Smoked Whole Chicken On A Pellet Grill

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This smoked whole chicken is the perfect addition to any backyard barbecue. Seasoned with a blend of spices and smoked over low heat, this chicken is juicy, flavorful, and sure to be a hit with your guests. So fire up your pellet grill and get ready to enjoy some amazing smoked chicken!

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A closeup of a smoked whole chicken in an upright stand.

Summertime is all about grilling out with friends and family. There's nothing quite like socializing outside with the smell of meat cooking on the grill.

This summer, take your backyard grilling up a notch. Try smoking a whole chicken on your pellet grill! Not only is it a show stopper, but it's also super easy to do, and you will get incredibly juicy chicken.

This smoked whole chicken is a family favorite. It's juicy, delicious, and an affordable way to make dinner for your entire family.

Pellet grills are easy to use and are one of the best ways to cook chicken at home. They give the chicken a smoky flavor that is unmatched by any other cooking method. If you have never tried smoked chicken, you are in for a treat.

Be sure to try my Smoked Beer Can Chicken too!

If you are looking for more Smoker Recipes, be sure to try my Smoked Prime Rib Roast Recipe on Pellet Grill , Smoked Brisket, Smoked Pork Chops, Smoked Pork Tenderloin, Double-Smoked Ham, Smoked Leg of Lamb, Smoked Chicken Thighs, Smoked Bacon-wrapped Perogies, and Smoked Burgers.

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A prepared whole chicken ready to place on the grill.

❤️ Why you will love this recipe

Pellet grills are one of the best ways to cook chicken. The temperature is even throughout the cooking process and is easy to control.
Smoking chicken on a pellet grill makes it super juicy, moist, and SO flavorful.
A whole smoked chicken is an economical way to feed your family or a large group of people. I buy chicken when it goes on sale. It's always great to have one or two in the freezer!
Smoking a chicken is a great way to give it fantastic flavor. It is WAY better than a rotisserie chicken from the store.
Easy to make.
Hands-off cooking. Set the temperature on the electric smoker and forget it. No turning or flipping is required.
The chicken is never charred or dried out like it can be when cooking it on a gas grill.

👩🏻‍🍳 More smoked chicken recipes

❓ Do you have to brine chicken before smoking?

No, it is not a requirement for this smoker recipe that you first brine your chicken. That is an optional step in the cooking process that we will skip. The instructions here are only for an easy recipe on how to smoke a whole chicken; therefore, we will not be performing anything too complicated.

🪵 The best wood pellets for smoking chicken

There are many different types of wood pellets available, and each type has its own unique flavor. In addition, you can even mix pellets to get different flavor combinations.

Hickory or competition pellets will give your chicken a stronger smoky flavor, while apple wood or cherry pellets will add sweetness to the meat.

Similarly, pecan pellets will give your chicken a nutty flavor, while mesquite pellets will add a touch of spice.

Ultimately, the best wood pellets for smoking chicken are the ones that best fit your preferences. So experiment with different wood pellets until you find the perfect combination for your next smoked chicken recipe.

🐔 What is the best size chicken for smoking?

When it comes to smoking chicken, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best size chicken for smoking depends on several factors, including the type of smoker you are using and if you have an upright chicken holder or not.

You can place the chicken upright on a holder, lay it down flat in an aluminum pan, or put it directly on the grill grates. Just make sure that your smoker is big enough for the method you plan to use.

I prefer a medium-sized bird so that I can have leftovers to use for quick meals later in the week. I like to use a three to four-pound chicken for my family.

However, if you are cooking for more than a group of four, consider smoking two or three chickens at a time, depending on how much room you have in your smoker.

Ultimately, the best size chicken for smoking is the one that best fits your individual needs and preferences.

⏱️ How long to cook a whole chicken on a pellet grill?

While the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the bird, as a general rule, it will take about 1 hour per pound to cook a whole chicken on a pellet grill.

To ensure that the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the bird's internal temperature before serving.

This whole chicken recipe takes 3 hours at 250 degrees F for a 3-pound chicken, or until it reaches 165 degrees internal temperature in the breast and 175 degrees in the thigh. A 5-pound chicken will take approximately 5 hours.

🍗 Ingredients

Only a few simple ingredients are needed for smoking chicken. They are easy to find at any grocery store.

Chicken. I used a 3-pound whole bird.
Olive oil. I used olive oil on the skin of the chicken to keep it from drying out.
Dry spice rub for chicken. I used my homemade chicken rub that contains brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, roasted garlic and pepper seasoning, chili powder, seasoning salt, and black pepper. Feel free to use your favorite dry rub or poultry rub.
Garlic cloves.
Fresh lemons.
Fresh limes.

See the recipe card for quantities.

🔥 How to Prepare a Chicken for Smoking

When preparing a chicken for smoking, you need to take a few key steps.

The first thing you should do is prepare your smoker or grill according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Preheat the smoker to 250 degrees F. Make sure you top up the pellet grill with wood pellets. My personal favorite is the Competition blend and hickory wood pellets.

Next, remove the chicken from the package. Rinse the chicken inside and outside with cold water and dry with paper towels.

Place the chicken on a plate or platter. Brush olive oil all over the outside of the chicken. You can use your fingers if you need to. The oil helps keep the chicken moist, so it doesn't get dried out.

A brush applying olive oil to the outside of the chicken.

Next, if using a homemade dry spice rub, mix the ingredients with a spoon in a small bowl.

Coat the outside of the chicken with the spice rub. Make sure it covers the entire chicken.

A spoon applying spice rub to the outside of the chicken.

Cut the lemon and lime into slices and place on the upright grill rack (if using) or in the roasting pan (if using).

Alternatively, if you are placing the chicken directly on the grill rack, place the garlic cloves, lemon, and lime slices inside the chicken cavity.

