Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs / 1.3-1.8 kg)
- 1 tablespoon / 15 ml olive oil
- 1 teaspoon / 5 g sea salt
- ½ teaspoon / 2.5 g freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup / 240 ml chicken broth (low sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon / 15 ml Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the chicken, ensuring it's evenly coated.
- Place the quartered onion, chopped carrots, and chopped celery in the bottom of the crockpot. This creates a bed for the chicken and adds flavour to the broth.
- Stuff the cavity of the chicken with lemon slices, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and minced garlic.
- Place the chicken on top of the vegetables in the crockpot.
- Pour the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce over the chicken and into the crockpot.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken from the crockpot and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful chicken.
- Carve the chicken and serve with the vegetables and pan juices.