This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. I will only recommend products that I have personally used! Learn more on my Private Policy page.
I am continuing to play with my TRAEGER smoker. Chicken absorbs smoke so well.
I grabbed this recipe from the TRAEGER GRILLS RECIPE BOOK that came with the smoker. I also had grabbed a few of the Traeger prepared spices when I bought the smoker. I have to say, and this is not a paid announcement, that the Chicken spice mix is really good. I used a whole chicken for this recipe. To me there are two benefits to using a whole chicken: one, it is a lot cheaper than buying pieces of chicken and two, you can smoke the chicken for a longer period of time. Clearly, this means more smoke flavor.
Smoked BBQ Chicken
Expanding on the whole chicken comment above, when cooking pieces, I have found if trying to cook low and slow, the pieces really shrink through the smoking process. The flavor is still good but I would recommend smoking at a normal temperature – 325 degrees – as you would if cooking in the oven.
The preparation for this chicken was quite simple. I liberally spiced the whole chicken with the Traeger chicken spice mix and added lemon pepper and smoked paprika for more smoke flavor. After cooking the chicken to an internal temperature of 180 degrees, I applied BBQ sauce and turned the grill up high for just a couple of minutes. A quick digression about the internal temperature – I have really gotten away from using time to be the judge of my meats being cooked and gone to using an internal meat thermometer. It is truly foolproof.
The spicing of the whole chicken before putting on the smoker.
Spicing of the Whole Chicken Before Putting on the Smoker
The Whole Smoked Chicken just off the Smoker.
Whole Smoked Chicken just off the Smoker
The Smoked BBQ Chicken Plated.
Smoked BBQ Chicken Plated
Smoked BBQ Chicken
It is summertime and time to grill or smoke. This smoked chicken is tender, moist and succulent.
Ingredients
- 2 Whole Chickens
- 2 Tbsp Traeger Chicken Spice
- 1 Tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 Tbsp Lemon Pepper
- 1/4 Cup BBQ Sauce
Instructions
-
Prepare your smoker for the birds.
Liberally spice the chicken all over.
Place the chickens in the smoker and cook for 2 hours. In the last 10 minutes or so, brush the BBQ sauce on the top of the chickens. Turn up the heat and cook for 10 more minutes.
Let the chickens rest for 5 minutes before cutting.
Serve and enjoy!
I don’t think I’ve ever had smoked chicken. Sounds great!
Jeff, you got to try smoking your food. So many different proteins to try.