CrockPot Whole Chicken or Turkey Breast Recipe
This super easy Crockpot Slow Cooker Whole Chicken or Turkey Breast recipe is the juiciest, most flavorful dish you’ll ever have!
NOTE: This recipe works for a whole chicken OR turkey breast!
Holiday Turkey Breast
Last week, I posted a pic on Instagram of a slow cooker (need a new slow cooker?) turkey breast that I made for Thanksgiving and THE INTERWEBS WENT WILD.
This is, by far, the juiciest turkey that I’ve ever had. To be honest, I’m not usually a big turkey fan because it’s so often dry and flavorless, but this one? SO MUCH FLAVOR AND TENDERNESS.
Why Turkey Breast is Better Than a Whole Turkey
Picking a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals has a bunch of good points.
- Fast Cooking: Turkey breasts cook quicker than whole turkeys. This is great, especially when time is tight during the busy holiday season.
- Even Cooking: Turkey breasts cook more evenly. You won’t struggle as much to get both dark and white meat just right since turkey breasts are mostly white meat.
- Just the Right Size: If you’re having a smaller group or want a more manageable amount, a turkey breast is perfect. You still get the traditional holiday dish without dealing with too much food.
- Easy to Handle: Dealing with a turkey breast is easier than a whole turkey. It takes up less space in the oven, making it simpler to manage side dishes and cooking times.
- Can Mix Things Up: A turkey breast lets you try different seasonings, marinades, or stuffing options. You can create a unique holiday meal that suits your taste.
- Not Too Many Leftovers: While leftovers can be nice, not everyone likes dealing with a ton of them. A turkey breast gives you a more moderate amount of leftovers, so you’re not stuck with too much extra food.
In the end, going for a turkey breast for your Thanksgiving and Christmas meals is a practical choice that fits your preferences, time, and the size of your gathering. It lets you enjoy the holiday meal without the extra fuss of handling a whole turkey.
Crockpot Whole Chicken
I just knew that I had to try it again, but this time on a whole chicken. I assumed that it would perform the same as the turkey, but I wasn’t 100% sure. Would it create its own juice as before? Would it be just as flavorful and tender?
The answer was YES! It was absolutely delicious.
This chicken (or turkey) is the easiest and most delicious one that I have ever made. I seriously could not get over how yummy it was and the amount of juice that was created without any addition. Another bonus was that it created a ton of leftovers for chicken salad, shredded chicken tacos, and the most savory juice for gravy!
Okay, let’s just get on the recipe, shall we? 🙂
Crockpot Whole Chicken or Turkey Breast Recipe
CrockPot Whole Chicken or Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 5-8 lbs bone-in one whole chicken or turkey breast thawed
- medium yellow onion
- head of garlic
- 1 tsp dried rosemary or 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp dried thyme or 5 sprigs of thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp lemon pepper
- drizzle of olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice yellow onion into fours and halve garlic head, then place them on the bottom of slow cooker.
- Remove any bags of gizzards, etc. from inside of the chicken/turkey. Rinse chicken/turkey under water, then pat dry with paper towels.
- Mix all dried spices in a small bowl, then sprinkle all around the chicken/turkey (top, bottom, and sides). Place chicken on top of onion and garlic in slow cooker. Add fresh spices (optional if you do/don't have dried spices).
- Drizzle a bit of olive oil on top of the chicken, then cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours (for a 6 lb chicken or breast). You can also check the turkey breast packaging for recommendations on length of slow cooker time if you have a bigger size.note: The vegetables and chicken/turkey will create its own juices as it slow cooks, but feel free to add a tiny bit of stock if you like (I've never had to).
- Using a meat themometer, check for thorough cooking of chicken/turkey before removing from slow cooker. Slice right before serving for the best tenderness and flavor! Enjoy!
Video
Friends, make this chicken or turkey soon. You will be so impressed and never use the baking method again, I promise! Need a new slow cooker? CLICK HERE!
Also, if you like this recipe, please pin the image below. Thanks for reading!
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For 16 years, I have been the creator & full-time blogger of Mom Spark. I’ve also created content for numerous outlets such as Good Housekeeping, Better Homes & Gardens, & Huff Post.