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    Home » Recipes » Grill Recipes » Smoker Recipes » Best Smoked Whole Chicken Without Brine (Traeger Demo)

    Best Smoked Whole Chicken Without Brine (Traeger Demo)

    Published: Sep 15, 2021 · Modified: Sep 21, 2022 by Jenna Passaro · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Smoked Whole Chicken Traeger recipe images with text overlay

    Make the best Traeger smoked chicken without brine (you don’t need one!). My recipe is packed with flavor and is a very easy smoker recipe for beginners. So join me today to learn exactly how to make the best smoked whole chicken. Let’s smoke some tasty food!

    smoked whole chicken traeger
    If you’ve never made smoked whole chicken on a Traeger, prepare to blow your mind.

    Table of Contents

    • Why my smoked chicken is the best recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How long does it take to smoke a chicken?
    • How to make smoked whole chicken
    • Best chicken smoker recipes from Sip Bite Go
    • FAQs 
    • More Tasty Grill + Smoker Recipes
    • Meat thermometer recommendations
    • Why I wrote this recipe
    • Tasty whole chicken recipes from Sip Bite Go
    • Are you a foodie, too?
    • Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe With Traeger Instructions | Sip Bite Go

    Why my smoked chicken is the best recipe

    • SO easy, with very simple ingredients.
    • Big time tasty. You’ll make super juicy chicken with a deep smoky flavor.
    • Use your favorite bbq rub or poultry seasoning.
    • It’s a great family style smoker recipe – my version of smoked whole chicken tastes just like eating at a BBQ restaurant. It’s right up there with whole smoked turkey and my beginner-friendly smoked brisket flat.
    • Get the best chicken smoker time for moist chicken.
    • New to smoking a whole chicken? Scroll to the bottom of the page for my full-length Youtube video.
    • You’ll make it again and again!

    PSST… beginners to smoking food – check out the full step by step video at the bottom of this post – it’s about 3 minutes long and will walk you through the whole thing!

    Ingredients

    Here’s what you need to make Traeger smoked chicken.

    1. Whole chicken (about 2-3 LBs whole bird)
    2. Olive oil
    3. BBQ seasoning

    Flavor note: in this demo, I used ​​Meat Church Holy Cow BBQ Rub, but you can use any BBQ dry rub or poultry seasoning)

    How long does it take to smoke a chicken?

    With my recipe, you’ll get 2 different cooking temperatures for smoked whole chicken: 375°F (about 1-1.5 hours) and 250°F (about 2-3 hours). See the steps for details on how long to cook chicken based on the weight of the bird.

    How to make smoked whole chicken

    Now I’ll walk you through it…

    1. Prepare the whole chicken. Rinse and pat the whole chicken dry with a paper towel.
    2. Season the whole chicken all over by adding the olive oil and bbq rub seasoning, massaging the seasoning into the skin along the way. Tie the legs together with twine and tuck the wings into the thighs if desired. Let chicken skin dry out a bit (optional) If you have time, refrigerate the seasoned whole chicken before smoking it for 15 minutes to 2 hours (or overnight). Drying out the chicken skin is always great, but if you are in a rush you can skip it. 
    3. Turn on the Traeger grill or pellet smoker you’re using, to preheat for 15 minutes at 250°F OR 375°F. (Set temperature based on how fast you want it to cook, based on the next step. The smoked chicken in the Sip Bite Go demo was cooked at 250°F for a couple hours).
    4. Add seasoned whole bird to the smoker and smoke Traeger whole chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. At a smoking temperature of 250°F this will be about 30-45 minutes a pound. Or a smoker temperature of 375°F for about 20-25 minutes a pound.
    5. Transfer smoked whole chicken to a cutting board to rest, covered with foil, for at least 20 minutes to let the juices settle. Carve and enjoy.
    This ​​smoked chicken recipe always turns out 100% perfect.

    Next up? Learn how to smoke a ham…

    For a side dish, see this smoked corn on the cob seen in this recipe video or this smoked mac and cheese.

    Best chicken smoker recipes from Sip Bite Go

    • Smoked whole chicken
    • Traeger smoked chicken thighs
    • Smoked wings
    • Smoked chicken breast
    • Chicken temperature guide

    FAQs 

    How long does it take to smoke a chicken at 375°F?

    Smoke chicken at 375°F for about 60-90 minutes, until it reaches a safe initial temperature of 165°F.

