Best Smoked Chicken Recipes

CHICKEN AND SMOKED SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• Combine the oil and flour in a large cast iron or enameled cast iron Dutch oven over medium heat. Stirring slowly and constantly for 20 to 25 minutes, make a dark brown roux, the color of chocolate. Add the onions, celery, and bell peppers and continue to stir for 4 to 5 minutes, or until wilted. Add the sausage, salt, cayenne, and bay leaves. Continue to stir for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth. Stir until the roux mixture and water are well combined. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
• Season the chicken with the rub and add to the pot. Simmer for 2 hours. Skim off any fat that rises to the surface. Remove from the heat. Stir in the parsley, green onions, and file powder. Remove the bay leaves and serve in deep bowls.
• Combine all ingredients and store in an air-tight container.

SMOKED CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

Steps:

• Remove drumsticks from packaging and place on a rack over a drip tray or baking sheet. Air dry in the refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat an electric smoker to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Add wood chips according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Brush drumsticks lightly with vegetable oil. Place drumsticks in a resealable plastic bag and sprinkle with the rub. Toss to coat evenly.
• Place drumsticks on the rack in the smoker. Smoke until chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 2 hrs.

SMOKED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Combine water, kosher salt, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a large bowl. Stir until salt and brown sugar are dissolved. Place chicken breasts into brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat an electric smoker according to manufacturer's directions to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C) using maple wood chips.
• Remove chicken breasts from brine and rinse under cold water. Pat dry. Combine salt, black pepper, paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Sprinkle dry rub all over chicken breasts and place skin-side up on a grill rack in the preheated smoker. Place a drip pan underneath.
• Smoke chicken breasts in the preheated smoker until chicken is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 4 hours, adding maple wood chips as necessary to keep the smoke continuous. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

SMOKED 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.

CURRIED SMOKED CHICKEN AND WILD RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing:
• In a blender or food processor blend the garlic, the vinegar, the lemon juice, the curry powder, the chutney, and salt and pepper to taste until the mixture is smooth. With the motor running add the oil in a stream, add the sour cream and the water, adding additional water if necessary to reach the desired consistency, and blend the dressing until it is combined well. Transfer the dressing to a small bowl and stir in the coriander. The dressing may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled.
• Make the wild rice mixture:
• In a large heavy saucepan combine the wild rice with the water and the salt and simmer it, covered, for 45 to 50 minutes, until it is tender and all the water is absorbed. Transfer the wild rice to a large bowl and add the vinegar, the oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss the mixture well and let it cool completely. The wild rice mixture may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Stir in the scallions and the raisins.
• Cut the chicken into 3/4-inch pieces. Spoon the wild rice mixture onto one side of a large shallow serving dish, arrange the chicken on the other half, and arrange the mâche decoratively down the middle. Serve the dressing separately. (Alternatively, the wild rice mixture, the chicken, and the dressing may be tossed together in a large serving bowl and garnish with the mâche.)

SMOKED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat a smoker to 200 degrees F (93 degrees C).
• Combine salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and oregano in a bowl. Apply to chicken thighs as a dry rub.
• Smoke thighs using cherry wood for 1 hour. Rotate and flip thighs and continue smoking until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 1 hour more.

CHICKEN AND ANDOUILLE SMOKED SAUSAGE GUMBO (CREOLE STEW)

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the onions, bell peppers, okra and celery; set aside.
• Combine all but 1/2 cup of the flour, the salt, garlic powder, and red pepper in a plastic bag, add the chicken pieces and shake until chicken is well coated. In large heavy skillet heat 1 1/2-inches of oil until very hot (375 degrees F.) Fry the chicken until the crust is brown on both sides and meat is cooked, about 5 to 8 minutes per side; drain on paper towels.
• Remove the pan from the heat and pour the hot oil into a cup, leaving as many brown particles in the pan as possible. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen any stuck particles, then return 1/2 cup of the hot oil to the pan. Place the pan over high heat. Using a long handled whisk, gradually stir in remaining flour. Cook, whisking constantly, until a roux is formed and is a dark red-brown. Remove from heat and add the reserved vegetable mixture, stirring constantly until the roux stops getting darker. Return to a low heat and cook until the vegetables are soft.
• In a separate large pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add the roux by spoonfuls to the boiling stock, stirring between each addition. Reduce to a simmer and add the andouille and remaining ingredients, except file powder. Simmer for 45 minutes. While gumbo is simmering, bone the cooked chicken and cut meat into 1/2-inch dice. Add to the gumbo. Add file powder 5 minutes before serving and continue to simmer for 5 minutes.
• Serve gumbo on a mound of cooked rice.

