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Are you looking for a delicious and easy way to cook a whole chicken? Smoking is a great option! But, how long to smoke a whole chicken to make sure it’s cooked through? Keep reading for the information on smoking times for whole chickens that I going to guide you through in this blog!
What You Need To Know About Smoked Whole Chicken?
Smoking is a great way to cook a whole chicken, as it adds extra flavor and moisture. It can be done in either an indoor or outdoor smoker, depending on your preference. When smoking a whole chicken, you will need charcoal, wood chips for fuel, and a thermometer for checking the internal temperature of the meat.
How Long To Smoke A Whole Chicken For?
In general, whole chickens should be smoked for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours at a temperature of 250°F to 275°F (121°C to 135°C). However, the exact amount of time needed will vary depending on the size and type of chicken being cooked. It’s best to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure it has reached 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Additionally, it is important to keep the smoker’s temperature steady throughout the process and monitor the bird closely. Adding wood chips periodically will help maintain a consistent level of smoke flavor.
How Long To Smoke A Whole Chicken For? – Liliana Kitchen
How To Make Chicken Rub?
For added flavor and moisture, you can marinate your whole chicken before smoking. Try mixing together some olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper to create a delicious rub for your poultry. Let the bird rest in the refrigerator overnight before cooking it in the smoker.
Here are what you need for the chicken rub:
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
How To Smoke A Whole Chicken?
How To Smoke A Whole Chicken?
Once you’ve marinated the chicken overnight, it’s time to start smoking. Place your charcoal in the smoker, along with a few wood chips of your choice. Use tongs or an oven mitt to carefully place the bird inside and close the lid.
Set up a thermometer near the chicken and adjust the vents on your smoker as needed to maintain a consistent temperature of 275°F (135°C). Smoke your chicken for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
When ready, carefully remove the chicken from the smoker and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Ingredients For Smoked Whole Chicken
- A whole chicken (about 4 -5 lb.)
- 1 cup of chicken rub (prepared from the previous section)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Your Smoker To 275ºF
Before you begin, make sure that your smoker is preheated to 275°F (135°C).
Step 2: Season the Whole Chicken
Take the chicken out of its packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the chicken, also remember to rub over it evenly on all sides.
Step 3: Smoke Your Chicken
Place your chicken in the smoker and cover it with the lid. Smoke your chicken for 2½ to 3 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the smoker and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Step 4: Slice and Serve!
Once the chicken has had time to rest and cool, it is ready to be sliced. Slice the chicken into portions and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Enjoy your smoked whole chicken! It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 6 oz. (170g)
- Calories: 270
- Fat: 13g
- Carbs: 0g
- Protein: 36g
- Total cholesterol: 75mg
- Sodium: 250mg
- Saturated fat: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
>> Want a perfect smoked whole chicken? Yeah, that’s what I also think of when I was writing this post for you! But hey, why don’t you take a look at this tutorial video here to get more details about it:
What Side Of Chicken Goes Up When Smoking?
When smoking a whole chicken, it’s important to place the bird in the smoker breast side down. This allows the juices and fat to drain away from the breast meat. It also helps to keep the breasts moist while cooking and prevents them from drying out.
Additionally, placing the chicken breast side down keeps the legs closer to the heat source and helps to ensure that they cook evenly.
Best Wood for Smoking Chicken
The type of wood you use for smoking chicken will depend on your personal preferences. Some popular choices include hickory, cherry, apple, and mesquite.
When using wood chips, it’s best to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before adding them to the smoker. This helps to regulate the smoke output and prevents flare-ups.
Do You Flip Whole Chicken When Smoking?
You do not need to flip a whole chicken when smoking. However, you should rotate the bird periodically to ensure that it cooks evenly on all sides. This will help to prevent any dry patches from forming and helps to lock in moisture.
Do You Have To Brine A Whole Chicken Before Smoking?
Again, this time you also do not have to brine a whole chicken before smoking. Brining helps to lock in moisture and gives the bird extra flavor. However, it’s not necessary and can add an extra step when preparing your smoked chicken.
Do You Have To Brine A Whole Chicken Before Smoking?
Learn More About Smoking With These Similar Recipes
- Smoked Chicken Wings
- Smoked Chicken Thighs
- Smoked Turkey Legs
- Spatchcock Chicken Smoke
- Smoked Boneless Chicken Breast
- Smoked Drumsticks
FAQs For “How Long To Smoke A Whole Chicken?”
How long does it take to smoke a whole chicken at 225?
It typically takes between 2.5 to 3 hours to smoke a whole chicken at 225°F (107°C).
How long does it take to smoke a whole chicken at 225 degrees per pound?
Smoking a whole chicken at 225°F will take about 45 minutes per pound of meat.
How long does it take to smoke a whole chicken at 250?
It would take between 3 to 4 hours to smoke a whole chicken at 250°F (121°C).
How long does it take to smoke a 5lb whole chicken?
Normally, it should be about 2.5 to 3 hours to smoke a 5lb (2.3kg) whole chicken at 225°F.
Conclusion
Smoking a whole chicken is a great way to add flavor and moisture to the meat. It’s important to make sure that you are using the correct temperature when smoking your chicken, as well as paying attention to the internal temperature of the bird when it is done cooking.
I hope this article has helped you understand how long to smoke a whole chicken and given you some tips on preparing your bird for the smoker. You can also experiment with different spices, rubs, and marinades to create unique flavor profiles.
And in the end, don’t forget to check out our page at Lilianakitchen.com for more upcoming helpful and amazing topics ahead! Happy smoking!
Ingredients
- - FOR SMOKED WHOLE CHICKEN:
- A whole chicken (about 4 -5 lb.)
- 1 cup of chicken rub (prepared from the previous section)
- - FOR THE CHICKEN RUB:
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 275ºF.
- Season the whole chicken and rub it evenly with the prepared chicken rub.
- Smoke your chicken for 2½ to 3 hours, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the smoker and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Slice the chicken into portions and serve with your favorite side dishes and serve!
Notes
- Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken.
- For best results, let your chicken marinate overnight before smoking it.
- Let your smoked whole chicken rest for 10 minutes after cooking before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes the meat more tender and juicy.