    How long to smoke a chicken at 250°F?

    Smoke chicken at 250°F for about 2-3 hours, until the chicken does completely reach 165°F internally. The photos and video feature chicken in my Sip Bite Go recipe demo was smoked at 250 degrees for a couple of hours.

    How do you check the temperature of smoked whole chicken?

    Use a digital meat thermometer, stuck into the thickest part of the meat (without touching bones). Once the internal temperature of smoked chicken reaches 165°F, the smoked whole chicken is ready to take off the Traeger.

    What type of pellet chips do you use for chicken?

    Use either the Traeger blend or apple wood pellets to smoke whole chicken.

    What sauces go with smoked whole chicken?

    Make a simple pan sauce with chicken broth, or try this romesco sauce, a simple peppercorn sauce, or even this cool, a bit spicy, creamy jalapeno ranch dressing. Or you can mix together a glaze of equal parts (about 1 tbsp) of honey and bbq sauce with a pinch of brown sugar and a splash of water (or bourbon will go well with that smoke flavor!). 

    What do you serve with smoked chicken?

    Anything that goes with pan grilled chicken is a great side dish for smoked chicken, too. A classic potato side dish like sous vide little potatoes, crock pot sweet potatoes, a topping of caramelized onions, and a vegetable like sauteed carrots or sous vide asparagus are great ideas.

    What can you make with leftover smoked chicken?

    Leftovers (if you even have any!) stay tremendously juicy and are delicious for smoked nachos, chicken taco pizza, wraps, bbq chicken tacos or chicken spinach pizza the next day. Or try your own spiff on these turkey avocado sandwiches. Dream big with your leftover BBQ smoked chicken!

    More Tasty Grill + Smoker Recipes

    • Smoked mac and cheese
    • Smoked cream cheese
    • Smoked brisket flat
    • 321 ribs
    • Beer can chicken on the smoker
    • Smoked wings
    • Smoked tomahawk steak
    • Traeger tri tip
    • Smoked turkey breast
    • Smoked turkey legs
    • Whole smoked turkey
    • Smoked Traeger pizza
    • Smoked onion rings
    • Traeger smoked ham
    • Smoked whole chicken
    • Smoked jalapeno poppers
    • Smoked corn on the cob
    • Traeger beef ribs
    • Smoked leg of lamb
    • Smoked shrimp
    • Grilled chicken wings
    • Grilled skirt steak
    • Flank steak marinade
    • Grilled potato wedges
    • Smoked pulled pork
    • Want more? See my lineup of easy smoker recipes

    See my favorite smoker tools and seasonings in my Amazon Storefront.

    Meat thermometer recommendations

    Every home chef needs a reliable meat thermometer to cook food perfectly. 

    On Sip Bite Go, you’ll often see me using:

    1. Meater thermometer – a fancy wireless thermometer that connects to a phone app – gifted to me from a Traeger partnership.
    2. ThermoPro digital thermometer – which has a wire that connects the thermometer to a display box outside the oven/grill. 

    It’s like being psychic! The great thing about either of the thermometers above is that I don’t have to take the food out of the oven to know the temperature. 

    How to use ‘em… What I do is stick the digital thermometer in steak, pork, chicken, whatever… Then put the food in the oven, on the smoker, or grill.

    While the meat cooks, it reads the temperature so I know exactly what temp meat is as it’s cooking. Without having to take it out and check. It’s really difficult to overcook food when you know exactly what temp it is inside!

    Why I wrote this recipe

    The secret is out: cooking a whole bird looks so much fancier than it is! I’m a huge fan of serving a family meal, or get together dish, with one of my tasty whole chicken recipes as the centerpiece.

    So I wanted to see how easy, and how simple I could make a smoked whole chicken on a Traeger. My goal was to have a meal we could pop in during the day when working from home, so we had a really nice weekday meal.

    Tasty whole chicken recipes from Sip Bite Go

    • Pellet smoker beer can chicken
    • Smoked whole chicken
    • Smoked spatchcock chicken
    • Air fry whole chicken
    • Sous vide whole chicken
    • Crock pot whole chicken
    • Vacuum seal whole chicken
    • How to spatchcock chicken

    See how to roast turkey breast in the oven and smoked turkey breast

    Are you a foodie, too?

    Hey home chefs, hope that answers all your questions about how to set your Traeger for smoking chicken that turns out super tasty.