CHICKEN AND SMOKED SAUSAGE GUMBO WITH WHITE RICE

Steps:

• In a large enameled cast iron Dutch oven or large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until well browned, about 8 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
• Season the chicken with the Essence and add in batches to the fat remaining in the pan. Cook over medium-high heat until well browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan, let cool, and then refrigerate until ready to use.
• Combine the remaining 1/2 cup oil and the flour in the same Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, stirring slowly and constantly for 20 to 25 minutes, to make a dark brown roux, the color of chocolate.
• Add the onions, celery, and bell peppers and cook, stirring, until wilted, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the reserved sausage, salt, cayenne, and bay leaves, stir, and cook for 2 minutes. Stirring, slowly add the chicken stock, and cook, stirring, until well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
• Add the reserved chicken to the pot and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, skimming off any fat that rises to the surface.
• Remove the pot from the heat. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken thighs from the gumbo and place on a cutting board to cool slightly. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Pull the chicken meat from the bones and shred, discarding the bones and skin. Return the meat to the gumbo and stir in the green onions, parsley, and file powder.
• Spoon rice into the bottom of deep bowls or large cups and ladle the gumbo on top. Serve, passing hot sauce on the side.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
• In a 2-quart saucepan, combine the rice, water, butter, salt, and bay leaf and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let sit, covered and undisturbed, for 5 minutes.
• Uncover and fluff the rice with a fork. Discard the bay leaf and serve.

CHICKEN SALAD TEA SANDWICHES WITH SMOKED ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a deep 12-inch skillet bring broth or water to a boil and add chicken breasts in one layer. Reduce heat and poach chicken at a bare simmer, turning once, 7 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and cool chicken in cooking liquid 20 minutes. Discard skin and shred chicken fine.
• In a bowl stir together chicken, 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, shallot, tarragon, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Make 12 sandwiches with chicken salad and bread, pressing together gently. With a 2-inch round cutter cut 2 rounds from each sandwich.
• Put almonds on a small plate and spread edges of rounds with remaining 1/2 cup mayonnaise to coat well. Roll edges in almonds. Sandwiches may be made 2 hours ahead, wrapped in plastic wrap, and chilled.

SMOKED CHICKEN WINGS

Steps:

• For the marinade: Combine the cayenne, salt, granulated sugar and lime juice in a large bowl, then add the wings, tossing to coat. Marinate, refrigerated, for at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Allow the wings to come to room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Soak 2 cups applewood chips in water for 1 hour
• Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• For the Memphis dry rub: Combine the brown sugar, salt, granulated sugar, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin and cayenne in a small bowl. Any rub that is not used can be stored in a mason jar for up to 1 month.
• Drain the soaked wood chips and throw them directly on top of the coals.
• Remove the wings from the marinade, then place on the grate on the indirect side of the grill. Cover the grill with a lid and allow the wings to smoke for 25 to 30 minutes.
• To finish, move the wings to the hot side of the grill to char, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the wings from the grill and add to a mixing bowl. Season liberally with the rub and toss to coat. Serve with Buttermilk Herb Dipping Sauce.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, cheese, parsley, chives, dill, garlic, lemon zest and juice and salt and pepper to taste. This makes a great salad dressing too--just thin it out with some more buttermilk!

BACON WRAPPED SMOKED GOUDA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Combine, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika and pepper.
• Flatten chicken breasts to approx 1/4" thickness.
• Season both sides of chicken with the cayenne mixture.
• Place small piece (s) of cheese on chicken and roll up, pressing firmly.
• Wrap each stuffed breast with a bacon slice and then brown over medium heat until bacon just begins to crisp.
• Bake in a 350 oven for 20 minutes.

