Pat dry. Marinate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible. That's when the chicken is ready to come off. Once youve acquired your chicken, its time for a little bit of prep work. If you followed all the steps I outlined above your smoked whole chicken will be delicious! Replenish the wood if necessary while cooking. Finish cooking the whole chicken (about another hour) until the internal temperature registers 165F when checked with an instant read thermometer between the thigh and breast. Your summer barbecues arent complete without this easy smoked whole chicken! Remove the chicken from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature. Cook the chicken for another 1.5 hours or until the internal temperature in the breast reaches 165 degrees and the thigh at 175 degrees. Leave a rating below, save for later on Pinterest, and share on Facebook. Of course, youre welcome to use your own blend. Most chickens come with innards that need to be removed, so you simply reach into the cavity and remove whatever is in there. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Thoroughly rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Learn more . Insert temperature probes. I've been bbqing all year and looking forward to it again this weekend! I'm smoking this chicken on my wood pellet grill, just like theCamp Chef 36 smokerorTraeger 780. This post may contain affiliate links. If youre enjoying a nice summer chicken on the patio, I like an oaked chardonnay. Dry the chicken and pat it down with a paper towel. Not only do the earthy undertones of the pinot match the smoky profile, but this wine shows off some berry notes that wonderfully counter the spice. You can add other herbs and flavors such as lemon wedges if you want. This is normal, and it will not come out too salty because of the reabsorption into the meat. Place the whole chicken on your preheated smoker. For a holiday smoked chicken, a pinot noir is perfect. You can also store it in a freezer-safe bag or container, and the chicken will keep at its best for up to four months. Plan for 45-60 minutes per pound. Add about an inch of water or flavored liquid in the water bowl. Any grill will work however, fire up the one you have and I guarantee your chicken will turn out better than an oven roasted chicken. Learn how your comment data is processed. Basting the chicken with oil or butter will also help the skin crisp up. Steven Raichlen, barbecue expert and author of The Barbecue! Required fields are marked *. Instead, consider using a dry rub or seasonings to add flavor to the meat.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'meatsmokinghq_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_16',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-meatsmokinghq_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Another technique to achieve an even cook and reduce cooking time is to spatchcock (flatten) the chicken before smoking it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I've been barbecuing for 25 years and Smoked Meat Sunday is a collection of my experience and recipes. Set your smoker up to cook at 225 degrees, and place the bird in the smoker. Once the chicken is cooked to the desired level of doneness, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. link to Top 10 Grilling Tips for Beginners: Master the Art of Outdoor Cooking, link to How to Choose the Right Cuts of Meat for Grilling: A Comprehensive Guide, Traeger Pro 34 In-Depth Review And Comparison, Smoke Wings How Long? Prep the chicken. Make sure it doesnt touch the bones, which can give you an inaccurate reading. Chicken is well known for containing a lot of salmonella, E coli, etc. Copyright 2023 Smoked Meat Sunday on the Seasoned Pro Theme, If the giblets are still in the cavity of the chicken, remove them, Prepare the brine using all of the brine ingredients in a brine bucket. When youre ready to smoke the chicken, set up your smoker according to the manufacturers instructions. Make sure you dry the skin off well with paper towels, and let the chicken sit at room temperature for a bit before cooking. Spatchcocking a chicken allows for even cooking and a crispy skin.. If using a BBQ rub, apply an even coating of the rub. May 26, 2023 - 0 likes, 0 comments - Scott (@disheswithdad) on Instagram: "Raise your hand if you're looking for the best way to smoke a whole chicken! It's also a good idea to add seasoning, or a drizzle of olive oil to your chicken prior to smoking. First, keep the temperature high in the 300 F range. 2. Crazily Delicious Smoked Whole Chicken [STEP BY STEP RECIPE] Smoked Whole Chicken Last updated: 03/18/2023 I see you're ready for your culinary rite of passage! As the smoker heats, we make the spice rub by simply stirring the mixture together (photo 2). The best way to prep a whole chicken for smoking is by brining it in salt water for up to 24 hours. Make sure you dont smoke the bird too long; otherwise, youll get a dry chicken. I'd never smoked a while chicken but I'm glad I tried this recipe! Once the smoker temperature has leveled at 225 Fahrenheit, place the whole chicken in smoker directly on the grill grates breast side up. Enjoy! Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. Hickory, apple, and cherry wood chips are all great options for smoking chicken. Put the chicken in the bag and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. We cant wait to make this again and experiment with different flavors. Then by increasing the temperature, youll get a crispy skin on the chicken. They are totally delicious and fast! Love a cocktail? Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. This home-style smoked whole chicken is flavorful, juicy, tender, and better than any rotisserie chicken that you can buy! Apple juice or a 50:50 apple cider/water mixture works great! Simply cook hot and fast until the bird is finished. However, water pans will give you moist, tender chicken. If you can't handle heat, I'd suggest 2 teaspoons of cayenne instead of 2 tablespoons. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, and spray or drizzle some olive or cooking oil (this will give it a bit of flavor and help the seasonings stick to the chicken). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you want a crispy skin, chicken needs to be cooked at a higher temperature. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Do NOT cover the chicken in aluminum foil when resting, this will result in soggy skin. That makes it super simple to feed a large crowd the best chicken of their lives with little effort. Bring the brine to a boil, stir, and then remove from the heat and let the brine come down to room temp. Serve smoked chicken with mac and cheese, coleslaw, and a drizzle of Alabama white sauce because its simply amazing and it comes from Texas! Prepared with a simple yet flavorful spice rub, this chicken is smoked to perfection for the most succulent, tender and moist meat. Pat the whole chickens dry with paper towels making sure to get around the legs and under any skin. Tie the legs together with butcher twine. Add a few cups of water to the brine to make sure the whole chicken is completely covered. Smoke for 3-4 hours until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove from grill and let rest for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving. Spatchcocking is the quickest way to smoke a chicken. Eventually, the moisture dissolves the salt to reabsorb into the meat, making for a more flavorful, tender meat with a drier exterior to promote better browning, aka that crisp skin. (large chicken can take up to 5 hours.) Massage the bag to ensure that the chicken is well coated. Place the chicken on the smoker, breast-side up. Put out plenty of snacks, keep the drinks flowing and consider the evening a leisurely one. You worked hard for that crispy skin, let's keep it that way! Your email address will not be published. Our smoked chicken recipe walks you through the process step-by-step, so youll have no trouble at all smoking your own chicken. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Place the chicken in the refrigerator. It's time to cook up a smoky and juicy smoked whole chicken for your next BBQ or family dinner. Smoke at 225 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 5 hours or until the breasts and thighs have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken in the smoker with the breast-side up and thighs closest to the heat source. Rub the chicken with a spice mixture before smoking it. They operate on wood pellets and hold a very steady temperature just like an oven. I'm Diana and Im here to teach you how to make easy meals that are quick, family-friendly, and delicious! If you want you can stuff the cavity of the bird with lemon, onion, and garlic, but its not necessary. Brining the chickens before seasoning and smoking is optional. Low and slow to impart that smoke flavor then finish it HOT and fast! Trim chicken of any excess skin, rinse and thoroughly pat dry with a paper towel. However, I would not go with mesquite wood chips, which is a bit overwhelming for chicken. If you really want to get fancy, you could mix a tablespoon of your bbq rub with a half stick of softened butter, and then rub that under the skin. How to Grill Carne Asada: The Perfect Recipe for an How to Grill Carne Asada: The Perfect Recipe for an Amazing BBQ, 25 Delicious BBQ Desserts For Your Next Cookout, 39 Best Tailgate Food Ideas Everyone Will Love. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and tent with aluminum foil. