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Never made a Smoked Whole Chicken on a Traeger? Don’t fret, it’s easy! In this post, we give step by step instructions on how to smoke a whole chicken. It is juicy, tender and packed with flavor. You might even like it more than our Traeger Chicken Breast, smoked chicken thighs, or our smoked chicken wings.
Table of Contents
- Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe
- Smoked Whole Chicken Ingredients
- How to Smoke a Whole Chicken
- How Long to Smoke a Whole Chicken
- What are the Best Wood Pellets for Smoking Chicken?
- How to Make Gravy from Pan Drippings
- How Long Will Smoked Chicken Keep?
- Can You Freeze Smoked Chicken?
- What to Serve with a Whole Chicken
- Tips for the Best Smoked Whole Chicken
- More Traeger Recipes:
- How to Cook a Smoked Whole Chicken on a Traeger Recipe
Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe
Whole chicken recipes are really difficult to sort through. I’ve made enough of them, all of which claimed to be the best of the best but all were just cooked chicken. I mean, just because it’s a whole bird does not mean it has to be difficult, time consuming and especially not bland.
So I got all obsessed. We love our slow cooker whole chicken, our whole roasted chicken and our spatchcock chicken, but we needed a smoked version! I decided to make a whole chicken that you’d order in a restaurant over the steak. I know, I know, but really, this smoked whole chicken is going to knock your dang socks clean off of you.
Why, why is that a saying? Knock your socks off? What about your shoes? Why didn’t we knock those off first? Who are all of these people walking around in socks?
Actually, it’s me.
If you know me, if you’re a friend or a neighbor you know that I’m ALWAYS in socks because my feet are ALWAYS cold.
Smoked Whole Chicken Ingredients
Believe it or not, you only need a handful of ingredients to make a Traeger smoked chicken. This Traeger whole chicken recipe has three main components: the dry rub used to flavor the smoked chicken, the few extra ingredients needed to actually smoke the chicken, and the ingredients needed to make a gravy from the pan drippings.
Here’s what you’ll need to make a smoked whole chicken on a Traeger:
- Fresh Thyme Leaves
- Salt and Pepper
- Onion Powder
- Cumin
- Smoked Paprika
- Ground Mustard
- Cayenne
- Dark Brown Sugar
- Garlic
- Chili Powder
- Butter
- Apple Juice
- Cornstarch
Note that adding a pan of apple juice to the smoker creates a delicious steam that keeps the meat moist and adds flavor as well.
How to Smoke a Whole Chicken
Smoked whole chicken does not need much time or attention at all. The most important step starts out the morning of, or even the night before is fine.
The most important step is to rinse, dry and set the bird in the fridge to dry out the skin. If you absolutely don’t have time or you forget, no biggie, it will still turn out awesome, but it does make for a better skin on the whole chicken.
Here are the basic steps to making a Traeger smoked chicken:
- Place a rinsed and dried chicken in the fridge all day to dry out the skin.
- Heat the smoker.
- Mix the chicken dry rub together.
- Sprinkle a little dry rub in the cavity of the bird. Using kitchen twine, tie together the legs if needed.
- Mix the remaining spice mixture with softened butter.
- Pull the chicken skin up and loosen it from the meat. Spread the butter under the skin and all over the meat and then the rest all over the outside of the bird.
- Fill a pan with the juice and if your smoker permits, place it on the bottom rack and the chicken on the rack right above it.
- Smoke the bird breast side up for about an hour to an hour and half until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove to rest while you whisk up the drippings.
How Long to Smoke a Whole Chicken
Depending on the size of your bird, it’ll need to smoke for roughly 60 to 80 minutes at 375 degrees F. You’ll know your smoked whole chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer.
What are the Best Wood Pellets for Smoking Chicken?
We love to use cherry or apple wood chips when we smoke chicken. Hickory, mesquite, pecan and oak are all great options too.
How to Make Gravy from Pan Drippings
I will never forget roasting my first chicken, calling my mom and saying, “Now, how do I make a gravy? Is there a packet I buy?”
Silence, followed by “that’s what the pan drippings are for.” More silence, this time from me. 😬
Here’s how to make gravy from pan drippings:
- Strain out any bits that you don’t want from the drippings in the apple juice, reserving all liquids.
- If you couldn’t gather drippings, add 1 cup of chicken broth.
- Bring the liquids to a simmer in a skillet with raised sides.
- Whisk cornstarch and water together in a dish and whisk into the gravy until desired thickness.
- Brush over the chicken or use to dip pieces of chicken in.
NOTE: If you’re not a big gravy fan, whip up a batch of our homemade bbq sauce to dip this chicken in.
How Long Will Smoked Chicken Keep?
A smoked chicken will keep for 7 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Can You Freeze Smoked Chicken?
Smoked chicken can be frozen for 1 month. A FoodSaver will help you to be able to get the best results as it sucks out the air and vacuum seals the meat.
What to Serve with a Whole Chicken
Congrats! You’ve just smoked a whole chicken. Now the question is, what should you serve with your delicious Traeger whole chicken?
Here are a few of our favorite chicken side dishes to give you some ideas:
- Easy Herbed Focaccia
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Broccoli Bake
- Southern Mac and Cheese
- Tomato Tart
- The BEST Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
- Green Beans and Potatoes
- Pea Salad
- More of our Favorite Side Dishes!
Tips for the Best Smoked Whole Chicken
The dry rub is the most important part of flavoring a whole chicken. Dry rub goes both under and over the skin, but I’ve found that throwing a little in the cavity makes the spices bloom out and increase flavor from inside out too.
