How to Smoke Whole Chickens

You can season and stuff your smoked chicken with the herbs, spices, and vegetables of your choice.

It is fairly easy to smoke whole chickens in most smokers. Ideally, you'll want to choose a whole chicken that weighs between 2 and 3 pounds and season it well before you smoke it. The recipe below calls for a lime and bourbon marinade, but you can also create your own marinade recipe to make a mouthwatering chicken dinner.

Things You'll Need

• Whole chicken, 2 to 3 pounds
• Electric or charcoal smoker
• Seasonings of your choice (grill seasoning is great, so is Cajun seasoning)
• Onions cut into chunks
• Celery cut into chunks
• 1/3 cup bourbon (optional)
• 1/3 cup lime juice (optional)

Instructions

1. Start your charcoal in a charcoal smoker or turn on your electric smoker to high to let it heat up.

2. Make sure your chicken is totally defrosted before you put it on the smoker.

3. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Don't forget to remove the giblets from the inside cavity of the chicken.

4. Season the chicken with your favorite seasonings. For a rich and tangy marinade, mix together 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup lime juice and 1/3 cup good whiskey or bourbon in a spray bottle. Spray the outside of the chicken with this mixture and then lightly season the chicken with salt and pepper.

5. Place some of the onions and celery inside the chicken's cavity for more flavor. You can put fresh herbs in too if you want.

6. Put the chicken breast-side up on the hot grill and reduce the heat to medium.

7. Frequently spray the chicken with the whiskey mixture (if you're using it).

8. Allow the chicken to come to about 100 degrees (measure in the thigh, don't touch the bone) before you turn your electric smoker to the smoke setting.

9. Allow the chicken to cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the chicken and your particular smoker. The temperature of the thigh meat should reach 170 degrees before you take the chicken off the smoker.

10. Remove the chicken from the smoker and tent it to keep it warm. Let it stand for at least 10 minutes before carving. Now enjoy your smoked chicken.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow the chicken to come to about 100 degrees (measure in the thigh, don't touch the bone) before you turn your electric smoker to the smoke setting.

• Make sure your chicken is totally defrosted before you put it on the smoker.