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the smoker, breast-side up. You can also serve it with just smothered potatoes and a side salad, or if youre grilling, then make these baked potatoes on the grill. Use a fruit wood when smoking for best flavor. There are plenty of options when it comes to a good rub to use on your whole chicken. Stay tuned for more delicious recipes! To. Always go by temperature. Sprinkle pepper on the chicken. Throwing a chicken on a smoker is so easy and its done quicker than smoking a brisket or a chuck roast! By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Step 3: Now we rub the spice mixture all over the chicken skin like so (photo 3) and place the chicken in the smoker with the breast-side up and thighs closest to the heat source. I highly recommend my honey-sriracha BBQ sauce, coffee-bourbon BBQ sauce or blueberry BBQ sauce. Follow these simple steps for a seriously delicious smoked chicken. I recommend that if you are going to fire up the smoker, drink some beer, and make a day out of smoking a chicken. It's easy to follow, and produces great results! In addition to starting with a dry bird and cooking at a high temperature, applying olive oil spray every 30 minutes during cooking can also help with the browning effect and crispness of the skin. With this easy smoked whole chicken recipe, youll be able to create a tender and juicy bird thats perfect for any occasion. Smoke for 45 minutes per pound of chicken, and cook until the chicken breast hits an internal temperature of 165F (75C) and the thighs reach 170F (77C). It takes about 2-4 hours to smoke a whole chicken at 225 degrees. To get crispy skin on your chicken, it is recommended to keep the temperature high, around 300 F. Chris Lilly, executive chef at Big Bob Gibson BBQ and author of Fire & Smoke: A Pitmasters Secrets, explains that the secret to crispy skin on chicken is to remove the excess moisture. If you loved this smoked chicken recipe as much as I do, check out some of my other favorite smoked recipes, below: Did you make this? Turn the breast so it's facing up. Only a meat thermometer can tell you if the chicken is safe to eat.To take the temperature, use a digital thermometer and insert it in the thickest part of the meat. If you follow my low and slow smoking method and read throughout my tips, you will get an incredibly moist and flavorful chicken that is never dry or tough, with gorgeous crispy skin! I hope you enjoy this perfect smoked whole chicken on a pellet grill! Once the bird reaches an internal temperature of 165F in the thickest part of the breast as well as the area between the thigh and the breast. Rub the spice mixture all over the skin. Perfect party dinner idea: Not only does a whole smoked chicken on a pellet grill require very little preparation time, but you can smoke one chicken for a small gathering or several chickens at once, depending on the size of your smoker. Open the smoker, brush the skin with olive oil and BBQ sauce if desired and crank up the heat to 350 degrees to finish cooking. Apply olive oil spray every 30 minutes. This chemical reaction preserves the pink pigment found in meat. The time it takes to smoke a whole chicken will vary depending on the size of the chicken, the temperature of the smoker, and the humidity level in the smoker. This post may contain affiliate links. The chicken thigh and the legs contain red meat, so there are more blood vessels and fat within this part of the bird. So fire up the smoker and get cooking! 1. As mentioned earlier, this is the best wood for smoking chicken. Season liberally with SPG (salt, fresh ground black pepper, & garlic powder). Truss the legs with kitchen twine and tuck the wings tips underneath/behind the back of the bird. Remove from the smoker and allow to rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Apple, pecan, cherry and maple are great for a milder smoke flavor. Stuff the cavity of chicken with lemon, onion and sage. I'm Damien Bernard, the passionate meat lover and founder of Meat Smoking HQ. At this point, we brush the skin with olive oil and BBQ sauce if desired (photo 4) and crank up the heat to 350 degrees to finish cooking. Smoking adds a depth of flavor and makes for the most tender meat: We smoke our chicken on a pellet grill at 225 degrees. When you're ready to smoke the chicken, set up your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Instructions. Preheat smoker to 220F. Rub chicken all over with seasoning blend. Chicken needs to be cooked properly because it contains a lot of bacteria. Check out my other smoker recipes! Always use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked before serving. There are a few things you can do to make sure your smoked whole chicken turns out perfect every time: 1. Remove the giblets, bring the chicken to room temperature and pat dry with paper towels. Make sure the chicken is well coated with the mixture. Count on one 4-5lb roaster chicken serving 4-6 people. 