Whole chickens don’t have to be intimidating! This whole smoked chicken is super flavorful, tender, moist and delicious! This recipe is easy to make and can be made on a smoker, pellet grill or gas grill. It does take some time to cook but it’s well worth it!
This recipe doesn’t have exact seasoning measurements but rather approximate amounts because each chicken is going to be a little different in size. I have included the ingredients and suggested amounts but you may use more or less depending on the size of your chicken. You will want to add a generous sprinkle of salt and seasonings on the top and bottom of the chicken.
What you need to make a whole smoked chicken:
Makes 1 whole chicken
- 1 large whole chicken – around 4-6 pounds
- Salt – around 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Black pepper – around 1/2 teaspoon
- Garlic powder – around 1 teaspoon
- Paprika – about 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to between 350 F. to 375 F. Grills and smokers fluctuate so somewhere in between this range will be perfect.
- Remove chicken from packaging and remove neck if it’s inside the internal cavity.
- Chicken should be clean but if you have any doubt then rinse the chicken and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle the chicken on tops and bottoms with salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika.
- Place on a rack that is not over direct flames. My pellet grill/smoker has a guard so I pull that shut. If yours doesn’t have that then place chicken on a cookie sheet in an area of your grill that gets the least amount of direct flame.
- I place the chicken breast side down so the juices from the thighs run over and into the breast meat but if you want a pretty chicken you can cook breast side up.
- Cook uncovered for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 F. on the thickest part.
- Once internal temperature is reached. Turn heat up to 450 F. and cook for 15 additional minutes to give the skin a nice brown and crisp.
- Remove from grill/smoker and cover with foil for 10 minutes. This gives the chicken the chance to rest and recirculate the juices.
Here are a few other whole chicken or turkey recipes you may be interested in:
- Smoked Turkey Compound Butter RECIPE HERE
- Crockpot Whole Lemon Chicken RECIPE HERE
- Herb Turkey Brine RECIPE HERE
- Herb Compound Butter RECIPE HERE
Whole Smoked Chicken
Easy and delicious smoked or grilled chicken!
Servings: 1 chicken
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large whole chicken
- Salt – around 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Black pepper – around 1/2 teaspoon
- Garlic powder – around 1 teaspoon
- Paprika – about 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to between 350 to 375 Grills and smokers fluctuate so somewhere in between this range will be perfect.
- Remove chicken from packaging and remove neck if it’s inside the internal cavity.
- Chicken should be clean but if you have any doubt then rinse the chicken and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Sprinkle the chicken on tops and bottoms with salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika.
- Place on a rack that is not over direct flames.
My pellet grill/smoker has a guard so I pull that shut. If yours doesn't have that then place chicken on a cookie sheet in an area of your grill that gets the least amount of direct flame.I place the chicken breast side down so the juices from the thighs run over and into the breast meat but if you want a pretty chicken you can cook breast side up. - Cook uncovered for 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 F. in the thickest part.Once internal temperature is reached. Turn heat up to 450 F. and cook for 15 additional minutes to give the skin a nice brown and crisp.
- Remove from grill/smoker and cover with foil for 10 minutes. This gives the chicken the chance to rest and recirculate the juices.