Can I use chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken?

Yes, you can! Chicken breasts will cook faster, so I recommend adjusting the slow cooker time to 3-4 hours on high to avoid drying out the meat. You might also want to add a bit more butter or broth to keep the chicken moist.

What type of stuffing mix works best?

Any stove top stuffing mix works beautifully, but my personal favorite is traditional herb flavor for that classic taste. You can also experiment with cornbread stuffing or even gluten-free varieties if you have dietary restrictions.

Can I prepare this recipe the night before?

Absolutely! You can chop your vegetables and season the chicken the night before, then store everything covered in the fridge. When ready to cook, just layer everything into the crockpot and start your slow cooking cycle.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is fully cooked when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C), and the juices run clear when pierced. Also, the meat should be tender and easily pull away from the bone.

Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe

Description

A comforting and straightforward Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing recipe featuring tender slow-cooked chicken seasoned with poultry spices, served with flavorful stovetop stuffing cooked in the savory chicken broth and vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

2 medium carrots diced
1 small yellow onion diced
2 medium celery ribs diced

Chicken and Seasoning

5 pounds whole chicken
1/2 cup salted butter melted
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika

Stuffing

6 ounces box stove top stuffing any flavor

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Instructions

Prepare the Slow Cooker: Add the diced carrots, onion, and celery to the bottom of the slow cooker to create a flavorful vegetable base for the chicken.
Prepare the Chicken: Clean out the cavity of the whole chicken, discarding any giblets. Place the chicken on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
Season the Chicken: Pour the melted salted butter evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle the poultry seasoning and paprika on top, then rub the seasonings and butter all over the chicken skin. Optionally, add salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on high for 6 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
Remove Chicken and Prepare Stuffing: Carefully remove the cooked chicken and set it on a platter. Cover with foil to keep warm. Drain and discard the excess liquid from the slow cooker, leaving about 1.5 cups of liquid and keeping the vegetables inside.
Cook the Stuffing: Add the contents of the stove top stuffing box into the slow cooker. Stir well to combine the stuffing mix with the vegetable broth. Cover and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
Finish and Serve: Fluff the stuffing with a fork once cooked. Slice the chicken as desired and serve alongside or place the sliced chicken back in the slow cooker over the stuffing for a beautiful presentation. Enjoy your hearty and comforting meal!

Notes

You can add salt and pepper to taste at the seasoning step if preferred.
Any flavor of stove top stuffing can be used according to preference.
Keeping 1.5 cups of liquid with the vegetables ensures the stuffing remains moist and flavorful.
Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
For a lower fat option, use unsalted butter or reduce the butter quantity.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 480 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 850 mg
Fat: 30 g
Saturated Fat: 15 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 25 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 40 g
Cholesterol: 120 mg