So I decided to try a new rub for my favorite whole chicken in a crock pot meal. So glad that I did. After this chicken was cooked I shredded it and put it back in its broth and served it shredded. It was absolutely delicious. I challenge you to make this recipe and try not to make the same thing again. I hope you enjoy!
Best BBQ Crock Pot Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken giblets removed and cleaned
- 1 white onion sliced
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Pat dry your entire chicken inside and out with paper towels
- Line the bottom of your crock pot with the sliced onions
- Place the chicken in your crock pot on top of the onions
- Combine all remaining ingredients in a bowl and mix well
- Using your hands, rub mixture over the entire chicken, inside and out and make sure you lay it on thick and don't miss any spots
- Place the lid on your crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours or until your chicken is done
- Serve with the side of your choice and Enjoy
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Not a big onion fan, can another vegetable be substituted, maybe celery or carrots,or potatoes? Or possibly an apple ?
An apple would be perfect
I LOVE this rub! I made this recipe (minus the onion powder-husband can’t have it) with chicken the first time and it was a hit. I had already put my crockpot up so I just used my cast iron dutch oven. The recipe adapts easily. This past weekend I used this rub on my boneless pork ribs for grilling. It was wonderful. My husband commented on the rub many times. I now keep a batch of it mixed up in my spice cabinet to use on everything! Thank you!
PS. I tried giving 5 stars but it wouldn’t let me :(
Thank you Naomi, those stars are temperamental sometimes :)
Hi, I’m new to crock-potting.. I noticed there is no “liquid” in this recipe. Is that ok? Should I throw in some broth or something? It looks fantastic and I want to try it!
You don’t need to, enough liquid is created :)
Very good, cooked it yesterday. I had to use marjoram instead of tyme because I had none. I also didn’t have white pepper. It was good anyway!
I happened upon this recipe last night and I am so glad that I did! The only ingredient I was lacking was the white pepper, but other than that, I followed the recipe. My husband and I absolutely loved it. We are from the deep south, and we paired it with some purple hull peas, sliced up home grown tomatoes and fresh peppers. I look forward to discovering more of your delicious recipes!
Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it!
I bought a crock pot a year ago and while it’s convenient, I hate having my food swimming in liquid. This no-sauce, no liquid barbecue chicken intrigues me. I’m going to try this recipe and report back. PS: I just have chicken thighs and breasts.
I used this on 2 lbs of chiecken breast. I put the chicken in 2 cup of water in the crockpot on low for 6 hours, drained water and fat, shredded chicken, added onion and spices, cooked an additional hour on low and served. Amazing! A new family favorite! I made a big batch of the spices so I can just sprinkle it on the chicken each time I make it. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe!
You are so welcome. Glad your family loves it!
I taught my children ( 10,11,12 & 15) this dish. It’s very user friendly. I want them to grow up with cooking skills & to know what real good is. That just cause a label says healthy, doesn’t make it so. When you use real ingredients, then you know what your eating. They were all very proud of themselves after. It is a great dish. Now I’m going to teach my nephews
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you!
I was a bit skeptical about this recipe because I specifically bought a “stew chicken” from the farmers market yesterday and I was worried it would be too tough. After reading through the recipe and comments, I took a leap of faith, believed in George saying “no liquid necessary” and threw it all in my Crock-Pot. Upon coming home, I tested the chicken and it was ready to eat. My chicken was done in about 4 hours and even my hubby, who doesn’t usually like chicken, loved it. I will definitely make this again!
The crock-pot works wonders, huh? I’m happy both you and your husband enjoyed the meal.
Thought I bought a whole chicken, but it’s all drumsticks (don’t ask, I’m new at this). How do I modify this recipe to accommodate? Thanks for any insight. Still learning. Love your site, eBook and positivity :-)
Good question. I would just approximately how much less chicken you have and cut the recipe in half, if the drumsticks measure out to be around half of what you would normally have with a whole chicken.
Yum! I’m getting some pastured whole chickens next week and managed to save a Vidalia onion.
That’s so awesome. Let me know how the chicken turns out.
George, I have to send a huge thank you for this recipe. I have been vegan for the past two years, but have decided to start eating meat again. I used this recipe as my re-induction. It is SO good.
Doesn’t it feel like you just became ALIVE? :) Glad to have you back.
Pretty good! I made this with 6 chicken breasts rather than a whole chicken. I felt it needed more salt/pepper and the chicken was dry in the end, but then I shredded the breasts and mixed it all together which was great – all of the liquid got mixed back in with the chicken and the onions added great flavor. Crazy easy meal with lots of leftovers – perfect.
It was dry because of the breasts, the recipe is designed for a whole chicken
Do you need to add any water or broth??
Nope
Yay! Figured out what to do with the whole chicken in my fridge :).
Woohoo
I just took it out of the crock pot and it is DELICIOUS!!!!!
Woohoo
Love love love this recipe! My kids Loved it too it is easy and tastes so great!! The onions were so yummy I ate them on the side.
So glad you loved it
wonderful!!
Gonna try this!! Can’t wait! :)
Hope you love it
I tried this recipe yesterday! AMAZING!!! The flavor is so delicious, and the chicken was so tender that it fell apart! Thank you so much! Will definitely be making this on a regular basis.
Awesome Sas, I am so glad you enjoyed it and will be making it regularly
Would smoked paprika work, George? I have regular but I just love the smoked version. Making this for tomorrow lunch. Excited! I expect it to be my only meal as I may consume the entire chicken (with a little help from the wife).
Sure would, it will be delicious
Loved this but the spiciness was a little much for me as I don’t have much of a palate for it. I plan to half the Cayenne next time. Something to consider if you are making this and also not big on spiciness. Still super delicious and very easy to make!
Awesome Diana. So glad you liked it and definitely leave out some spice if need be. :)
What did you do with the giblets?
Unfortunately when I made this I gave them to a friends dog
I love this chicken :D I use chili powder instead of the cayenne cos it’s what I had and use chicken broth instead of onions. (Not an onion fan lol) I cook some carrots and broccoli and mix it with the chicken and the juice from it, and it taste like noodle less chicken noodle soup! Thank you so much for these recipes. Having been gluten free for a while I was starting to get bored and these recipes are helping me to enjoy food again. :)
Oh thats awesome Gertrude, hope you love many more
I just borrowed the rub and fried some chicken breast in olive oil, put on top of a spinach salad. Awesome! Had a very hard time not eating the chicken and skipping the salad.
What about wild turkey? It seems to be drier than domestic chicken. Any thoughts?
Wild turkey is not normally good because it is so lean. When you have turkey’s that you kill yourself, most of the time you can only use the breast as there is not much meat anywhere else. So that would not work
I would argue that there is a lot of meat on the legs, but share your concerns. Ingnore my email as I sent it before noticing my comment had posted and been replied to. Thanks for your input and I will be trying more of your recipes!
Had some for lunch today. Finger licking good!
So glad you enjoyed :)
Just made this last night, delicious and so easy! Can’t wait to try the rest of your recipes, thank you for this fantastic website.
You are most welcome Jenni, I am so glad you enjoyed
Tried it this week! Couldn’t be easier or tastier :) Thanks, George!
You are most welcome Ms. Kristina :)
I am so making this!!!! YUMMY
Oh let me know how you like it
Can you do this with chicken breast? If so should I add liquid?
You can and no liquid needed as long as you put onions in the bottom
No liquid needed, the onions and chicken provide all you need, you will see
Nice spice blend, gonna try it. Question, you don't need any liquid in the crockpot for this??
Love your recipes!!
Nene
No. The onions make all the liquid you need. Trust me.