SMOKED CHICKEN WINGS

Steps:

• Place chicken wings in a large bowl. Pour in olive oil; toss with hands until coated. Coat wings evenly with dry rub.
• Light charcoal and heat smoker to 170 to 200 degrees F (77 to 93 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Drain wood chips and place half of them directly on the charcoal. Spread wings evenly on the cooking grate skin-side down.
• Smoke wings until fragrant, about 1 hour.
• Flip wings. Add remaining wood chips to the charcoal. Continue smoking until an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 1 hour more.
• Serve chicken wings with blue cheese dressing.

ALTON BROWN'S SMOKED PAPRIKA CHICKEN AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Combine the olives, lemon zest and garlic in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Mix the smoked paprika, olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and pepper into a paste in a large bowl.
• Lay the chicken thighs skin-side down. Using a pair of kitchen shears, make a cut down the length of the bone to expose it, then cut the meat away from the bone. Discard the bone.
• Stuff about 2 tablespoons of the olive mixture under the skin of each chicken thigh and rub paprika paste on each. Arrange the chicken thighs, skin-side up, on a cooling rack.
• Arrange the potato slices and onion pieces in an even layer on a foil-lined half sheet pan. (I also sprinkled left over paste on potatoes.).
• Place cooling rack over potatoes and bake until the skin is crispy and the potatoes are tender, 55 to 60 minutes. If you prefer the potatoes crispy, remove the rack with the chicken and return to the oven for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

SMOKED CHICKEN LEG QUARTERS

Steps:

• Combine salt, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and cayenne in a bowl. Marinate chicken leg quarters in the homemade seasoning rub for 4 to 8 hours.
• At the same time, set an electric smoker to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C) for 3 hours. Keep the top vent closed.
• Place 1 chicken leg quarter on each of the wire racks. Place the racks into the smoker. Add water to the water pan. Add 2 loads of soaked wood chips according to manufacturer's instructions and open the vent.
• Smoke chicken until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 2 1/2 hours, adding more wood chips after each hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

SMOKED-CHICKEN AND CRANBERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Soak cranberries in a bowl of warm water to cover 15 minutes, then drain well in a sieve and chop. Whisk together oil and lime juice in a medium bowl, then add cranberries, remaining ingredients, and salt and pepper to taste, tossing to coat.

SIMPLE SMOKED CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• *In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, add celery and pulse until it turns into a minced consistency. Remove from food processor and place in a large mixing bowl.
• Add 2 cups of chicken to food processor and pulse until desired consistency is reached; transfer to the mixing bowl with the celery and pulse the remaining chicken in the food processor.
• Add onion, salt, pepper, and 1 cup mayonnaise to the celery and chicken; stir until blended. Add more mayonnaise if necessary.
• Serve on whole grain bread or on top of Triscuits for a healthy snack or light lunch.
• *If you like bigger chunks of celery, you can skip the first step and place chopped celery right into the mixing bowl.
• Try some additions if you'd like: Hard boiled eggs, Grapes, Apples, Chopped almonds or walnuts, Raisins, Cucumber, Pickle Relish.

SMOKED MOZZARELLA SKILLET CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts on a work surface and cover with waxed paper. Pound each breast with the smooth side of a meat mallet to an even thickness. Sprinkle both sides with oregano, onion powder, and salt.
• Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for about 4 minutes. Flip and cook about 3 minutes longer. Top each breast with sliced mozzarella. Cover the skillet and cook until cheese has melted and chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 2 to 3 minutes longer. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Remove from the skillet and allow to cool for 1 minute before serving.

CHICKEN AND SMOKED SAUSAGE ETOUFFEE

Steps:

• Set a Dutch oven over medium heat and add a 2-count of olive oil. Add the sausage links and brown slightly as you render some of the fat. Remove and set aside on a paper towel. Season chicken with plenty of salt and pepper and add skin side down to the pan. Cook over medium heat to render fat for 7 to 10 minutes, then turn to brown both sides of the chicken. Remove and set aside on a paper towels.
• With the pot still over medium heat add 2 tablespoons butter to melt with the fat then add flour and whisk to incorporate, and then swap to a wooden spoon. Cook until it is nice and brown (you want a nice deep rich colored roux), about 10 to 12 minutes.
• In a food processor add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic, and pulse to roughly chop. Add the vegetable pulp to the pot with the roux and stir with a wooden spoon. Cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes to sweat out some of the moisture. Add the stock, paprika and cayenne. Return the chicken pieces to the pot and simmer until the chicken is tender, about 1 hour. Remove the chicken pieces from pot to a cutting board and shred the meat. Discard the bones and return the meat to the pot. Cut the andouille sausage into chunks and nestle back into the pot amongst chicken to heat through.
• Give it all a final taste and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with plenty of parsley and scallions.

