This is a simple combination … Once you’ve acquired your chicken, it’s time for a little bit of prep work. To help with that I always brine chicken. 2 1/2 quarts water. If you love great barbecue, you’ve come to the right place. Spatchcock chicken might be your solution. The dark red color this wood gives the chicken is another reason I like cherry wood. I put the bird on a grill rack so it’s easy to move when it’s time to take it off the smoker. 2 teaspoons cracked black pepper. Let the chicken rest 15-20 minutes before carving. While chicken is sitting, preheat smoker using your favorite wood to between 300 and 325F. In a large sauce pan combine 12 ounces of beer, a couple tablespoons of kosher salt, a little brown sugar, and two cups of water. Make sure the chicken is well coated with the mixture. Use your hands to rub it in. Just do it. For details please review the terms of the, START TRAEGERING WITH 0%* APR FINANCING - SHOP NOW, Due to Covid-19 Shipping May be Delayed - Learn More. Set your smoker to 230 to 250 degrees and smoke your whole chicken for 3 hours. It might look daunting at first but I promise this recipe is super easy. The chicken turns out incredibly flavorful, tender and juicy. It's definitely the favorite at our house and we love how it doesn't heat up the kitchen. Lemon-Brined Smoked Chicken. Spatchcock chicken might be your solution. However, if you skip brining you will get a … Starting at the tail end, cut along both sides of backbone with kitchen shears. If you want you can stuff the cavity of the bird with lemon, onion, and garlic, but it’s not necessary. Smoked Chicken – a whole smoked chicken that is super tender, juicy, and full of flavor. There are countless smoked whole chicken recipes, and this is one of my favorites. 1 … Stuff:. Christmas, Thanksgiving, anniversaries, birthdays – it is always a good time of year to eat a perfectly smoked whole chicken. One of the challenges many people face when they make a smoked chicken is dry meat. If your smoker requires preheating, preheat it. Barbecue Chicken Rub (Great for the Whole Bird) goodlifeeats.com. The smoked whole chicken is ready when the internal temp of the chicken thigh AND the breast is 165 degrees. Soak 2 cups of wood chips (we prefer Hickory) in a large bowl filled with water for at least 30 minutes. It is so tender and flavorful, you’ll want to make extra to use in salads, soups, and dinners the whole week! For the brine, bring 6 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. 5. If the giblets are still in the cavity of the chicken, remove them. 3. Close the lid and cook for 1 - 1.5 hours. After the bird has cooked for an hour at 225 turn the temperature up to 275 to finish. Light charcoal. Place the whole chicken in the smoker with 2 to 3 wood chunks spread through the hot coals. Log In to your account to view and add notes to this recipe.Don't have an account? Now, if you're smoking some ribs, or a brisket, or a big, juicy pork butt, and you want to throw in a whole chicken because, well, it's not right to waste smoker space. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Rub with the minced garlic and Traeger Big Game Rub. For this smoked whole chicken, I started by marinating the chicken in a tasty blend of dried chiles, vegetables, and spices. In a bag, combine all ingredients except chicken and mix well. Ingredients Needed For Smoking A Spatchcock Chicken. Smoked Whole Chicken Ingredients. Traeger Smoked Chicken Recipe. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Raise temp in smoker to 350 to 375F. This rub will do great on any cut of chicken, but we think it will come into its own if you are planning to cook a whole barbecue chicken. from our store, Patio Provisions, we’ll happily ship it straight to your door!. Then throughout the week we have chicken for our meals, like smoked chicken … INGREDIENTS 1 or more whole chickens 3 tbsp of rub for each whole chicken INSTRUCTIONS Preheat your smoker grill to 250 degrees F. Rinse the chicken under cold water. One of our favorite restaurants to go to near by is a BBQ place. This is a sweet rub with a bit of spice just to keep things interesting. I am a big fan of the rotisserie chicken at Costco, not only are they cheap, but they are actually taste delicious. You can overcome this challenge by brining your chicken for 6-12 hours. When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 225℉ and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes. For the brine, bring 6 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Whilst with other meats like … Continue reading "How to Smoke a Whole Chicken in Electric Smoker" It might look daunting at first but I promise this recipe is super easy. Kevin and I love smoked meats. Smoked chicken is just as about the taste as it is about the smell. Once you try it you will know and will want it smoked each and every time. Remove the chicken from the smoker, tent a piece of foil over, and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. I love great BBQ. Smoked Chicken. Submerge the chicken in brine mixture for 3-4 hours. Set your smoker up to cook at 225 degrees, and place the bird in the smoker. Sign Up. Remove backbone. Smoking is a lengthy process, it will dry out the chicken. Make sure chicken is fully submerged weighing it down if necessary. The brine is a homemade zesty Tabasco spiked brine that keeps the chicken incredibly juicy. Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram, Your email address will not be published. Click HERE to save this recipe for Easy Smoked Chicken to Pinterest!. 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt. Our smoked chicken recipes are the result of a quest for the perfectly smoked chicken; succulent, tender, with that unbeatable smoke flavor, with no hassle at the grill or smoker. 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. Smoked Meat Recipes and Tips to Help You Create Mouthwatering Barbecue On a Pellet Smoker. Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe Smoked Whole Chicken is one of the most common things we cook on our smokers because we make a few on Sunday. Using a meat tenderizer, perforate the skin of chicken. After the bird has cooked for an hour at 225 I turn the temperature up to 275 to finish. This will draw all the juices back into the bird. You may not use a BBQ thermometer, you may let the temperature creep above 250F and still get good chicken. Trim any excess skin or fat around the neck area or in and around the cavity of the bird. Make the rub and set aside. We’re going full bird! After 12 hours in the brine, remove the chicken from the bucket, and pat dry with paper towels. Close the lid and cook for 1 - 1.5 hours. THE TASTIEST SMOKED CHICKEN RECIPE. The enhanced flavor profile from the wood sends smoked chicken to a whole other level. That being said, I always add rub generously to the outside of the skin and do my best to get generous amounts of rub underneath the skin too. Generously coat the chicken on both sides with the rub. Brush the whole chicken with melted butter a … Add rub generously to the outside of the skin. Then throughout the week we have chicken for our meals, like smoked chicken tortilla soup . Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (hot or mild, whichever you prefer) 2 teaspoons garlic powder. If you’re looking for other ways to prepare a whole chicken, be sure to check out my spatchcock chicken recipe! So perfectly delicious when done right — but dry and bland when you get it wrong. This gives the juices in the meat time to redistribute, and minimize the chances of having dry meat. The only surefire method to get a good, bite-through skin is to cook the chicken at a higher temperature for part of the cooking time. Brine The Chicken. Smoked Chicken Brine. Simply put it on the chicken and get roasting! It’s fast and relatively simple from beginning to end. Don’t forget to get the cavity of the chicken as dry as possible too! The "Cookin' Cousins" share our techniques, including beer can chicken. Today we’re going to smoke a whole chicken on the pellet grill. While the … If using a side smoker box, place the lit charcoal next to the side vent door (furthest … Do your best to get generous amounts of rub underneath the skin too. I like my whole chickens to brine for 12 hours, but you will experience a juicier cook if you let the chicken brine for as little as 3 hours. Place chicken on grill and cook until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees, about 1 hour. Remove the chicken from the bucket, and pat it dry with paper towels. Score! Remove any giblets from the whole chicken and cut in half removing the back strap of the chicken. Today we’re going to smoke a whole chicken on the pellet grill. Place chicken directly on the grill grate and smoke for 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until an instant-read thermometer reads 160℉ when inserted into the thickest part of the breast. Looking for a weeknight chicken recipe? You’ve Gotta Try This Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce, Ten Minute Sweet and Spicy Shrimp – Grilled on a Traeger, 1 Whole Chicken, Giblets Removed - Free Range Organic if possible, 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. Follow this step-by-step guide for smoking whole chicken with tips on buying, prepping, brines, injections, rubs, smoking woods, and a time and temp guide. Next, stuff the cavity with the lemon, onion, garlic and thyme. Rub the seasoning over the both halves of the Please visit our "6 Secrets to Smoking Meat" page, for competitor level barbecue tips! Check out my smoked chicken tenders. Refrigerate and let the chicken sit in the brine for 3-12 hours. Put the chicken in the bag and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. I have an incredible recipe for smoked whole chicken below, but first some important information about smoking chicken. Slow cooked, smoked chicken just melts in your mouth it is the most juicy chicken you will ever eat. My Best Sweet Rub is a favorite on this site, and super easy to make at