SLOW COOKER ZESTY CHICKEN
This Slow Cooker Zesty Chicken is delicious!
This simple slow cooker zesty chicken recipe will make your mouth water! This easy recipe is so versatile, you can enjoy this great chicken many different ways. Delicious served over brown rice with steamed vegetables. You can also top any salad with this wonderful chicken. You might also like to check out our recipe for baked chicken thighs with rice.
Slow cooker zesty chicken makes a great main dish for any meal.
Whole chicken (can remove skin, optional)
Chicken broth or Chicken bouillon
Soy sauce
Olive oil
Honey
Worcestershire sauce
Balsamic vinegar
Sesame oil (optional)
Lemon juice
Minced garlic
Cook this great crock pot whole chicken while you are at work and come home to a wonderful meal. Easy and delicious!
Recipe feedback: “Did the 8 hours on low version yesterday. Took to “remove the skin” route and cut the honey in half (trying really hard to be good). Used some of the juice to make some couscous with browned green onions and mushrooms. It was a splendid dinner and was so very trouble-free. Thanks for the recipe.” – Tom

Slow Cooker Zesty Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken can remove skin, optional
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or 1 chicken bouillon cube dissolved in 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil optional
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
Instructions
- Wash chicken and empty cavity. Remove skin if desired. Pat chicken dry and place breast down in slow cooker.
- In a bowl wisk together all the ingredients and pour over chicken. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Spoon sauce over cooked chicken before serving.

Does it get browned like that in the crockpot or do you sear it somehow?
No, I don’t sear it first, Paula.
That looks wonderful. The best roast chicken I’ve had is where the cavity was stuffed with celery pieces, butter and onion. I’m wondering if that’d work in the slow cooker as well. The celery makes it amazingly juicy.
Good weight watcher meal too without the skin.
I am thinking about cooking the carrots and potatoes with the chicken. What are your thoughts?
You can do that, Cindy.
Hi Barbara, I have never lived in Savannah in case you are thinking I am Paula Deen. My name is Judy and I live in Kentucky. You would just have to check each recipe as it is posted for low sodium and salt.
is it ok to put the carrots in with the chicken? and if so how long
Yes, you could do that. I would just put them in when I put in the chicken.
ok thanks was great
When you say to place chicken breast side down, is to have the chicken upside down in the crock pot, correct?
Yes, place it on it’s stomach.
Made this tonight – used 2 packs of skinless boneless turkey tenderloins so 2.5 lbs. Very yummy! Thanks
Did the 8 hours on low version yesterday. Took to “remove the skin” route and cut the honey in half (trying really hard to be good). Used some of the juice to make some couscous with browned green onions and mushrooms. It was a splendid dinner and was so very trouble-free. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Tom, So happy you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment. Have a great weekend.
Definitely going to try this. I’ve been looking for a good crock-pot chicken recipe. Mine are always kind of bland :/
That looks so tender.
Looks great!! I would like to use boneless, skinless chicken breast. Do you think that would work also?
Hi Susan, I am sure it would work with chicken breasts, too.
I have never tried making a whole chicken in the crockpot. I’ve always roasted them in the oven. I’m going to have to try this recipe 😉 Looks great!