Pellet Grill Whole Chicken

Showing off the juicy chicken on a cutting board. The smoker is the way to go for whole chickens.

Intensely flavorful, with just the right amount of smokiness, not to mention fork-tender meat, smoking a whole chicken is so easy. So light your smoker and cook up a simple, crowd-pleasing entree or weekly meal prep!

Course Main

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3

Marinating & Resting Time 40

Total Time 3 50

Servings

Calories 347kcal

Author Imma

Equipment

1 pellet grill or regular smoker

Ingredients

1 tablespoon (7g) onion powder
1 tablespoon (10g) garlic powder
1½ teaspoon (2g) dried thyme
1½ teaspoon (3g) dried oregano
1½ teaspoon (1g) sage
½ tablespoon (4g) freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon (<1g) cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon (1-2g) ground mustard seeds
1 teaspoon (2-3g) paprika
1 teaspoon (4g) celery seeds (optional)
2 teaspoons (12g) kosher salt (see notes)
1 whole chicken (one large chicken serves 6-8 people)

Instructions

Combine the onion and garlic powder, thyme, oregano, sage, black pepper, cayenne, mustard powder, paprika, celery seeds, and salt in a bowl, and thoroughly combine.
Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
Then generously coat it with the dry rub, covering every inch. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for about an hour (up to 24 hours).
Take the chicken out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature while the pellet grill preheats to around 225-250°F (107-120°C). Double-check the hopper to make sure it has enough pellets.
Place the chicken (or chickens) on the smoker rack, close the lid, and smoke for 3-4 hours or 35-45 minutes per pound. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (75℃) in the thickest part of the breast, thigh, and wings.
Optionally, crank up the heat to 350℉ (180℃) for the last 20 minutes to crisp up the skin.
Remove the chicken from the smoker and let it rest for 15-20 minutes for juicier chicken.

Notes

A 4-5-pound whole chicken should serve 6-8 people. Smoke multiple chickens at the same time to feed a bigger crowd. Besides, smoking a whole chicken on a Traeger pellet grill is quite easy.
How much salt will depend on the chicken's size. Count on ¾-1 teaspoon salt per pound.
Preheat your pellet grill before putting the chicken on the grates for consistent heat throughout the cooking process.
Please remember that the nutritional data is a rough estimate and can vary considerably based on the ingredients used in the recipe.

Nutrition