Quick Answer
Yes, you can leave the skin on chicken when cooking it in a slow cooker. The low, slow heat of a slow cooker will help render out fat from the chicken skin, leaving you with skin that is moist and tender rather than rubbery. Leaving the skin on can boost the flavor and juiciness of the finished dish.
Detailed Answer
Leaving the skin on chicken when cooking it in a slow cooker has several advantages:
Adds Flavor
Chicken skin contains a lot of fat and collagen. As the skin slowly cooks, these render out and baste the chicken, keeping it extremely moist and adding rich chicken flavor to the dish. The end result is very tender, flavorful chicken.
Aids in Tenderness
The gentle heat of the slow cooker softens and breaks down connective tissues in the skin, helping it become meltingly tender. The skin essentially braises in the moisture within the slow cooker.
Reduces Drying Out
Chicken cooked without its skin can easily dry out and become tough. The skin acts as a protective coating, keeping chicken moist and juicy even during extended cooking times.
Adds Nutrition
Contrary to popular belief, chicken skin can actually be quite nutritious. Skin contains healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Leaving it on the chicken adds to the nutritional value of the finished dish.
Tips for Cooking Chicken with Skin in a Slow Cooker
Here are some tips to ensure delicious, tender results when cooking chicken with skin on in a slow cooker:
Use the Right Cut
Skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks are ideal for the slow cooker. The dark meat stays juicier and the skin gets deliciously crispy. Chicken breasts are leaner and can dry out.
Brown First
Browning the chicken skin before slow cooking renders out some of the surface fat and creates richer flavor through caramelization.
Load up on Liquid
Having plenty of moisture in the slow cooker braises the chicken skin to perfect tenderness. Use broth, tomatoes, wine, or water.
Elevate Skin from Liquid
Use a vegetable trivet or balls of foil to raise chicken up above the liquid level. This allows the skin to crisp up while the meat gently braises.
Let it Rest
Once cooked, allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before serving. This sets the juices and further crisps the skin.
Recommended Recipes
Here are some delicious slow cooker recipes that take advantage of cooking chicken with the skin on:
Slow Cooker Chicken Adobo
Chicken thighs cooked in a rich Filipino-style adobo sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices. The sauce reduces down and glazes the skin.
BBQ Pulled Chicken
Drumsticks smoked in the slow cooker with barbecue sauce become fall-apart tender for shredding into sandwiches or tacos.
Peruvian Chicken Soup
Chicken thighs simmer with vegetables, quinoa, and Peruvian spices for a hearty and flavorful soup.
Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken thighs braise with tomatoes, wine, mushrooms, and herbs for a classic rustic Italian dish.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Chicken thighs marinated in yogurt and Indian spices turn out succulent and flavorful in this creamy tomato-based dish.
Tips for Crispy Chicken Skin
While the slow cooker doesn’t actually crisp up chicken skin, there are some tricks for achieving crunchy skin after slow cooking:
Chill Before Roasting
Chilling cooked chicken in the fridge before roasting helps the skin dry out for better crispiness. Pat skin very dry before roasting.
Rub with Baking Powder
Sprinkle skin with baking powder before roasting. The alkaline baking powder helps break down proteins for crunchier skin.
Turn Up the Heat
Roast chicken at a high temp, 450°F or higher, to get the skin nicely browned and crispy.
Watch Closely
Keep an eye on the skin when roasting. Once it crisps, remove it from the oven so it doesn’t burn.
Finish Under a Broiler
For a quick crisping at the end, pop chicken under a hot broiler for just 1-3 minutes until the skin gets crackly.
FAQs
Does chicken skin make the dish too fatty?
Much of the fat from the skin will render out into the cooking liquid during slow cooking. Skim this off before serving if you want a leaner dish. The skin itself will become quite tender with little greasiness.
Should I prick the chicken skin before cooking?
There’s no need to prick or pierce the skin prior to cooking it in the slow cooker. The gentle heat will allow steam to escape and the fat to render slowly without popping.
How long does it take to cook chicken with skin in a slow cooker?
Cooking time can vary based on cut, amount, and recipe. In general, chicken thighs and legs take 6-8 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high. Chicken breasts take 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
Can you eat chicken skin with gout?
It’s best to avoid chicken skin if you have gout, as it is high in purines which can trigger gout attacks and inflammation. Focus on lean meats like chicken or turkey breast without skin.
Is chicken skin keto friendly?
Yes, chicken skin can be part of a keto diet. It’s low in carbs, high in fat which keeps you feeling satisfied, and provides nutrients. Just be mindful of portion size as it is calorie-dense.
Nutrition Facts for Chicken Skin
Here is the nutrition breakdown for 100g of chicken skin:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 385 |
| Fat | 33g |
| Saturated Fat | 10g |
| Protein | 14g |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 105mg |
| Sodium | 110mg |
| Calcium | 14mg |
| Iron | 1mg |
As you can see, chicken skin has a good amount of protein and vitamins, alongside a high fat content. When consumed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet, it can be enjoyed as part of recipes like those made in the slow cooker.
Conclusion
Cooking chicken with the skin on in the slow cooker yields tender, juicy meat infused with rich chicken flavor. The ample moisture and gentle heat perfectly renders the skin for a soft, supple texture. While the skin won’t get crispy in the slow cooker, quick roasting at the end can achieve crunchiness. Take advantage of the benefits of leaving that skin on. Your finished chicken dish will be far more moist, delicious, and nutritious.