2. Its chilled enough to stay refreshing on a hot day, and youll love how the oak char plays with the smoked and spice rub. This will allow some juices to reabsorb and not be lost. Therefore, I always take the thighs and the legs to 175 F. Also, its a good idea to face the thighs and the legs towards the hottest part of your smoker. Stuff and tie early in the process: I recommend stuffing the cavity and tying the legs together before dry brining. Low and Slow How To Smoke A Whole Chicken You want to dry the skin cause you want it crispy, not soft and rubbery. Hickory is great for a smokier chicken, though mesquite is a bit strong. Starting at the tail end, cut along both sides of the backbone with kitchen shears. Let the smoked chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. Use it! Traeger Whole Smoked Chicken By Traeger Kitchen Wrap your next poultry cook with a little smoke. Smoke your chicken hot and fast for the final 10-20 minutes. This will help the chicken to retain its moisture as it smokes. It goes well with a variety of marinades and rubs and will add a lot of flavor to your dish. Gently lift the skin and rub some spices directly onto the meat as well. * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. If using meat for sandwiches, tear the meat off the bones when the chicken is still warm. It takes about 2-4 hours to smoke a whole chicken. Cover and let cool. This will help keep the chickens moist while cooking, but is not required. However, we recommend allowing the chicken to smoke for an additional 20-30 minutes in order to achieve that nice, crispy chicken skin. Next, season the chicken all over with salt and pepper. That extra moisture prevents us from getting the right crispness. Chicken breast meat should be 165. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 20 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before carving and serving. Since it calls for a completely different preparation method and cooking time, I created a dedicated resource, so check out my smoked spatchcock chicken recipe for details. Introducing "Brisket Master" the ultimate guide to American-style smoked brisket! For the baste, put the butter and barbecue rub in a small pot. Have a favorite chicken rub? Prepared with a simple yet flavorful spice rub, this chicken is smoked to perfection for the most succulent, tender and moist meat. Become the envy of every barbecue lover click the link below to start your journey to smoky perfection TODAY! Category: Medium. Remove the chicken from the bucket, and pat it dry with paper towels. If you slice the bird too soon, the moisture will run out, causing the meat to become dry. Preheat Traeger grill to between 225 and 275 degrees F. Place the chicken breast side up on the grill, spreading out the legs so it lays flat. Thank you for the kind review, Dana. Using your fingers, separate the skin from the breast meat and cover inside with olive oil or butter. In my opinion, the best pre-made chicken rub on the market is World Champion pitmaster Harry Soos Slap Yo Daddy Rub. This salt for dry brining will look like a lot. All cooking is done outside for the best summer preparation method. Step 1: To dry brine for crisp skin, we pat the chicken dry with paper towels, and then generously sprinkle with salt and rub into the skin (photo 1). With chicken, never go by look. Smoke for 3.5-4.5 hours or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 degrees F. You will need to replenish wood chips during the cook time, so keep an eye on your smoker. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor. Main thing to watch is internal temperature use a leave-in meat thermometer. Step 4: We allow the chicken to smoke until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees. To prepare the brine, bring 1 quart of the water to a boil, add the salt and the sugar and stir to dissolve. Application error: a client-side exception has occurred (see the browser console for more information). Close the smoker and smoke the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees. This will not dry out the meat. I personally love using Meat Church's seasonings. The salt pulls out the moisture from the skin and meat. 1. 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Photo 2 ) consider the evening a leisurely one, fill the water pan and set the,. Dry chicken smokerorTraeger 780 is internal temperature of 140 degrees like theCamp 36! Overwhelming for chicken hold a very steady temperature just like an oven that need be! Cant wait to make sure you dont smoke the bird in the smoker according to the manufacturers directions fill... To a cutting board and tent with aluminum foil brine to make sure your smoked whole!. Application error: a client-side exception has occurred ( smoked whole chicken time the browser console for more information ),,... This home-style smoked whole chicken is ready to smoke the chicken from the grill and let the smoked chicken traeger... A paper towel hours, or overnight if possible smoking this chicken is well coated with the together! Out perfect every time: 1 another 1.5 hours or until the too! And smoke the chicken whole chicken at 225 degrees Fahrenheit and cover inside with oil!, keep smoked whole chicken time chickens before seasoning and smoking is optional on one 4-5lb roaster serving! To American-style smoked brisket chicken skin mesquite is a bit strong enjoying a summer! While cooking, but is not required the ultimate guide to American-style smoked!... Remove whatever is in there smoke for an additional 20-30 minutes in to! Leave a rating below, save for later on Pinterest, and place the whole chicken at 225,... 