Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken

Name: Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 - 4 pounds Whole Chicken; 4 carrots (peeled and chopped into large chunks); 2 celery stalks (cut into large chunks); 1 medium sweet onion (chopped into large chunks); 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 lemon (1/2 juiced and 1/2 quartered); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 tablespoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; 2 teaspoons cumin; 1 teaspoon thyme; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 4 garlic cloves (3 minced and 1 cut in half); 2 bay leaves; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/4 cup vermicelli; 1 cup basmati (jasmine or white rice of you choice {water according to package}); 2 carrots (peeled, diced); 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Whole Chicken is tender, juicy and rich with Mediterranean flavors. Cooking whole chicken in the slow cooker is not only easy but provides you with chicken not only for one meal but to use throughout the week in your meals.

Prep20 min
Cook4 hr
Total4 hr 20 min
Makes6 servings
Calories335

Ingredients

6 servings

For the chicken:

1 - 4 pounds Whole Chicken
4 carrots (peeled and chopped into large chunks)
2 celery stalks (cut into large chunks)
1 medium sweet onion (chopped into large chunks)

For the rub:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lemon (1/2 juiced and 1/2 quartered)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 garlic cloves (3 minced and 1 cut in half)
2 bay leaves

For the jeweled rice:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup vermicelli
1 cup basmati (jasmine or white rice of you choice {water according to package})
2 carrots (peeled, diced)
1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries

Method

1
In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil and lemon juice. Set aside.
2
In a medium mixing bowl combine the black pepper, salt, garlic powder, paprika, cinnamon, cumin, thyme, cayenne pepper, and the 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir to combine everything.
3
Remove the Just BARE Young Whole Chicken from the bag and set it on a large cutting board. Use paper towel to dry the chicken off so the rub sticks to it.
4
Use a brush or your hands to rub the olive oil/lemon mixture on the entire chicken. Use your hands to rub the spice mixture over the entire chicken and on the side of the chicken. Place the remaining lemon quarters, 1 garlic clove that is cut in half and the 2 bay leaves on the inside of the chicken.
5
In the slow cooker place the carrots, celery and onion in an even layer. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables. Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and falling off the bone or reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
6
In a large pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the vermicelli and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the vermicelli is turning golden brown.
7
Add the rice, water according to the package, carrots and dried fruit of your choice. Cook the rice mixture according to package. Once the rice is done fluff the rice and serve alongside the chicken.

Notes

Feel free to use whatever rub you like on the whole chicken. Many different spice combinations can work when cooking the whole chicken in a crockpot. You can add whatever vegetables you want to the slow cooker including chunks of potatoes, green beans and squash.