BBQ Ginger (Ale) Whole Chicken In The Crockpot

Here’s what you need

• 1 whole chicken, rinsed and patted dry
• Half an onion, sliced
• 1 cup ginger ale 
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled left whole 
• 1 spring of fresh rosemary, or a tsp dried rosemary 
• 1 1/2 tsp salt divided 
• 1/8 tsp pepper
•  1 tsp ground paprika (not pictured) 
• 2 cups of your fav bbq sauce 

Slice up half an onion and layer your crockpot with the slices. 

Stuff your chicken with the 4 garlic cloves (peeled and whole), the rosemary spring and 1 teaspoon of salt. 

Place the chicken in the crockpot.

Sprinkle the outside of the chicken with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon of paprika and 1/8 tsp of pepper.

Now pour 1 cup of your favorite ginger ale (not diet) around the chicken. 

Next, pour 2 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce on top of the chicken.

Cook on low in a crockpot for 8 – 8 1/2 hours. Here I’m using a large chicken, 5.5 pounds, so I set the timer for 8 1/2 hours. 

The result is the most moist and delicious chicken! 😋 (added bonus… I had cooked chicken on hand for meal prep for days) 

I made the following with this chicken…

1. Chicken pieces with sides 
2. Chicken Soup
3. Chicken salad sandwiches 
4. BBQ chicken sandwiches 
5. Chicken Cesear salad

If I can offer a tip here. After cooking and once  your chicken is cooled, separate the pieces and or shred it and separate the portions in airtight zip lock bags. You can freeze the portions if you like. The effort here will save you much time in the kitchen later. I know some days I have more energy than others. On days I am just not feeling my usual cook/chef self I know I have my main ingredient already cook and ready to star in whatever I’m making that day. It really is a delish, economical and convenient way to go with a whole chicken, trust me! 

Sending you lots of love and joy,   g.