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Tender Slow Cooker Spring Chicken Recipe with Baby Vegetables Easy and Perfect

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A simple and satisfying slow cooker recipe featuring a whole spring chicken cooked with baby carrots and potatoes, infused with fresh thyme, garlic, and lemon for tender, juicy results.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 whole spring chicken (about 3–4 lbs / 1.3–1.8 kg)
  • 12 oz (340 g) baby carrots
  • 1 lb (450 g) baby potatoes (Yukon Gold or red)
  • 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Pat the whole spring chicken dry with paper towels. Rub the chicken all over with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with half the lemon slices, 2 sprigs of thyme, and two smashed garlic cloves. Remove any giblets if included.
  2. Rinse the baby carrots and potatoes under cold water. If the potatoes are larger than bite-sized, cut them in half. Toss them in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the vegetables evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  3. Place the seasoned chicken on top of the bed of vegetables in the slow cooker. Scatter the remaining lemon slices, thyme sprigs, and garlic cloves around and on top of the chicken.
  4. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of chicken broth gently around the chicken, being careful not to wash off the seasoning.
  5. Cover and cook on the low setting for 6 to 7 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the vegetables are tender.
  6. Optional: For a crispy skin finish, carefully transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet and broil for 3–5 minutes until golden and crisp.
  7. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve alongside the baby vegetables, spooning some of the cooking juices over the top.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Broiling at the end crisps the skin but is optional. If broth is too thin after cooking, simmer it down to thicken for a glaze. Frozen vegetables can be used but add them in the last 2 hours to avoid mushiness. The recipe is flexible with herbs and vegetables.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, spring chicken, baby vegetables, easy dinner, comfort food, slow cooker recipe, whole chicken, healthy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/tender-slow-cooker-spring-chicken-recipe-with-baby-vegetables-easy-and-perfect/