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It's easier to smoke a chicken than you think! A wet or dry brine ensures the chicken is juicy and full of flavor. This recipe uses lump charcoal and fruit wood for the perfect smokey flavor. How to Smoke a Chicken
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Smoked Whole Chicken (Video)

It's easier to make smoked whole chicken than you think! A wet or dry brine ensures the chicken is juicy and full of flavor. This recipe uses lump charcoal and fruit wood for the perfect smokey flavor. How to Smoke a Chicken.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword how to smoke a chicken, smoked chicken, smoked whole chicken
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Off Set Smoker
  • Internal Temperature Probe

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken
  • spice rub (or salt and pepper)
  • lump charcoal
  • fruit wood
  • chicken brine

Instructions

Smoked Chicken Preparation

  • Prepare the chicken by placing it into a wet brine overnight in the fridge.
  • Remove from brine, pat dry and season with spice rub or salt and pepper. Tie the chicken together with string.

Prepare the Smoker

  • Light the lump charcoal, first in a chimney starter before adding into the side fire box. Place the lit charcoal furthest away from the grill, then add extra charcoal towards the grill. As it burns along, it will maintain temperature. Heat smoker to 275°F/135°C.
  • Insert the chicken probes in the thickest part of the breast, without touching the bone. Place chicken in the smoker, and resist the urge to open it up to peek!
  • While cooking, adjust the vents to maintain the temperature at 275°F/135°C.
  • Add 2 pieces of apple wood in the smoker on top of the charcoal, about every hour, to maintain the smoke.
  • Cook/Smoke the chicken until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 170°F/75°C at the thickest part of the breast. Takes approx about 3-½ hours, but depends on the size of your chicken.
  • Remove the chicken and cover with foil, allowing to rest for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Video