We use fresh thyme leaves in the spice rub as it brings on a little different flavor than dried thyme. It transforms the chicken into something a lot more delicious and wonderful. If you must used dried thyme, use half the amount of fresh as it’s a condensed version and stronger.
As for the smoked paprika in the dry rub — find it. The end. It is not the same to use regular paprika. Really, smoked paprika is incredible. You can find it at most stores, but it’s sold on Amazon as well if you need it.
Learn how to cook a delicious and juicy smoked whole chicken on your Traeger grill with this step-by-step guide. Impress your friends and family with this flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion.
More Traeger Recipes:
- Glazed Chicken Wings
- Marinated Smoked Chicken Thighs
- Smoked Chicken Breasts
- Brisket on a Traeger
- Dry Rub Chicken Wings
- Pork Butt on a Traeger
- Tri Tip Recipe
- Chicken Kale Salad
- All of our favorite Traeger recipes!
How to Cook a Smoked Whole Chicken on a Traeger
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Chicken, giblets removed, rinsed and patted dry.
For the Dry Rub:
- 2 teaspoons Fresh Thyme Leaves, (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar
- 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
- 1 Crack Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Mustard
- 1 Pinch Cayenne
- 1 Pinch Chili Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Cumin
- 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, softened
For Cooking:
- 16 oz Apple Juice
- Foil Pan
For the Gravy:
- Pan of apple juice and drippings from the Traeger
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Water
Instructions
Smoke the Whole Chicken:
- If you have time, put the chicken on a plate, uncovered in the fridge for at least 2 hours or up to a whole day to dry out the skin.1 Whole Chicken
- Heat a smoker to 375 degrees F.
- Place the spices in a bowl and mix to combine.2 teaspoons Fresh Thyme Leaves, 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, 2 Cloves Garlic, 1 Tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar, 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika, 1 Crack Black Pepper, 1/2 teaspoon Ground Mustard, 1 Pinch Cayenne, 1 Pinch Chili Powder, 1/4 teaspoon Cumin
- Remove the chicken from the fridge and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the spices into the cavity of the chicken.
- Add the butter to the remaining spices and mix until it forms a smooth paste.6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- Lift the skin of the chicken and rub 1/2 the butter on the meat under the skin and the remaining butter/spice mixture all over the bird.
- Fill a foil pan with the apple juice and place it on the lowest rack and the chicken, breast side up on the rack above it. If you cannot do this, the chicken will have to go next to the pan and you will have to add 1 cup chicken broth to the juice after for the gravy.16 oz Apple Juice, Foil Pan
- Cook for 60-80 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer registers 165 degrees F. Ours took 70 minutes because it was a bigger bird.
- Remove to a tray and allow to rest for 15-20 minutes. Do not cut before that.
Make the Gravy:
- Meanwhile, bring the accumulated juices and the drippings to a simmer in a skillet over medium heat.Pan of apple juice and drippings from the Traeger
- Combine the cornstarch and water and slowly, while whisking add to the gravy. Continue whisking until thickened.1 teaspoon Cornstarch, 1 teaspoon Water
- Slice the chicken and brush with the gravy. Serve!
Recipe Notes
- If you don’t have drippings leftover, just use 1 cup of chicken broth to make the gravy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What can I use instead of apple juice? Thanks!
Hello there! I would use chicken broth as a substitute.
WOW!!!! This recipe is truly incredible. My entire family of five had seconds and loved every bite. The flavors are perfect and the chicken turned out so juicy and flavorful. It was better than a Costco rotisserie chicken and obviously way more healthy than that! Definitely putting this whole chicken recipe in the rotation. First time making a dish from you and I plan on looking up more now. WELL DONE!!! Awesome recipe, thank you.
Carla!! You’ve made my whole day! Thank you so much! Whole chickens on the Traeger are so simple but so delicious! Can’t wait to hear which recipe you try next!
I have now made this 5 times, comes out perfect every time – this is solidly in the weekly meal rotation. The best part is I can use the leftover chicken in other dishes also, so it’s a win win. We’ve also had your “Cheesy ground beef and rice” casserole and it was another HIT. My mom was over when I made it the first time and she flipped out. She made it for my sister’s family and now they all wanted the recipe as well. Your food is very, very good, I look forward to trying more of your recipes. I bought your cookbook off Amazon too!
Thank you so, so much Carla!! Your support means the world to us!
Did not care for the sweetness of the gravy and chicken lacked smoke flavor despite cooking lower longer and slower. IMO a store bought rotisserie chicken is a whole lot easier and tastier. Wanted to like tonight’s dinner but didn’t, unfortunately.
Thank you for the feedback Megan!
What is 1 Crack Black Pepper? 1 black peppercorn cracked?
It will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months but it will keep its shape after freezing. So after it is frozen, you won’t be able to spread it or pipe it. So freeze it how you want it to look. Or you can pipe it onto your dessert and then freeze the whole dessert.
Hi John! It means 1 turn of your fresh pepper grinder or a larger pinch of ground pepper.
Question… when you say mix the juices to make the gravy are you including the apple juice?
Hi Candace! Yes, it includes the apple juice.
Can you cook this at lower temp for a longer period of time?
Hi Bob! You can smoke it at 275-325 and it will take 2-3 hours. Enjoy!
Thanks for the response! We are making this tomorrow. We will let you know how we made out. Thank you!
Please do let us know!
Amazing flavor!!!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!
I got my first Traeger at a Costco roadshow about 20 years ago. They weren’t even digital back then. The guy told me to take the “Chicken Challenge. “ Set it to high for 70 minutes and don’t open the lid. Used their chicken rub. Best chicken I’ve ever had.
We are obsessed with our Traeger! Such a great product!