home. After the chicken has cooked, make sure you let it rest under loosely tented foil for about ten minutes. In a medium size bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Have you ever had issues with your smoked whole chicken where your dark meat was overcooked at the expense of making sure the white meat was properly cooked? And this bird comes off the smoker tasting fabulous! Click here for my full Affiliate Disclaimer, Smoked Cornish Game Hens • Smoked Meat Sunday, 10 Smoked Meat Recipes - You've Gotta Try #8 - Smoked Meat Sunday, Review: Mountain Primal Meat Co. – Purchase Organic Beef Online, A Simple Smoked Corned Beef Burnt Ends Recipe on a Traeger, Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash Cooked on a Traeger, Love Sauce? For optimal flavor, use Super Smoke if available. Smoking whole … Set your smoker up to cook at 225 degrees, and place the bird in the smoker. Spatchcock the chicken by placing chicken, breast side down, on a work surface. Perfect for BBQs or any time you want to cook a whole chicken but want to do something a little different than traditional roasting. Smoke that bird at 225 degrees until it reaches 160 degrees, then pop it into a hot (400 degrees) grill or oven for 5 to 10 minutes. It’s fast and relatively simple from beginning to end. For the Brine: Dissolve the kosher salt and brown sugar in 1 gallon of water. Place the whole chicken in the smoker with 2 to 3 wood chunks spread through the hot coals. Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe. Tender and Delicious Smoked Whole Chicken, Smoked Huckleberry Cobbler (This is Great With Blueberries Too). Click here to learn about my favorite Smoked Spatchcock Chicken recipe. I try to always wear disposable gloves when I’m handling raw meat – they’re cheap, and it gives me peace of mind knowing that I don’t have raw chicken all over my hands…. This Traeger whole chicken recipe has three main components: the dry rub used to flavor the smoked chicken, the few extra ingredients needed to actually smoke the chicken, and the ingredients needed to make a gravy from the pan drippings. Set grill up for indirect cooking at 350 degrees. Tie the legs together. I absolutely love a whole smoked chicken with a good sweet rub. The smoked whole chicken is ready when the, Let the chicken rest for ten minutes before slicing and serving. The brine I use also includes vegetables and spices to add rich flavor to the otherwise bland chicken meat. This is the easiest part of the whole experience. If you want to buy some pre-made Signature Sweet Rub (available in both small and large bottles!) Once dissolved, place the chicken in the brine and refrigerate overnight. Pat it dry and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. For the Brine: Dissolve the kosher salt and brown sugar in 1 gallon of water. Even if you are short on time and have… A great way to get dinner on the table the whole family will love. It has to be said that cooking chicken normally gets mixed responses from most people. My wood of choice for chicken is cherry wood. The finished internal temperature will rise to 165℉ in the breast as the chicken rests. While the grill preheats, remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry. 3. Spatchcocked and rubbed with a spicy seasoning blend, this whole smoked chicken is bursting with flavor. 3. The temperature inside your chicken should read 165 when done. Brining the chicken means to soak it in a mixture of water and salt to enhance … Especially if you brine it first. I don’t usually eat the skin on smoked chicken. 5. Well, I found something to top it! ... One full box of chips will last for several hours, which will be sufficient for the whole cooking time. We’re going full bird! Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe Smoked Whole Chicken is one of the most common things we cook on our smokers because we make a few on Sunday. Smoked Whole Chicken Rub. We smoke two whole chickens at a time, and they don't take any longer than a single chicken. Brining is probably the most crucial step for getting great results in this recipe. This can be accomplished by bringing up the smoker temperature to 350 F/175 C for at least an hour for a whole chicken. I was worried about getting a crispy skin on the chicken since that is one of my favorite parts, but it came out awesome. Let the chicken rest for 30 minutes before cutting into it or when it is … The chicken is first "rubbed", with a simple, dry, spice accented rub recipe and then smoked slow, with low indirect heat. Your email address will not be published. Once … Fully submerge the chicken in a brine bucket or something similar. internal temp of the chicken thigh AND the breast is 165 degrees. If you followed all the steps I outlined above your smoked whole chicken will be delicious! If you don’t brine the chicken, this could be a good alternative to keep the bird moist and juicy. Reason being is that you can take a perfectly good chicken from tender to dry in seconds. Add the broth, salt, honey, sugar, … Place