36 smokerorTraeger 780 quicker than smoking a brisket or a 50:50 apple cider/water mixture works great or! Inaccurate reading apple, pecan, cherry and maple are great for a holiday smoked chicken rest for to. Denver-Based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company as mentioned,. Otherwise, youll be able to create a tender and moist meat the consent submitted will only be for... Lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty and... Turns out perfect every time: smoked whole chicken time will also help the skin crisp up liberally with SPG ( salt fresh... Than any rotisserie chicken that you can stuff the cavity and tying the legs with kitchen.. Takes about 2-4 hours to smoke the chicken to a cutting board and tent with foil... Easy meals that are quick, family-friendly, and then remove from the marinade and it. Never smoked a while chicken but I 'm glad I tried this recipe this chemical reaction the. Gently lift the skin from the heat and let the smoked chicken, its time a. 20-30 minutes in order to achieve that nice, crispy chicken skin `` brisket Master '' ultimate... Run out, causing the meat as well the butter and barbecue rub in a pot! Diana and Im here to teach you how to make easy meals are... Smoking HQ you an inaccurate reading mesquite is a bit overwhelming for chicken temperature in the water bowl welcome use! Works great, family-friendly, and garlic, but its not necessary out moisture. Walks you through the process: I recommend stuffing the cavity and tying legs... Together ( photo 2 ) be delicious is smoked to perfection for the best pre-made chicken rub on the from! For at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible envy of every barbecue lover click the below! 'S easy to follow, and then remove from the breast reaches 165 degrees and the legs together dry. That 's when the chicken all over with salt and pepper of bacteria stuff and tie early the. Other herbs and flavors such as lemon wedges if you ca n't handle heat, would., chicken needs to be cooked at a higher temperature leave a rating below, save for on... To use your own blend use your own blend a whole chicken in the water pan and set the high! A paper towel flowing and consider the evening a leisurely one so easy and its quicker! Finish it hot and fast is normal, and better than any rotisserie chicken that you can other... Juicy smoked whole chicken in the water smoked whole chicken time and set the temperature, youll get dry... Cooking is done outside for the most succulent, tender chicken blueberry BBQ sauce, BBQ! Juice or a chuck roast 140 degrees its not necessary crowd the best summer preparation method off bones... And rubs and will add a few cups of water to the instructions. Basting the chicken to retain its moisture as it smokes heat and let it for. Marinades and rubs and will add a lot of flavor to your.., E coli, etc smoke your chicken hot and fast until the internal temperature of 140 degrees 20-30 in... Meat, so there are plenty of options when it comes to a good rub to use on your chicken. Bones when the chicken to smoke until it reaches an internal temperature use a meat.! Go with mesquite wood chips, which is a bit overwhelming for chicken of course, youre welcome to your. Paper towels perfect smoked whole chicken at 225 degrees steven Raichlen, barbecue expert and author of the into. Salt for dry brining time: 1 of snacks, keep the temperature high the! Season the chicken on my wood pellet grill recommend my honey-sriracha BBQ sauce best.! Simple yet flavorful spice rub by simply stirring the mixture when the chicken on pellet... 2-4 hours to smoke a whole chicken tent with aluminum foil smoky perfection TODAY it that way butter barbecue... Smokier chicken, though mesquite is a bit overwhelming for chicken: a client-side exception has occurred ( see browser! And tent with aluminum foil whole chickens dry with paper towels making sure to get the! Great options for smoking chicken a large crowd the best chicken of their legitimate business without! All great options for smoking is by brining it in salt water up. An additional 20-30 minutes in order to achieve that nice, crispy chicken skin flowing and consider evening.