Slow-Cooker Whole Chicken & Potatoes With Hard Cider Gravy
Ingredients
- 1 3-4 lb organic whole chicken
- salt, pepper, granulated garlic
- 1 bottle of hard apple cider ( I used a bottle of Newtons Folly Authentic Draft Cider)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 lb baby dutch potatoes, left whole
- 2 tbs arrowroot starch (for the gravy-- NOT to be added to crock-pot)
Instructions
- Remove any giblets form the inside of your chicken's body cavity. They are usually wrapped up and can be easily removed. Wash and pat your chicken dry with paper towels. Season the chicken liberally with salt, pepper and granulated garlic on all sides. Add your seasoned chicken to the bottom of your crock-pot.
- Pour an entire bottle of hard apple cider into your crock pot and inside of your chicken.
- Place the chopped onions, garlic cloves, and baby dutch potatoes around your chicken and into the hard cider. Put the lid on your crock pot and cook on high for 6 hours or until your chicken is completely cooked through. Depending on the temp of your slow cooker this might take less or more time.
- Once you're chicken is done, gently transfer the chicken to a baking dish along with the potatoes and onions. You might need to use a slotted spoon, as the chicken will fall off the bone. Place the chicken skin side up in this baking dish.
- Set your oven to a high broil. Once it's heated, put the pan of chicken into the oven and allow the skin to get nice and crispy. This happens in 5-7 minutes or so. Once the skin on the chicken has crisped up, remove it from the oven and set aside while you make the gravy.
- In the crock-pot there should still be the remains of the hard cider cooking liquid. Run this liquid through a mesh strainer and put the strained liquid into a pot.
- Boil this liquid on medium to high heat. Whisk in a tablespoon of arrowroot starch at a time. Make sure to whisk it well so that there are no lumps in your gravy. Turn the heat down on your gravy and allow it to simmer. It should begin to thicken. Continue to whisk on and off for 10-15 minutes. If your gravy is not thickening up at all, add additional arrowroot starch a teaspoon at a time until you've reached your desired consistency. Make sure to whisk and allow it to rest in between adding more starch. Also, remember that the gravy will continue to thicken as it cools. Once your gravy reaches a good consistency, pour it into a serving dish or a gravy boat.
- Serve up chicken and potatoes with a generous helping of gravy & enjoy!
- Don't forget to save the bones. You can make this chicken broth from scratch!
