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Home / Comfort Food

Easy Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken

4.69
/5
4 hours 5 minutes
49 Comments
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By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 03/07/2018

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

No need to run to the grocery store… you can make an amazingly flavorful and crispy rotisserie chicken at home, right in the slow cooker!

Having a rotisserie chicken on hand is like the ultimate ace in the hole… you can serve it up as is, or shred it and use it for SO many recipes!  Now you don’t have to pick one up from the grocery store… you can make your own, with your own seasonings, with barely any work required!

This rotisserie chicken is so easy to make in the slow cooker... with just 5 minutes of prep!

If you’re like me, you use store-bought rotisserie chickens quite a bit.  I mean, they’re just SO versatile!  But they can also be expensive, and elusive.  Our local grocery store only has so many, and if you’re not one of the lucky few to grab one, you’re out of luck.  Boo to that!

So when I saw a method for cooking a whole chicken in a slow cooker, I knew I had to try my hand at making my own “rotisserie” style version!

Roasted chicken in slow cooker

The result?  An amazing rotisserie style chicken that’s every bit as tender and juicy as the store-bought variety!

HOW TO MAKE ROTISSERIE CHICKEN AT HOME

There are two main ways to make one at home… the slow cooker and the oven.  You could also make one on a grill, but for most people that’s not a year-round option.

HOW LONG TO COOK ROTISSERIE CHICKEN IN AN OVEN

For a 4-5 lb chicken, you’ll want to roast it at 425 F degrees for 70-85 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F degrees.  To keep it from drying out in the hot oven, baste periodically with the juices accumulated in the pan.

Crispy rotisserie chicken leg

HOW TO MAKE ROTISSERIE CHICKEN IN THE SLOW COOKER

The tips you’ve been waiting for!

  • Make sure the chicken will fit into the slow cooker without touching the lid.  I don’t have any problems in my 6 or 7 quart slow cooker, but smaller ones might be a problem.
  • You want to keep the chicken off the bottom of the slow cooker, so it won’t be sitting in liquid.  The easiest way to do this is to create 4 balls of aluminum foil (or a long foil snake), and rest the chicken on top of that.
  • Make sure you’ve taken out the gizzards and any other innards.  The chickens at my grocery store come with the innards in a bag inside the chicken, which is easy to remove.
  • Pat the chicken dry, both inside and out.
  • Don’t add any liquid to the slow cooker.  I know it may seem odd, but the chicken will give off plenty of juices as it cooks.
  • For the crispiest skin, drizzle cooked chicken (after it’s finished in the slow cooker) with olive oil and broil on HIGH for several minutes until skin is crispy.

Piece of rotisserie chicken recipes

Once you try this recipe and see how incredibly EASY it is to make rotisserie chicken at home, you’ll be making it often!

WAYS TO USE A ROTISSERIE CHICKEN

You can slice it up and eat it as is, maybe with a side of horseradish mashed potatoes and crispy cheddar broccoli… or here are a few great ways you an use the shredded chicken.

  • Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels
  • Cheesy Tortilla Chicken Casserole
  • Chicken and Mushroom Chowder
  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

Not only would this rotisserie chicken recipe be fabulous for a weeknight dinner, it’s amazing for a weekend family meal, or even gracing your holiday table this year!

TOOLS USED TO MAKE THIS ROTISSERIE CHICKEN RECIPE

  • Slow Cooker – this slow cooker is large, and has a clamp-down lid… it’s my go-to, and is really affordable!
  • Aluminum foil – the heavy duty variety is best here, as it doesn’t squish down as much.

Want to try this Rotisserie Chicken?

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Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Making this homemade "rotisserie" chicken is as easy as 5 minutes of prep and a handful of spices.  Then sit back and let your slow cooker do all the work!  | #chicken #rotisseriechicken #slowcookerrecipe #crockpot #easyrecipe

Easy Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken

4.69 from 22 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 6 - 8 servings
(hover over # to adjust)
Print Rate Pin
No need to run to the grocery store... you can make an amazingly flavorful and crispy rotisserie chicken at home, right in the slow cooker! 

Ingredients

  • 4 - 5 lb whole chicken, innards removed
  • 2 Tbsp light brown sugar
  • 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Add 4 balls of aluminum foil to bottom of large slow cooker to create a rack for the chicken to cook on.  Prepare chicken by removing innards and patting dry, both inside and out.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients, then rub mixture all over chicken.  Place chicken in slow cooker on top of the foil balls.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until juices run clear and chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 F degrees.
  • For crispy skin, preheat broiler to HIGH and place chicken on a large rimmed baking sheet that's been lined with foil (for easy clean up).  Drizzle chicken with olive oil and broil for several minutes, or until crisped to your liking.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

Alternately, chicken can be cooked on LOW for 7-8 hours, until chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 F degrees.  

