      Yes you are so right! That’s what I love is how many meals you can get out of one of these chickens.