A slow roasted chicken is a classic Christmas dinner, but can be a lot of work. This Sunday Best recipe changes your notion of what it takes to get a yummy bird on the holiday table. While I was able to publish it with my own lip smacking modifications, I must give credit where credit is due. This chicken recipe comes directly from New Life Farm in Boone, North Carolina where I like to summer in the mountains.

It’s amazing in its simplicity, and yet the end result is a melt-in-your mouth, highly flavored chicken, just like the one you get from the deli rotisserie in the grocery store. If your slow cooker is large enough, jam two chickens into the pot, and have enough to jump start several mid-week meals. My newly released cookbook features ideas with what to do with all that delicious shredded chicken meat, such as Buffalo Chicken Hash, and Truffle Roasted Potatoes with shredded Rotisserie Chicken. Nothing says I’ll be home for Christmas, like seasoning these dishes with hot pepper sauce and fresh cilantro. This is what you’ll have to work with when you make this DISH OF THE DAY:

I might add that the rich broth left in the bottom of the slow cooker is the perfect ingredient to jump start soups or sauces. Place the stock into the fridge overnight. In the morning, skim off the fat layer and go to town preparing ultra-savory meals that will see you through the entire holiday season!

Without further adieu, here’s the recipe – if you don’t already have a crockpot order one, along with my book on Amazon ; )!!

Slow Cooker Rotisserie Chicken

MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS

Note: If you are going to use two chickens, double up on all the ingredients in this recipe.

6 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced, about 2 tablespoons

1 tablespoon minced onion

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon coarse pepper

1 (3 to 4 pound) whole chicken

1 fennel bulb, tops trimmed, cored and thinly sliced, about 1 cup

1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced

Mix together the garlic, minced onion, salt and pepper. Rub the seasonings all over the chicken. Place the chicken, breast side down into a slow cooker. Place the onion and fennel over the top and around the chicken. Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours. Do not add any liquid. Get to work on those mashed potatoes and green beans to serve with X-mas dinner!