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Slow Cooker Roast Chicken with Lemon & Herb Butter Recipe

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4.2 from 15 reviews

This Slow Cooker Roast Chicken with Lemon & Herb Butter is a convenient and flavorful way to enjoy a tender, juicy whole chicken infused with fresh herbs and zesty lemon. Perfect for a hands-off meal that delivers moist, aromatic poultry, this recipe uses a slow cooker to cook the bird gently before finishing it under the grill for a crispy, golden skin.

Ingredients

Chicken and Aromatics

  • 1.5 kg Free range whole chicken
  • 1 Onion (peeled and cut into large chunks)
  • 2 Whole lemons
  • 100ml (0.5 cup) boiling water

Herb Butter

  • 3 tbsp Butter
  • 1 tbsp Fresh thyme leaves (stalks removed)
  • 1 tbsp Fresh sage (finely chopped)
  • 1 tbsp Garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Herb Butter: In a bowl, combine the butter with fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped sage, garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a flavorful herb butter.
  2. Prepare Slow Cooker Base: Place the peeled onion chunks at the bottom of the slow cooker to create a bed for the chicken. This will also infuse extra flavor and prevent the chicken from sticking.
  3. Position the Chicken: Remove any string or trussing from the chicken to ensure even cooking. Set the whole chicken on top of the onion chunks inside the slow cooker.
  4. Apply Herb Butter: Spread the prepared herb butter evenly over the top and sides of the chicken, making sure it is well coated for maximum flavor.
  5. Add Lemon and Liquid: Slice one lemon in half and tuck the halves around the edges of the chicken. Pour 100 ml (0.5 cup) of boiling water into the slow cooker to keep the environment moist during cooking.
  6. Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the chicken on LOW for about 5 hours. The chicken is done when the leg bone moves very loosely indicating tenderness.
  7. Serve or Brown the Chicken: For serving immediately with softer skin, remove the chicken and portion as desired. If you prefer a roasted look and crispy skin, proceed to the next step.
  8. Brown Under Grill: Preheat a grill to very hot. Place the whole cooked chicken under the grill for about 15 minutes until the skin is crunchy and crisp. Optionally, add additional lemon slices and fresh herbs for garnish before serving.

Notes

  • Removing the string/trussing from the chicken helps it cook more evenly in the slow cooker.
  • You can remove the skin before serving if the texture doesn't appeal after slow cooking.
  • Using fresh herbs in the butter really enhances the flavor, but dried can be substituted if necessary.
  • The addition of boiling water in the slow cooker helps maintain moisture during the long cooking time.
  • This recipe can be adapted for other poultry sizes, adjusting cooking time accordingly.

Find it online: https://cozyplatter.com/slow-cooker-roast-chicken-with-lemon-and-herb-butter-recipe/