How to Smoke Whole Chickens

Smoked chicken is one of the easiest things to make on your smoker. Choose a whole chicken between 2 and 3 lbs. and season it well before you smoke and you will end up with a mouthwatering chicken dinner. Read on to learn how to smoke whole chickens.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A 2 to 3 lb. whole chicken
• Electric or charcoal smoker
• Seasonings of your choice (grill seasoning is great, so is cajun seasoning)
• Onions cut into chunks
• Celery cut into chunks
• Whiskey spray (optional)

1. Start your charcoal in a charcoal smoker or turn on your electric smoker to high to let it heat up.
2. Rinse the chicken inside and out. Don't forget to remove the giblets from the inside cavity of the chicken.
3. Season the chicken with your favorite season. As an alternative, mix together 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup Rose's Lime Juice and 1/3 cup good whiskey or bourbon in a spray bottle. Spray the outside of the chicken with this mixture then lightly season with salt and pepper.
4. 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.
5. Put the chicken breast side up on the hot grill and reduce the heat to medium.
6. Frequently spray the chicken with the whiskey mixture (if you're using it).
7. Allow the chicken to cook one and a half to two hours, depending on the size of the chicken and your particular smoker. The temperature of the thigh meat should read 170 degrees before you take the chicken off the smoker.
8. Remove the chicken from the smoker and tent to keep warm. Let it stand 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.