Instructions

1. Remove the bag from the chicken cavity that contains the neck, kidney and other organs, if applicable. Rinse the chicken in your sink and pat the skin dry with paper towels. Place the whole chicken inside the Crock-Pot insert. Most Crock-Pots have a removable insert that you can set on the counter separate from the base that contains the heating element.

2. Sprinkle your choice of dry herbs and spices over the side of the chicken that faces up. Options for seasonings are virtually unlimited, ranging from basic salt and pepper, lemon pepper, Cajun spice blends, rosemary, garlic powder, and more. Rub the chicken with your hands to distribute the spices evenly over the entire side of the chicken that faces up in the pot.

3. Flip the chicken over so the seasoned side faces down. Sprinkle the spices over the bare side of the chicken and rub it evenly over the skin with your hands. Repeat this process with the sides of the chicken if you were unable to access the sides while seasoning the tops and bottom.

4. Stand the chicken upright so the neck cavity faces up in the pot. Sprinkle the spices inside the cavity so the season the meat throughout the chicken. Insert your hand in the neck cavity to spread the spices evenly around the inside. If you have a large bird, you might need to flip the chicken over and repeat this process with the bottom cavity.

5. Return the bird to the original position so the first side faces up. Drizzle your choice of wet ingredients, such as a store-bought marinade, olive oil, or lemon juice over the bird and rub it evenly across the skin with your hands. Flip the chicken over and repeat with the remaining sides and inside cavity.

6. Stand the chicken in the Crock-Pot so the neck cavity faces up. Insert your choice of larger seasoning ingredients in the neck cavity. As with dry spices, the options here are plentiful. You can add ingredients such as a quartered onion, lemon wedges, apple slices, whole garlic cloves, sprigs of rosemary and thyme, or try a blend of several different ingredients.

7. Place the chicken centered in the bottom of the Crock-Pot with the breast side facing up. Add some of the larger ingredients to the bottom of the Crock-Pot around the chicken, as well as on top of the chicken, if desired. One popular seasoning option is to crush a garlic clove and rub it over the skin.

8. Place the Crock-Pot insert with the seasoned chicken in the refrigerator overnight or a few hours before cooking. While you can begin cooking immediately after seasoning, time in the refrigerator allows the flavors to meld together and penetrate the chicken. Remove the insert from the refrigerator and place it into the base when ready to cook.