CHICKEN AND SPINACH QUICHE WITH SMOKED GOUDA

Steps:

• Put the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor fitted with a metal blade and pulse to combine. Add about a third of the chilled butter cubes and process until the butter is absorbed. Add the remaining butter and pulse until the butter is the size of peas, 5 or 6 pulses. Add the vinegar. Then, while pulsing quickly a few times, add the ice water through the tube. Squeeze some dough between your fingers; it should just hold its shape without feeling wet. If it is crumbly, add more ice water a tablespoon at a time. Pulse quickly; do not overwork the dough or the crust will be tough. Wrap the dough loosely in a large piece of plastic wrap, then firmly press and flatten it into a thin round. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Lightly dust a work surface with flour, then roll the dough into an 11- to 12-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. Center the dough in a 9-inch pie plate, with an even overhang all around. Fold the edges and flute or crimp. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Press a piece of foil over the chilled crust, then fill with pie weights, raw beans or rice. Bake to set the crust, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and bake until the crust is light brown, 5 to 10 minutes more. Let cool slightly before adding the filling.
• For the filling: Sprinkle the shallot evenly into the crust. Put the Gouda, chicken and spinach in a medium bowl and toss to combine. Sprinkle it in an even layer over the shallots.
• Whisk together the half-and-half, eggs, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl.
• Pour the custard over the filling. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake until set, 35 to 50 minutes. Let cool at least 30 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.

SLOW-SMOKED BARBECUE CHICKEN

Steps:

• First, make the dry rub:
• Combine all the ingredients except for the chicken in a resealable container, cover tightly, and shake well to combine. (Dry rub can be stored, covered, in a cool, dry place for up to 2 months.)
• If brining:
• In a stockpot, bring 1 gallon water and 1 cup dry rub to a boil, stirring until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Let the brine cool to room temperature, then transfer to a nonreactive container and refrigerate until chilled. Add the chicken to the cold brine and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours.
• Set a wire rack on a baking sheet. Remove the chicken from the brine, pat dry with paper towels, and place on the wire rack. Discard the brine. Refrigerate for 6 hours.
• If using the dry rub instead of brining:
• Put the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and coat the chicken lightly all over with 1/2 cup dry rub (you may not need all of the rub) and set aside.
• Prep your kettle grill:
• Remove any ash and debris if the smoker has been previously used and clean the grates. Fill a chimney starter about halfway with hardwood charcoal. Loosely crumple a couple of pieces of newspaper and drizzle or spray them with vegetable oil (this helps the paper burn longer and speeds up the charcoal-lighting process). Stuff the paper into the chimney's lower chamber place the chimney on the smoker's top grate, and light it. Let the charcoal burn until the coals are glowing red and coated in gray ash, about 15 minutes. Put on a pair of heavy-duty fireproof gloves and carefully dump the charcoal into one side of the grill-over the bottom air vent if your grill has one-leaving the other half free of coals. Place a disposable aluminum tray on the other side to use as a drip pan.
• Place a few hardwood chunks or a foil packet of wood chips over the coals. Add the top grate and put your meat over the drip pan. Cover the grill, placing the air vents in the lid over the meat. Open both vents about halfway.
• Place the chicken in the smoker and smoke, maintaining a smoker temperature of between 200° and 225°F, replenishing the wood chunks or chips as needed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a leg registers 165°F, 3 to 5 hours. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
• At this point, you can cut the chicken into quarters or tear the meat into shreds to make pulled chicken. Or, if you want extra-crispy skin, you can briefly roast the chicken in a 450°F oven, or prepare a grill with hot and cool sides, put the chicken over the cool side, cover the grill, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.