Max weight whole chicken in 3.5l slow cooker

[derekaulton]

What is the maximum weight of a whole chicken which may be cooked in a 3.5l slow cooker? We have just bought a Morpy Richards oval 3.5l model. the recipe book only has recipes for chicken pieces. Any good recipes gratefully recieved.

[BBWCHATT]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Search/default. asp?SearchText=slow+cooker&searchType=site&x=2 9&y=9

[shaneystar2]

I have the same cooker and it takes a large chicken comfortably .Just season it ..shove a few garlic cloves and a lemon up it's bottom bung it in and leave it on medium for six to seven hours ....it will be tender and juicy.and fall off the bones . I just put all the veg round it chopped into chunks and it all cooks in it's own juices.You can use the stock for the gravy .The only downside is that you don't get a crispy skin like you do with conventional roasting .But you can always brown it off first if you wish .

[derekaulton]

Thanks BBWCHATT for the links to recipies and shaneystar2 for the whole chicken advice. I was not sure how much air gap (if any) is needed around the chicken.
Are you any relation to shaneystar who gives the much appreciated crossword help?

[shaneystar2]

I am that person who haunts the crossword section !
I was shaneystar but changed my name and added the 2 after some troll decided it was funny to impersonate me .
But that was ages ago and I have been ss2 for a good while now .
Air gaps are a bit too scientific for me ! I'm afraid I'm a bunger in and hope for the best cook .Even if the pot is quite full with the bird etc it will cook down a bit any way . You can butter the pot first so that it doesn't stick . I usually cut all the veg into chunks sit the bird on top put the lid on and go and do something else !
I've never had a disaster with a slow cooker and have been using one for over thirty years .
this book is great and gives you loads of lovely recipes .

[derekaulton]

Thanks Shanystar

The book looks useful. There were no recipes for whole chicken in the instructions supplied with the cooker which made me wonder if there was a problem. I will adopt the 'bung it in' philosopy in future.

[shaneystar2]

I have just had a look in my book derek and there is a recipe for "Hen in a pot with Parsley Sauce " It looks very delish and consists basically of what I said in my previous post but they just make a sauce to go with it for serving up and put carrots and shallots round the bird whilst cooking it ..The recipe calls for a 4lb chicken and they are using the same size cooker as we have .
So bung it all in and enjoy !!