Classic Smoked Chicken

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Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 whole Smart Chicken

  • 3 tablespoons salt

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon paprika

  • 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon cayenne

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder

  • 1 tablespoon onion powder

  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Load a smoker with hickory wood chips and preheat to 225 to 250˚F. In a small mixing bowl, combine the salt, brown sugar, paprika, pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder. Rub the chicken thoroughly with the olive oil and generously coat with the spice mixture. Be sure to evenly coat the chicken, including the cavity. Transfer the chicken to the smoker. Cook for 1½ to 2 hours, checking the temperature of the chicken every half hour. When the chicken reaches 165˚F in the thickest portion of the breast where the leg meets the thigh, remove from smoker. Allow the chicken to rest 10 to 20 minutes before carving.

Recipe created by Chef Ben Maides, Au Courant, Omaha, NE