Ingredients :

• The whole chicken — Aim for between 1,8 and 2,3 kg. Too small, and it cooks too fast. Too big, and it won’t fit well in the slow cooker, leading to uneven cooking. A standard supermarket chicken works perfectly — no need for fancy labels for this recipe.
• Smoked paprika — This is what gives it that bakery roast taste. Smoked, not sweet, not hot — smoked. If you don’t have any, it’s really worth the trip to the spice aisle. It is irreplaceable in this recipe.
• Brown sugar — One and a half spoons, that’s all. It balances the bitterness of the spices and helps the skin caramelize under the broiler. Light or dark, it doesn’t matter — both work.
• Dry mustard powder — Not Dijon mustard — the dried, powdered version. It adds a slight tangy kick that makes the blend more complex without being able to identify exactly what it is. If you don’t have it, half a teaspoon of yellow curry can work in a pinch.