Ingredients

• 1 onion, cut into 1/4-inch thick rings
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, skin removed
• 1 tablespoon melted butter, or as needed
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
• Sauce:
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Spread onion out in the bottom of a slow cooker. Whisk 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, paprika, and poultry seasoning together in a small bowl.
2. Place garlic cloves inside chicken cavity, brush chicken all over with melted butter, and sprinkle paprika mixture all over chicken. Place chicken, breast-side up, into slow cooker. Pour water into slow cooker and sprinkle liquid smoke over chicken.
3. Cook on High for 1 hour. Reduce heat to Low and cook for 8 hours. Remove meat from bones, shred meat with two forks, cut onions in half, and return meat and onions to slow cooker.
4. While chicken is cooking, whisk mayonnaise, cider vinegar, white sugar, remaining salt, remaining black pepper, and cayenne pepper together in a bowl until sauce is smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors blend, at least 1 hour.
5. Pour 2 to 3 tablespoons sauce over chicken mixture and continue cooking on Low for 1 hour.