Smoked Whole Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Additional Time
1 d
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
415 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Lunch, Dinner
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Cuisine
American
Smoked Whole Chicken
Description
This recipe begins by creating a brine using boiling water dissolved with kosher salt and sugar, combined with peeled and chopped carrots, onions, garlic cloves, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. After cooling and mixing with ice water, the brine is chilled below 40°F before submerging two whole chickens to soak for at least 8 hours or up to one day. This step infuses moisture and flavor into the meat.
Smoking is done at a low temperature of 225°F to 250°F, which slowly cooks the chickens and allows smoke to penetrate the meat, adding depth in taste and aroma. The chickens smoke for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, or until their internal temperature reaches 160°F, which ensures safe consumption.
Once removed from the smoker, the chickens rest for around 5 minutes before serving, allowing juices to redistribute and yield juicy meat. This method is effective for creating moist smoked chicken with enhanced flavor from the brine and smoking process, suitable for a backyard cookout or special meal.
Ingredients
- 2 whole chicken
For the Chicken Brine
- 1 gallon water ice cold
- ¾ cup kosher salt
- 1/3 cup sugar brown or white
- 2 carrot peeled and cut into pieces, large
- 2 onion peeled and cut into pieces, medium
- 6 garlic peeled and cut in half, cloves
- 3 bay leaf
- 1 Tbsp black peppercorns
Instructions
- To prepare the brine, bring 1 quart of the water to a boil, add the salt and the sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the chopped vegetables and spices and remove from heat. Cover and let cool. Mix with the rest of the ice cold water. The resulting bring must be below 40F when adding chickens.
- Add the chicken(s) to the brine and refrigerate for at least 8 hours and up to a day.
- Preheat your smoker to 225F - 250F. Try keeping the temperature closer to 225F. Smoke the chicken(s) until the internal temperature reaches 160F, about 2.5 - 3 hours.
- Remove the birds from the smoker and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 415 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 415kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 164mg | 55% |
| Sodium | 1319mg | 55% |
| Potassium | 400mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1615IU | 32% |
| Vitamin C | 5.3mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 43mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2.8mg | 16% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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