Whole Smoked Chicken on a Pellet Grill

What pellets are good for smoking chicken?

Selecting the right wood pellets can make all the difference in flavor when smoking chicken on a pellet grill. Here are several wood pellet options that work well for smoking chicken, each with its own unique flavor profile, so we’re sure you’ll find one you’ll like:

• Applewood pellets: Sweet and slightly fruity flavor that complements the mild taste of chicken

• Cherry wood pellets: Mild, slightly sweet flavor that gives the meat a beautiful mahogany color – an excellent choice for chicken

• Hickory pellets: Strong, delicious, smoky flavor, but beware – it can be overpowering if overused

• Maple wood pellets: Subtle, sweet flavor that enhances without dominating the flavor of your chicken

• Pecan wood pellets: Nutty and slightly sweet flavor, giving your chicken a subtle smoky taste with being overpowering

When it comes down to it, whatever wood you select depends on your particular taste. We recommend you experiment with different flavor profiles and even explore ones a little more exotic to your normal palate.

Smoked Lemon-Pepper Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. lemon zest
• 2 tbsp. black pepper
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F.

2. Rinse the chicken with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.

4. Rub the chicken with the lemon-pepper mixture, making sure to coat the entire bird.

5. Place the chicken on the pellet grill, breast side up.

6. Smoke the chicken at 225°F for 2.5-3 hours or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F.

7. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.

Smoked Cajun Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp. Cajun seasoning
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F.

2. Rinse the chicken with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.

4. Rub the chicken with the Cajun seasoning mixture, making sure to coat the entire bird.

5. Place the chicken on the pellet grill, breast side up.

6. Smoke the chicken at 225°F for 2.5-3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F.

7. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.

Smoked BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp. BBQ rub
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat your pellet grill to 225°F.

2. Rinse the chicken with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, BBQ rub, and salt.
   
4. Rub the chicken with the BBQ rub mixture, making sure to coat the entire bird.

5. Place the chicken on the pellet grill, breast side up.

6. Smoke the chicken at 225°F for 2-2.5 hours or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches 150°F.

7. Brush the chicken with BBQ sauce and continue to smoke for another 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F.

8. Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.