if you want to know How to cook a whole chicken in a panthis simple recipe with a smoky garlic spice blend is for you. It's perfectly browned on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a lovely sweet lemon flavor in every juicy bite.
Why cook a whole chicken in a pot?
If you love a weeknight dinner that doubles as a simple yet beautiful party recipe, then you must learn how to cook a whole chicken in a crockpot.
- Once and for all. Once the chicken is in the pan, you can forget about it for a few hours.
- Made with pantry staples. No complicated ingredients, just simple pantry staples like cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder.
- Great for parties. You don't have to spend hours in the kitchen because you actually make this entire chicken dinner yourself.
- Suitable for freezer compartments. If you make a double batch, you can always keep some in the freezer for busy weeknights.
Ingredient description
All the flavors are centered in smoky cumin paprika spice with hints of herby coriander. Scroll to the “How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Pot” recipe card at the bottom of the post for the exact quantities.
- Whole chicken—— You can use fresh or frozen (thawed).
- olive oil- Feel free to use corn oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil instead.
- garlic powder—— Onion powder works too.
- Cumin powder – If you don't mind a hint of Tex-Mex, taco seasoning is a great choice.
- Chopped coriander – Avoid using fresh cilantro as it can burn in the broiler.
- smoked paprika – You can also use mild or sweet paprika.
- salt and pepper – Kosher salt and fresh black pepper are best.
- lemon – Oranges also work.
How to Make a Whole Chicken in a Pan
Once you've cleaned the chicken and prepared the spice mixture, the pot does the rest of the work for you. Scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full “How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Pan” recipe card.
- Prepare chicken. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Remove neck and giblets. Coat chicken with olive oil.
- Make the spice mixture. Stir garlic powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Season it. Sprinkle chicken with spice mixture on all sides. Place the lemon into the cavity of the chicken. Place chicken breast side up in pan.
- Cook it. Cover the pot. Set it to “High” and cook for 6 hours. Remove and transfer to baking sheet.
- Bake it. Place chicken under grill and grill for 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from heat. Set it aside. Let cool for 5-10 minutes and enjoy!
Tips and variation ideas
Serve this slow-cooked chicken with homemade white wine gravy and tender potatoes to make dinnertime even more impressive.
- More spice. Mix 1 teaspoon mustard powder, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper into the seasoning mixture to add depth and flavor.
- Exchange protein. Using baby turkey instead of chicken in this recipe is an easy swap.
- Use vegetables. After 5 hours, add 1/4 pound of halved baby potatoes, 1/4 pound of chopped carrots, and 1/4 pound of green beans to the pot. Let them cook in the pan for a final hour, until tender.
- Ask the butcher. Save prep time by having your butcher remove the neck and giblets from the chicken.
- Make a gravy. During the last hour of cooking, add 32 fl oz chicken broth and 1/2 cup dry white wine to the pot along with 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Let it thicken and keep the gravy aside.
FAQ
Food recommendations
A whole chicken in a crockpot makes an easy dinner that pairs perfectly with vegetarian side dishes. Try it with mine Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Bacon or mediterranean salad. mine Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Also great. For salad options, get my mediterranean salad or Green Goddess Salad.
Learning how to cook a whole chicken in a pot is easy, and so is storing it.
- refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- refrigerator: Transfer portions to freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- To reheat: Sprinkle a teaspoon of water on top and microwave for one minute or until hot. For larger portions, place in a pot and heat for 30 minutes.
More Chicken Crockpot Recipes
describe
Learning how to cook a whole chicken in the pan with smokey seasoning and lime is easy with this one-and-done recipe.
- Clean the whole chicken and pat dry.
- In a small bowl, add garlic powder, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Place chicken in pan, breast side up.
- Drizzle with olive oil. Using your hands, rub the olive oil all over your body.
- Next, cover the chicken with the spice mixture. Make sure it is covered on all sides.
- Place lemon halves into chicken belly.
- Cover and cook on high for 6 hours.
- Remove chicken from pan and transfer to baking sheet.
- Place the whole chicken under the broiler and grill for 5-6 minutes, until the top of the chicken is lightly browned.
- Remove from oven. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
