Whole Chicken in the Crock Pot

This is from 100daysofrealfood.com. It is easy and flavorful. It also makes the best chicken bone broth.

*This is DAIRY FREE and GLUTEN FREE*

Ingredients

• 4 pound whole chicken
• 1 onion, quartered
• spice mix
  • 2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne 
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
• Optional: 2 tablespoons butter, split into about 4-8 pieces

Directions

Place loosely chopped onion on bottom of crock pot.

Combine spices.

Rub spices on chicken.

Place butter on top of chicken and under the skin of the breast.

Cook 4-5 hours on high.

*I recently cooked a whole chicken from frozen and I used this method, but it just took a little longer. It took about 6 hours on high. I’m not sure that’s recommended from a food safety standpoint because of the temperature regulation, but it worked for us.*

Spice Mix recommendation: This mix can be prepared in larger quantities and kept in an airtight jar like a ball jar.

Chicken Spice Mix:

• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon thyme
• 1/2 tablespoon or 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 tablespoon cayenne or approximately 3/4 teaspoon (this is a rough estimate) cayenne
• Mix ingredients and save in an airtight jar
• Use 1 heaping teaspoon per 1 pound of meat