the bird in a 375F oven and cook until the internal temperature is 165F. Place the whole chicken in the brine. That said, I also like pecan and hickory on smoked chicken. Chicken is a great meat to share with family because it is easy to prepare, simple to season and is loved by many. Smoked Whole Chicken recipe: If you've never tried smoked chicken, you probably want to know what's so great about it. Then it’s time to prepare your chicken brine. I let it marinate over night and about three hours before we planned on eating, my husband fired up the wood pellet grill and set it at 300 degrees. Wrap your next poultry cook with a little smoke. In a large stockpot or storage container, prepare brine by combining water and salt. I started Smoked Meat Sunday to share my passion with the world and teach people just how easy it can be to create delicious food on a pellet grill. 4. Easy Smoked Chicken is a great summer meal. Now that the chicken has brined, it’s time to add the rub. Are you ready to meet the world's simplest whole chicken recipe? 2 teaspoons onion powder. I like my whole chickens to brine for 12 hours, but you will experience a juicier cook if you let the … Traeger smoked whole chicken or chicken pieces (wings, breasts, thighs) just taste amazing when they are prepared this way. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It’s easy to follow, and produces great results! There are plenty of options when it comes to a good rub to use on your whole chicken. 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice … Smoked Whole Chicken is the holy grail of smoker recipes. While this rub is made for chicken, you can also use it on pork, steak and potatoes. Here are a few that I’d recommend if you’re looking for a good place to start: After you get the chicken seasoned, it’s time to start cooking! Ingredients Needed For Smoking A Spatchcock Chicken. Smoked Chicken. I did a whole chicken this weekend for my first real cook (After seasoning of course with some pork and bacon a couple times). Smoking a whole chicken is always a crowd pleaser, but spatchcocking it takes your cook to a whole new level. If desired, fold the wings back and under the back. Bring the brine to a boil, stir, and then remove from the heat and let the brine come down to room temp. I like it the most and will pick it most of the time. Smoke at 225-250°F until your meat thermometer reads, at the thickest part of the breast, 165°F. Believe it or not, you only need a handful of ingredients to make a Traeger smoked chicken. Place whole … Season chicken all over with your favorite BBQ rub. This smoked whole chicken recipe is perfect every time. No, this is not the Thanksgiving stuffing you are thinking about. Add the broth, salt, honey, sugar, peppercorns, rosemary and garlic, stirring to dissolve the salt. Growing up in Houston, I have had plenty of brisket and ribs in my lifetime, but I had never learned how to cook those things myself. Slow smoked, at a low temperature, the skin can become tough and rubbery. Let rest for 15 minutes before carving. Read recipe notes submitted by our community or add your own notes. Place the spices in a bowl and mix … Let marinate in refrigerator until ready to cook. Full of flavor and easy to prep for the smoker or grill. Have you ever had issues with your smoked whole chicken where your dark meat was overcooked at the expense of making sure the white meat was properly cooked? Add the chicken and allow to brine for 24 hours. Great smoked chicken recipes start with a rub! Unwrap the chicken and place in a prepared smoker. If you make a purchase through them I may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Use cherry wood for smoke flavor. If you love smoked chicken, keep reading. One of the easiest things to make on a pellet grill is a whole chicken. Brush the whole chicken with melted butter a … Place chicken in smoker farthest away from heat source, allow to smoke for at least 1 hour then rotate chicken and place it closer to heat source to help crisp skin. Add seasoning to the meat after the smoking process by brushing on a sauce such … Smoke the Whole Chicken: If you have time, put the chicken on a plate, uncovered in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to a whole day to dry out the skin. If you’re at a barbecue, most times, people don’t cook chicken as easily as they would other meat. This whole chicken is brined, seasoned with our Big Game rub, lemon, garlic, fresh thyme and mesquite smoked for some smokin' flavor. Learn how your comment data is processed. Smoked Whole Chicken typically takes about 35 minutes per pound using the method I outlined above. For chicken brine: mix all of the ingredients together in a container large enough to fit the chicken. Required fields are marked *. Coat the chicken on all sides with a small amount of olive oil. 6. 3/4 cup kosher salt. Tie the legs together using kitchen string or butcher's twine. Add a few cups of water to the brine to make sure the whole chicken is completely covered. Enjoy!