Smoked Spatchcock Chicken On Pellet Grill

A smoked spatchcock chicken with crispy skin on a baking sheet with a side of BBQ sauce.

4.96 from 42 votes

Smoked Spatchcock Chicken On Pellet Grill

This Smoked Spatchcock Chicken on a Pellet Grill is one of the best ways to smoke a whole chicken. Just spatchcock a chicken (I explain how to do it below), cover it in dry rub, and smoke it on the pellet grill. This gorgeous chicken is juicy with crispy skin and full of delicious smoky flavor.

Prep Time10

Cook Time1 30

Total Time1 40

Course: All Recipes, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 434kcal

Author: Jeri Walker

Equipment

Meat Thermometer

Ingredients

3-5 pound whole chicken
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Spatchcock the Chicken

Place the chicken breast side down on a cutting board or baking sheet. The easiest way to remove the backbone of the chicken is to use a pair of sharp kitchen shears. If you don't have a good pair of kitchen shears, use a sharp knife, but be extra careful. Cut into the chicken on each side of the spine and cut both sides of the backbone from bottom to top. Remove the backbone and excess skin.
Flip the chicken over and press on the breasts with the palm of your hands to crack the breastbone so the chicken lies flat.

Season the Chicken

Dry chicken with paper towels. Brush or spray olive oil over the chicken.
Mix the spice rub ingredients together and generously apply it to the entire chicken. Lift up the legs and wings to reach all the nooks and crannies.

Smoke the Chicken

Preheat your pellet smoker to 225℉.
Place chicken directly on the grill grates, breast side up, and smoke for one hour. After one hour, insert temperature probes into the thickest part of the breast and the thickest part of the thigh, turn up the temperature to 350℉, and smoke the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ in the breast.
If you want to add BBQ sauce to your chicken, apply it once the chicken reaches 160℉.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the smoker and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. If you like, serve with barbecue sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Notes

Cook the chicken for one hour at 225 degrees F, then cook by temperature once you turn it up to 350 degrees F.
Use a good meat thermometer to keep an eye on the internal temperature of the chicken.
The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the chicken and the temperature of your smoker - they all cook differently.
Let the chicken sit at room temperature while the smoker preheats - this will ensure more even cooking.

Nutrition