Smoked Whole Chicken

Smoking a whole chicken can result in a deliciously tender and flavorful dish that will impress your guests and satisfy your taste buds.

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Smoking involves slow-cooking the chicken over indirect heat, infusing it with smoky flavors, and creating a moist and juicy texture. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or a beginner looking to try something new, smoking a whole chicken can be a rewarding culinary adventure.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basic steps and techniques of smoking a whole chicken to help you achieve mouthwatering results.

What does smoking food mean?

Smoking is the process of flavoring, browning, cooking, or preserving food by exposing it to smoke from burning or smoldering material, most often wood.

There’s evidence that humans have been smoking since paleolithic times, 3.3 million years ago. So, safe to say it is not a new art.

However, new technology has made smoking easier with smokers that can maintain specific temperatures for long periods of time. This allows us not to check on temperatures as often, and the finished product will be done faster because it is in a closed environment and can’t lose heat.

The key to good smoking is that you can not rush the process. Be patient! Always use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. It is done when it’s done. There is no rushing the process.

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Why smoke meats?

1. Flavor: Smoking adds a unique smoky flavor to the chicken that other cooking methods can’t replicate. The slow cooking process allows the wood chips or charcoal flavors to penetrate the meat; the finished products turn out extra tender, juicy and flavorful.
2. Moisture: Smoking helps retain the chicken’s moisture, producing a succulent and tender product. The low and slow cooking method prevents the chicken from drying, resulting in a juicy and flavorful dish.
3. Versatility: Use smoked whole chicken in various recipes. It is incredibly versatile.
4. You can enjoy it as the main course, use the leftovers in salads, sandwiches, or soups, or even incorporate it into other dishes like tacos or pasta.
5. Impressive presentation: Smoking a whole chicken can create a unique centerpiece for your meal. The golden-brown skin, infused with smoky flavors, is visually appealing and makes an attractive presentation when serving guests.
6. Cooking experience: Smoking a whole chicken can be a fun and rewarding cooking experience. It allows you to explore different wood chips or charcoal flavors, experiment with rubs and marinades, and develop your skills as a pitmaster. It’s a great way to learn about what you like and enjoy the process of creating a delicious meal.
7. Tenderize: You can even smoke a generally tough piece of meat with a lot of connective tissue to tender perfection, such as; Pork.

What you need

For the rub

• Roasting hen – Choose a fresh, high-quality whole chicken. Look for a bird that is of good size and free from any signs of spoilage. Ideally, opt for organic or free-range chicken for the best flavor. You can use a frying chicken, too, but the roasters have a delicious flavor.
• Brown sugar – dark brown sugar is our favorite because it has more molasses but light brown will also work.
• Kosher salt or sea salt
• Poultry seasoning
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Chili powder

For the optional sauce

• Pineapple juice
• Brown sugar
• Salt
• Cornstarch
• Chili powder

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How to make it

The rub

Start the smoker and get it preheated to 225°F/ 100°C. Add pellets or wood. Do not forget to add the water. Let chicken rest on the counter until the smoker is ready, up to 45 minutes to remove the chill from the refrigerator.

Once the smoker is heated, place the chicken on the smoker rack, breast side up. Insert a probe if your smoker has one in the thickest part of the thigh.

Close the door and be patient. Our 6-pound bird whole took 4 hours. The 9-pound spatchcocked bird took 3½ hours. (Yes, we found a couple of large birds.)

For the optional sauce

If you don’t want to make the pineapple sauce use your favorite bbq sauce.

What if I don’t have a smoker?

You can still enjoy smoked meats if you don’t own a smoker. You can use your grill to smoke. Set up your grill so that the fire is only on one side. You will place the meat on the side of the grill without a direct flame (indirect heat). This is called indirect cooking.

Add soaked wood to a metal tray (we use a disposable foil pie plate or bread pan). Add another metal tray with water. Place water and wood chips on the side of the grill with the fire. Remember to fill the water if it runs out.

