Description
This smoked chicken recipe on a pellet grill is easy enough that anyone can make it and delicious enough to impress even the pickiest of eaters. The skin gets crispy and crunchy while the meat stays tender and juicy. The perfect combination of smoky flavors, textures, and fragrant aromas will surprise everyone at your table.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 chicken halves
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp vegetable oil for rubbing
Apple Cider Vinegar Sauce
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp dark or light brown sugar
- 1 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 225°F and set it up for 2-zone smoking (direct + indirect heat).
- Take a small bowl and mix the ingredients for the apple cider vinegar sauce. Stir and set aside.
- Take your half-chicken and rub it thoroughly in oil. Then sprinkle the dry rub all over it, covering all sides.
- Place the chicken in the smoker with the skin side up and cook for about 90 minutes over indirect heat.
- Smoke until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
- After it reaches this temperature, transfer it to the direct heat zone of your grill/smoker. This time, you should place your chicken skin side down.
- Let it sear for 10 minutes.
- Keep flipping the chicken and continue smoking until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F in the thickest area of the chicken – which is usually at the center of the breast.
- Remove the chicken from the smoker and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Slice the chicken and slather it with the apple cider vinegar sauce.
- Enjoy it with your favorite side dish!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Rest Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 464kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1303mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 143mg