Sliced lemon and lime with garlic on the upright roasting rack.

Next, place the chicken on the stand if using a chicken stand. I like to put the stand on a baking sheet for ease in carrying the chicken out to the grill.

Make sure the entire chicken is coated with the spice rub, even under the chicken legs. Use your hands to push the rub into the chicken.

A hand applying spice rub under the chicken wing.

If you are not using a stand, place the chicken breast side up in a pan or roaster big enough to fit the chicken.

Use butcher twine to tie the legs together and tuck the tips of the chicken wings behind the shoulder joint. This will help keep them in place while cooking.

💨How to smoke a whole chicken on a pellet grill

Place chicken on the grill grate.

A whole chicken placed on the pellet grill upright in a stand.

Place a temperature probe into the thickest part of the breast meat and the thigh. Close the lid of the smoker.

Temperature probes placed in the chicken on the pellet grill.

When the internal temperature of the breast meat reaches 165 degrees F and the internal temperature of the thigh meat reaches 175 degrees, the chicken will be cooked.

If desired, brush the whole bird with bbq sauce during the last few minutes.

Remove the chicken from the grill, slice with a sharp knife, and serve with your favorite sides.

Enjoy! 🙂

HINT: All chickens cook differently, and all pellet grills cook differently. If the chicken is done earlier, just shut the grill off and cover it with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. You can also place it in the oven on the keep warm setting.

🔪 How to serve smoked chicken

There are many different ways to serve smoked chicken; some great options are:

Place sliced smoked chicken on top of a salad or taco bowl.
Shred the chicken and serve as a filling in tacos or burritos.
Use the chicken on pizza or sliders.
Finally, serve sliced straight off the grill with your favorite side dishes.

No matter how you choose to enjoy your smoked chicken, it will be a hit!

📖 Variations

Change the flavor of the chicken by changing the bbq rub ingredients.

Spicy - add chili pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to imbue heat into the dish.
Sweet - add extra brown sugar to the spice rub
Saucy - Brush on barbecue sauce during the last 30 minutes of the cooking time.

Note: Sugar will turn a dark color on the chicken as it cooks. If you don't want a lot of dark colors, leave the sugar out.

Also, be sure to check out my Smoked Pineapple Stand Chicken Recipe - you will love it!

🍽 Equipment

Smoker: Our smoker is an electric Pit Boss smoker 8-1 grill that uses 100% wood pellets. I have also used a Traeger pellet smoker that also worked great.

Wood pellets: We like the Competition Blend, Hickory Blend, and Applewood Blend.

High-quality temperature probe: This is a must-have item if you own a smoker. I invested in a digital meat thermometer as soon as we bought the smoker; it's an absolute necessity! My favorite one is the Thermapen ONE by ThermoWorks.

🌡️ Storage

Fridge: Leftover smoked chicken can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Leftover smoked chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.

If you have lots of leftovers, slice up the chicken and place it in a Ziploc bag, and pop it in the freezer for meal prep for school or work lunches.

💭 Top tips

For best results, cook with the thermometer, not the clock. All grills cook differently, and there are so many variables that play a part in the cooking time, such as weather, different types of grills, the temperature of the smoker, etc.
Use your fingers to get the spice rub underneath the wings and in all the tricky spots.
Insert lime and lemon slices inside the chicken in the roasting pan for the ultimate flavor, which also helps keep in moisture.
Sprinkle your favorite seasoning on the sliced lemons and limes for extra flavor and aroma. We used dried oregano.
If you like nice crispy skin, turn the smoker up to a higher temperature during the last few minutes of the cooking process.

🍗 What to do with leftover chicken?

If you are lucky enough to have leftover chicken, use it in any recipe in which you would use a rotisserie chicken. The flavor of the smoked chicken elevates any recipe. Some of my favorites are:

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do you have to spatchcock or butterfly the chicken before you smoke it?

No, you do not have to spatchcock or butterfly the chicken before you smoke it. You can simply put the chicken whole on the smoker.

What kind of pellets are good for smoked whole chicken?

The most popular pellets for smoking poultry are apple wood, maple, cherry, pecan, Competition blend, and hickory. Make sure to choose a pellet appropriate for your smoker.

How many hours to smoke whole chicken?

There is no definitive answer to this question. It will depend on the size of your chicken, the type of smoker, and the temperature and humidity levels in the smoker. Generally, it will take around 1 hour per pound of chicken, so approximately 3 hours for a 3-pound chicken. A smaller chicken will cook in less time. The chicken will be fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F in the breast.

🥗 Side dishes

If you’ve tried this Smoked Whole Chicken or any other recipe, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!

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📋 Recipe

📑 Food safety

Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat.
Wash hands after touching raw meat
Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
Never leave cooking food unattended

Comments

Addie

May 20, 2022 at 9:29 pm

This smoked chicken truly has the best flavor! It’s hearty, savory and perfect for family dinners.

Elizabeth

May 18, 2022 at 11:20 am

I actually didn’t know what a pellet grill was so this was super helpful! I learned so much!

Nancy

May 18, 2022 at 9:23 am

My boyfriend made your chicken recipe and I used tofu, with your homemade spice rube we both agreed that your recipe is amazing!

Jere Cassidy

May 18, 2022 at 8:54 am

I don't have a pellet grill but spatchcocking the chicken works well on my grill. I prefer buying whole chickens just so I have leftovers. Love the spice rub.

Kayla DiMaggio

May 18, 2022 at 7:59 am

This smoked whole chicken was amazing! Loved the flavor that the pellet grill gave!

- Jeri
  
  May 18, 2022 at 8:16 am
  
  Thank you for trying our smoked whole chicken, Kayla! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the flavor! 🙂