You can also create a similar setup for your oven in a pinch or in the winter.

What’s the best wood to use

When smoking fish and poultry, we prefer using mild-flavored wood. Applewood, cherry, pecan, alder, maple, and peach would all be good choices.

Avoid hickory or mesquite unless you like a smoky flavor; these woods tend to overpower the meat’s delicate flavor.

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What to do with leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. For longer storage, store in freezer bags or vacuum packs. Frozen leftovers will last about 4 months.

The leftover smoked whole chicken is great in so many different dishes.

1. Sandwiches and Wraps: Shred or slice the smoked chicken and use it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps. Add fresh vegetables and your favorite condiments, and enjoy a delicious smoked chicken sandwich.
2. Salads: Chop or shred the smoked chicken and toss it into salads for added protein and flavor. It works well in green salads, grain salads, or pasta salads. Combine it with fresh vegetables, greens, and a tasty dressing for a satisfying meal.
3. Chicken salad: Chop the meat. Add celery, onion, and /or carrots. Dress it with mayonnaise and spices like celery salt or seed, black pepper, salt, and parsley.
4. Tacos or Quesadillas: Use the smoked chicken as a filling for tacos or quesadillas. Warm up some tortillas or use them to make crispy quesadillas with melted cheese. For a flavorful meal, top with your favorite toppings like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
5. Quiche: Add the meat to an easy quiche for breakfast or brunch, like this leftover chicken and bacon quiche.
6. Soups and Stews: Add the shredded smoked chicken to soups for an extra depth of flavor. It works well in chicken noodle soup, chili, or even creamy chicken and vegetable soup. The smoky notes infuse the broth and make for a comforting and hearty dish.
7. Pies: Use it for savory pies like chicken pot pie.
8. Pizza or Flatbreads: Use the smoked chicken as a topping for homemade pizzas or flatbreads. Combine it with your favorite cheese, vegetables, and sauces for a unique and delicious pizza creation.
9. Pasta Dishes: Incorporate the smoked chicken into pasta dishes like fettuccine Alfredo, carbonara, or primavera. The smoky flavor will add a delightful twist to your favorite pasta recipes.
10. Chicken Salad: Combine the shredded smoked chicken with mayonnaise, diced celery, chopped onions, and your choice of seasonings to create a flavorful chicken salad. Enjoy it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps, or serve it over a bed of greens.

Pro tips for your success

• Remove chicken from the refrigerator about an hour before you are ready to smoke.
• Preheat the smoker.
• Do not rush the process. Smoke it at 250°/ 120°C. Be patient.
• Smoke until thigh temperature is at least 175°F / 100°C.
• Baste sauce on the last hour or so, so that the skin stays crispy and doesn’t get soggy.
• Let the chicken rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
• If you’d like, you can use a spatchcock chicken; it will cook faster. To spatchcock the chicken, turn it over, breast side down. Cut along both sides of the backbone with a sharp knife or a pair of kitchen shears. Open up the bird. Score the breastbone With a sharp knife so the bird lays flat.
• We used a roasting hen for this recipe. If you want to use a fryer, we suggest brining it first. Brine in a mixture of salt, water, and acid such as lemon, lime, or pineapple juice and spices of your choice.

More recipes for your smoker

• Venison backstrap
• Beef brisket
• Mac and cheese
• Smoked potatoes
• Catfish
• Chicken wings
• Rabbit
• Pheasant
• NY strip loin
• Pork spareribs
• Venison brisket

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What side dishes to serve with smoked chicken

• smoked potatoes
• smoked mac and cheese
• casserole Marie Blanche
• canned beets
• smoked pineapple
• grilled potatoes

Helpful tools

• pellet smoker
• chef’s knife
• 2 cup glass bowls
• saucepans

This smoked whole chicken recipe is incredibly moist, juicy, tender, and utterly delicious! Give it a try; you won’t be sorry.

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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today!

Enjoy. And have fun cooking!

📖 Recipe

Originally published August 29, 2022.

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