Slow cooked whole chicken glazed with honey on a serving plate, garnished with herbs

Tender Honey-Glazed Slow Cooked Whole Chicken

Name: Tender Honey-Glazed Slow Cooked Whole Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 piece Whole chicken (3-4 lbs); 1/4 cup Honey (preferably raw or organic for best flavor); 2 tbsp Olive oil (extra virgin for best flavor); 2 tbsp Lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 3 cloves Garlic cloves (minced); 1 tsp Salt (preferably kosher or sea salt); 1/2 tsp Black pepper (freshly ground); 1 tsp Paprika (smoked or sweet depending on preference); 1 tsp Dried thyme or rosemary (optional)

Home Page / Slow Cooker Recipes / Slow Cooking Chicken Recipes

easy

5 hour

Nutritional value per serving

Calories400kcal

Carbs10gram

Fat18gram

Protein45gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Whole chicken (3-4 lbs)1 piece
Honey (preferably raw or organic for best flavor)1/4 cup
Olive oil (extra virgin for best flavor)2 tbsp
Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)2 tbsp
Garlic cloves (minced)3 cloves
Salt (preferably kosher or sea salt)1 tsp
Black pepper (freshly ground)1/2 tsp
Paprika (smoked or sweet depending on preference)1 tsp
Dried thyme or rosemary (optional)1 tsp

This recipe will guide you through slow cooking a whole chicken with a mouthwatering honey glaze. Slow cooking ensures the chicken is tender, juicy, and full of flavor. You will learn how to prepare and glaze the chicken, slow cook to safe internal temperatures, and serve a delicious meal perfect for family dinners. The cost of ingredients is approximately $12 USD | 11 EUR | 9 GBP | 900 INR. Each serving contains around 400 calories and this dish is suitable for a gluten-free diet. The recipe is easy in difficulty and takes about 6 hours total, mostly hands-off time.

Preparation instructions

Prepare the Chicken and Glaze

1In a small bowl, mix honey, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, and dried herbs. This will be your honey glaze. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place chicken in a large bowl or dish.

Apply the Glaze on Chicken

2Rub the honey glaze mixture all over the chicken, inside the cavity and under the skin if possible. This helps the flavors penetrate deeply during slow cooking.

Place Chicken in Slow Cooker

3Put the glazed chicken breast side up into your slow cooker pot. Cover with the lid.

Set Slow Cooker and Cook

4Cook on low for about 4.5 to 5 hours, or on high for about 3 to 3.5 hours.

Check Internal Temperature for Safety

5Using a food thermometer, check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the breast and the thigh without touching bone. The chicken is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches at least 75°C (165°F). If not reached, continue cooking and check every 15 minutes.

Optional: Broil for Crispy Skin

6If you like crispy skin, carefully transfer the cooked chicken to an oven-safe roasting pan and place under a preheated broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Rest and Serve

7Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows juices to redistribute and keeps the meat moist.

Cooking Tips

1Make sure to wash your hands and utensils after handling raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination.

2If you do not have a slow cooker, you can roast the chicken at 160°C (325°F) for 1.5-2 hours with the same glaze, checking for doneness.

3Use a digital instant-read thermometer for the most accurate internal temperature measurement.

4Feel free to add vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions in the slow cooker with the chicken for a complete meal.

5Adjust honey amount according to your sweetness preference.

Equipment needed

Slow cooker
Small mixing bowl
Measuring spoons and cups
Food thermometer
Knife and cutting board
Oven-safe dish (optional, for broiling)

Shopping List

[ ] Whole chicken (3-4 lbs), about $8 - Choose fresh chicken with firm skin and no unpleasant smell.
[ ] Honey (1/4 cup), about $2 - Opt for raw, organic honey for richer flavor if possible.
[ ] Olive oil (2 tbsp), about $0.50 - Use extra virgin olive oil for better taste.
[ ] Lemon (fresh), for juice, about $0.50 - Pick firm lemons with bright yellow color.
[ ] Garlic (3 cloves), about $0.20 - Look for firm, plump cloves without mold.
[ ] Salt (1 tsp) - You may already have this at home.
[ ] Black pepper (1/2 tsp) - Freshly ground preferred.
[ ] Paprika (1 tsp) - Smoked or sweet variety.
[ ] Dried thyme or rosemary (optional, 1 tsp) - Enhances flavor.

Total estimated cost: approximately $12

FAQ

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat?

Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest parts (breast and thigh). The chicken is considered safe to eat when it reaches at least 75°C (165°F).