SMOKED WHOLE CHICKEN

Smoked Whole Chicken image

Great rub for smoked chicken that doesn't overpower the chicken flavor.

Provided by Brent Rice

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Whole Chicken Recipes

Time 4h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons freshly cracked black pepper
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 (3 1/2) pound whole chicken

Steps:

Preheat a smoker to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
Combine paprika, chili powder, cayenne, black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl and mix completely with a fork until well combined.
Spatchcock the chicken by placing chicken, breast side down, on a work surface. Starting at the tail end, cut along both sides of backbone with kitchen shears. Remove backbone. Grabbing hold of both sides of the chicken, open it like a book. Turn breast side up. Push down on each side of breast with your hands until you hear it crack. Flatten. Rub with the seasoning blend.
Smoke until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 140 degrees F (60 degrees C), about 3 1/2 hours. Turn up the heat to 350 to 400 degrees F (175 to 200 degrees C) and get direct heat on the skin to finish out with an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).
Remove from heat, cover in foil, and allow to rest until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 10 minutes. Cut and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 319.2 calories, Carbohydrate 7.5 g, Cholesterol 132.5 mg, Fat 12.2 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 44.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 1118.3 mg, Sugar 1.4 g