    If you don’t follow me on instagram you totally should @sipbitego. And for more deliciousness, subscribe to the Sip Bite Go channel and see the Sip Bite Go recipe collection.

    smoked whole chicken traeger

    Smoked Whole Chicken Recipe With Traeger Instructions | Sip Bite Go

    Make the best Traeger smoked chicken with a simple BBQ rub. This flavor-packed smoker recipe is one of the fastest, too. You’ll learn exactly how to make the best smoked whole chicken without brine. Let’s smoke some tasty food!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    Finish Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 457kcal
    Author: Jenna Passaro

    Ingredients

    • 1 whole chicken about 2-3 LBs – the whole bird
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1.5 tbsp BBQ seasoning any BBQ dry rub or use poultry seasoning

    Instructions

    • Prepare the whole chicken. Rinse and pat the whole chicken dry with a paper towel.
    • Season the whole chicken all over by adding the olive oil and bbq rub seasoning, massaging the seasoning into the skin along the way. Tie the legs together with twine and tuck the wings into the thighs if desired. Let chicken skin dry out a bit (optional but recommended if you like super crispy skin) If you have time, refrigerate the seasoned whole chicken before smoking it for 15 minutes to 2 hours (or overnight). Drying out the chicken skin is always great, but if you are in a rush you can skip it.
    • Turn on the Traeger grill or pellet smoker you’re using, to preheat for 15 minutes at 250°F OR 375°F. (Set temperature based on how fast you want it to cook, based on the next step. The smoked chicken in the Sip Bite Go demo was cooked at 250°F for a couple hours).
    • Add seasoned whole bird to the smoker and smoke Traeger whole chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. At a smoking temperature of 250°F this will be about 30-45 minutes a pound. Or a smoker temperature of 375°F for about 20-25 minutes a pound.
    • Transfer smoked whole chicken to a cutting board to rest, covered with foil, for at least 20 minutes to let the juices settle. Carve and enjoy.

    Video

    Notes

    See the recipe: https://sipbitego.com/smoked-whole-chicken
    See the recipe video for smoking a whole chicken on Sip Bite Go’s YouTube.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 457kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 143mg | Sodium: 135mg | Potassium: 398mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 413IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SipBiteGo or tag #sipbitego!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Norman Liebert says

      July 12, 2022 at 8:10 pm

      Thanks for sharing this! I’ve been grilling all summer and looking forward to it again this weekend! Excited to try burgers for my next cookout.5 stars

      Reply
    2. Lacey says

      January 12, 2022 at 5:28 pm

      Just had this tonight for dinner and WOW it was so good and juicey!! I’m gonna make it at my mom’s one day, how long would you suggest for 2 chickens?

      Reply
      • Jenna Passaro says

        February 04, 2022 at 6:51 pm

        They should smoke during the same time.

        Reply

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    Primary Sidebar

    jenna passaro food blogger from Portland Oregon

    Hey, I’m Jenna Passaro.

    I develop easy recipes that can transform your kitchen into a restaurant – and you into a true home chef.

      

    Where to start?

    Learn the secrets to smoking tasty Traeger recipes and making pizza at home. And cook amazing tri tip steak dinners.

    Or, fall in love with something new to cook with your air fryer, pellet smoker, BBQ grill, sous vide cooker, and more…

    You’ll notice, I kind of geek out over new cooking trends and tools!

    Instagram me @sipbitego & chef hubs @handmodelpatrick

    My story. Growing up, I didn’t learn to cook.

    (I was actually banned from cooking for years)

    And then in my 20’s I didn’t have to cook because my job as an event planner involved a lot of travel and it was easier to eat out. At the time, I was 100% positive that restaurant food would always taste better than cooking at home, and there was nothing I could do about it.

    Until I fell in love with a chef. He would come over and cook me delicious meals right in my own kitchen. My mind was blown.

    Since then, I’ve been on a mission to figure out easy ways to make restaurant style food at home and share it here on Sip Bite Go.

    Love to eat out and travel? I can totally relate. See my guide on where to eat in Portland, OR.

    jenna passaro the home chef's sous vide cookbook

    Never in a million years did I imagine I’d ditch the 9-5 lifestyle in my late 20’s, move across the country on a whim, start a new life, start a food blog, and write a book.

    But here I am!

    See my book on Amazon: The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook.

     

       

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