Smoked Whole Chicken

Smoked Whole Chicken is a game-changer for any BBQ enthusiast. Even as a beginner, smoking a whole chicken on a pellet grill gives you a tender and juicy chicken with delicious smoky flavor. This smoked whole chicken recipe has the perfect dry seasoning rub and works on an electric smoker, charcoal smoker or gas smoker.

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Are you looking to impress your friends and family with your smoking skills?

Look no further than this Smoked Whole Chicken recipe. If you know any barbeque and smoking enthusiasts, you have probably heard Pit Boss whole chicken and Traeger whole chicken bandied about. Let me also sneak in this smoked chicken breast for good measure!

This recipe is perfect for those who want to try smoking meat for the first time or for experienced pit masters looking to make a delicious family dinner or entertain at the next barbeque.

Speaking of delicious smoked meat, you have to try out this Smoked Pork Loin, Smoked Chicken Legs and Traeger Smoked Salmon!

A few components of a winning smoke are maintaining smoker temperature, low and slow and preparing the whole chicken properly before smoking. This can include an optional dry brine, followed by the dry seasoning rub.

This smoked whole chicken recipe uses a dry rub made with a mix of spices to add flavor and help form a nice crispy crust on the skin. However, you can check out this chicken brine if you want to go in that direction.

Finally, good quality wood or pellets will add an extra level of flavor to your meat.

This recipe works for all brands and types of smokers including Traeger, Pit Boss, Weber, Masterbuilt, Camp Chef, Yoder, Green Mountain Grills, Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, Dyna-Glo, Char-Broil, Bradley, Louisiana Grills, Char-Griller, Oklahoma Joe’s, Recteq and Primo.

Why this recipe works

Low and slow is the way to go (see what I did there) for a super juicy whole chicken. A Traeger smoked chicken is also super versatile and can be served as the main dish for a family dinner or used in a variety of dishes such as salads, sandwiches and casseroles.

A whole smoked chicken is a protein packed powerhouse! The smoke adds so much flavor, you won’t even notice how healthy you are eating!

Smoking a whole chicken on a pellet grill (or other smoker) easier than you would think. Once the chicken is all prepped, relax and let the magic happen.

This dry rub seasoning is amazing and adds the perfect depth of flavor to the meat. I love a slightly sweet and savory combo on chicken so the addition of brown sugar with bold spices is the perfect balance.

Ingredients

Smoked Whole Chicken

• Whole Chicken: Fresh or frozen.
• Olive Oil: Or any neutral oil of choice including vegetable, canola, avocado, peanut or grapeseed oil.

Optional Dry Brine

• Kosher Salt: Do not use table salt.

Smoked Whole Chicken Rub (Seasoning)

• Smoked Paprika: You can also use sweet paprika or Hungarian paprika.
• Onion Powder
• Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar. Dark brown sugar has a stronger molasses flavor.
• Garlic Powder
• Italian Seasoning
• Kosher Salt
• Cumin
• Back Pepper: Freshly ground is best if possible.
• Cayenne Pepper: Can also use crushed red pepper.

Instructions: How long to smoke a chicken

Prepare Whole Chicken

• If the chicken is frozen, defrost it in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
• Remove the giblets (if any) from the chicken cavity. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
• Use butcher twine to tie the chicken legs together.

Optional Dry Brine

• Optional dry brine for crispier skin (you can skip this step if desired).
• Sprinkle kosher salt over chicken and rub into the skin. Allow to dry uncovered in fridge for a minimum of 2 hours (or overnight).

Whole Chicken Dry Rub

• In a small bowl, mix together whole chicken seasoning dry rub (smoked or sweet paprika, onion powder, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, black pepper, kosher salt and cayenne pepper).

Season and Smoke Whole Chicken

• Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
• Drizzle chicken with olive oil and rub evenly. Sprinkle dry rub seasoning mixture evenly over entire chicken.
• Place the chicken breast-side up in the smoker or pellet grill, tucking wing tips.
• Maintaining a smoker temperature of 225°F, smoke the whole chicken for approximately 2.5-4 hours or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken breast meat reaches 165°F. The thickest part of the thigh (dark meat) should be 175°F (be sure thermometer is not touching the bone for the most accurate reading).
• If you wish to baste with barbeque sauce or want extra crispy skin, you can increase your smoker temperature to approximately 375°F for the last 20-30 minutes of the smoking process. Watch carefully so it does not burn.
• Let the chicken rest for 15-20 minutes before carving and serving.

This recipe works for all brands and types of smokers including Traeger, Pit Boss, Weber, Masterbuilt, Camp Chef, Yoder, Green Mountain Grills, Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, Dyna-Glo, Char-Broil, Bradley, Louisiana Grills, Char-Griller, Oklahoma Joe’s, Recteq and Primo.Whole Chicken Cooking Temperature:

FDA recommendation for cooking chicken is an internal temperature of 145° F (63° C). I recommend using a thermometer that measures the internal temperature of the meat as well as the internal temperature of the smoker

What wood or pellet flavors work best with chicken?

Popular types of wood flavors used for smoking meats include hickory, mesquite, apple, pecan, maple, oak, alder, cherry, peach, and pecan.

However, my favorites for smoking chicken are hickory, apple and mesquite, I love the balance of smoky and sweet to complement the flavor of the poultry.

How to prepare a whole chicken before smoking?

Start by thawing the chicken completely if it was frozen.

Use your hands to check the cavity of the chicken for the giblets, which will typically include the liver, heart, gizzard, and neck.

Carefully remove the giblets from the cavity of the chicken and set them aside for use in another recipe, or discard them.

Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

What to serve with smoked chicken

Veggies for the win I say! This roasted asparagus is an easy and quick side dish that adds some healthy flair.

Yes my friends, we cannot forget potatoes. Diced Potatoes in the air fryer, air fryer frozen sweet potato fries or air fryer frozen french fries are all easy sides. You might even check out some air fryer tater tots!

Coleslaw or a side salad always add some light and bright crunch to the party. This roasted beet salad adds a little bit of elegance.

Best dipping sauces for smoked chicken

I must admit, I am a sauce girlie. And while the smoked whole chicken is packed with smoky flavor, a little dipping sauce is always an extra bonus! Am I right?

This sweet and spicy Wing Sauce is an absolutely HIT. Another great creamy dipping sauce is this Bang Bang Sauce!

Want to get a little extra sassy, check out this Red Chimichurri for some extra herbaceous flavor.

FAQ and expert tips

Looking for other chicken recipes?

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