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
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Making this homemade "rotisserie" chicken is as easy as 5 minutes of prep and a handful of spices.  Then sit back and let your slow cooker do all the work!  | #chicken #rotisseriechicken #slowcookerrecipe #crockpot #easyrecipe

Making this homemade "rotisserie" chicken is as easy as 5 minutes of prep and a handful of spices.  Then sit back and let your slow cooker do all the work!  | #chicken #rotisseriechicken #slowcookerrecipe #crockpot #easyrecipe

Making this homemade "rotisserie" chicken is as easy as 5 minutes of prep and a handful of spices.  Then sit back and let your slow cooker do all the work!  | #chicken #rotisseriechicken #slowcookerrecipe #crockpot #easyrecipe

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Meet The Chunky Chef

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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Recipe Rating




  1. Christine says

    Posted on 11/30 at 7:01 pm

    Tried it and liked it a lot!!

    Reply
  2. Carla Harold says

    Posted on 5/25 at 5:31 pm

    The last time I tried this it turned out a little dry. I’m making it again today. I’m rubbing the spices under the skin and am going to cook 2 hours then check the temp. I love how easy it it!

    Reply
  3. Alison says

    Posted on 4/26 at 3:07 am

    This was fab. I slow cooked it on low for 6 hours it was so tender it didn’t come out of the cooker in 1 piece so next time I’ll do it on high for 4 hours- sliced the breast and put it in a Cesar salad

    Reply
  4. Terri says

    Posted on 10/2 at 5:23 pm

    Made this beginning of summer. It turned out soooooo good. Making it again on Packer Sunday……can’t wait to have it again. 🏈

    Reply
  5. Bob mck says

    Posted on 9/25 at 6:21 pm

    I cooked in crock pot for 8 hrs on low ; and a little dry but no rotissary taste and I used the recipe Sorry to disappoint🙈🙈🙈

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 9/25 at 9:04 pm

      Everyone has different tastes, and it sounds like this just isn’t the recipe for you.

      Reply
  6. Donna says

    Posted on 9/16 at 12:26 pm

    When placed in the slow cooker, is it breast side down? Or up??

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      Posted on 9/16 at 3:31 pm

      I do breast side up 🙂

      Reply
  7. Kristal says

    Posted on 5/19 at 1:27 pm

    Hi Amando thanks for the delicious recipe. How long do I cook it on high in the crock pot for??? Thanks again 😊

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      Posted on 5/19 at 10:04 pm

      Hi Kristal 🙂 Generally about half the time for cooking on high.

      Reply
  8. Carol mantia says

    Posted on 5/9 at 1:24 pm

    I put potatoes on the bottom instead of foil it was delious

    Reply
    • Mesha says

      Posted on 6/19 at 1:18 pm

      good idea, I will try the potatoes on the bottom.

      Reply
  9. Marcy Decker says

    Posted on 3/24 at 9:25 pm

    I’ve made this several times from your recipe and it’s delicious! Thanks for the simple and clear recipe about how to make Rotiserre Chicken at home.

    Reply
  10. Colleen B says

    Posted on 3/13 at 11:07 pm

    Thanks Amanda, I made this and it was top notch and have added it to my list of will definitely make over and over. Looking forward to more recipes you have to offer

    Reply
  11. Lygia says

    Posted on 3/7 at 10:33 am

    Tried this on Low for 8hrs. Fall-off-the-bone good!

    Broiled for 2mins. Beautiful!

    Reply
  12. Dorie says

    Posted on 2/22 at 12:59 pm

    Cook on low for how long?

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      Posted on 2/22 at 3:42 pm

      I would say about 8 hours.

      Reply
  13. Penny Lee Kudrick says

    Posted on 1/17 at 4:43 am

    There was a spice I didn’t like but I didn’t know which one it was. I used a bed of big carrots and put the chicken in breast side down. I cooked for 2 hours on low and 1 hour and 45 minutes on high and it was falling apart. I have a really hot slow cooker, I have to really watch it.

    Reply
  14. Nancy says

    Posted on 10/24 at 8:40 pm

    I made this today with great results. Some commenters said their chicken was dry. I used a chicken with one of those pop up thermometers. It popped up around 3-1/2 hours on high in my crock pot. So maybe you can use that as a guide on cooking time for a juicier bird. 

    Reply
  15. Kent A. says

    Posted on 5/22 at 6:48 pm

    looks like a tasty recipe, but I would recommend slow cooking breast side down so it can absorb some of the juices, and then flip and broil to crisp the skin. This is similar to the upside down turkey method that works so well for keeping the white meat from drying out.

    Reply
  16. Cindy says

    Posted on 2/21 at 9:03 am

    Tried this recipe using 8 chicken drumsticks, only! UM-Um good! The chicken was very moist and flavorful. I followed the directions with only 1 small variance: i drizzled d oil over my drumsticks prior to doing the rub. Cooked in my slow  cooker on High for 3.5 hours. Chicken turned out crispy, golden brown! Love it!

    Reply
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