These Smoked Chicken Halves are a classic at barbecues. They are easy to make and have more surface area for smoke, seasonings, and sauces to stick to. Make these and you’ll see why they are a huge hit for the family and parties.
Lighting up the smoker is all about the long process of cooking, creating deep flavors for the food. When the family is getting hungry and you don’t want to wait 6-7 hours for smoked chuck roast or brisket, smoked chicken halves are here to save the day! Much less time, and by splitting the chickens there’s a flavor for everyone.
Smoking half a chicken is a great way to enjoy juicy flavorful poultry with a delicious smoky flavor. But how long does it actually take to smoke half a chicken? The total cook time can vary quite a bit depending on a few key factors.
Overview of Smoking Half a Chicken
Here’s a quick overview of the basic process for smoking half a chicken:
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Split the chicken in half by removing the backbone and cutting through the breastbone
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Prepare a brine and soak the chicken halves for 1-4 hours. Brining infuses flavor and moisture.
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Remove from brine, rinse, pat dry and coat with your favorite rub.
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Set up your smoker for indirect cooking at 225-275°F. Add smoking wood for flavor.
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Place chicken skin-side up on the smoker grates.
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Smoke for around 2-3 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
How long the chicken takes to cook will depend on its size and a few other things. A typical half chicken takes right around 2. 5-3 hours at 225-250°F. Now, let’s look more closely at how different things affect the cooking time.
Factors That Affect Cook Time
1. Chicken Size
The overall size and weight of the chicken halves will impact total cook time. A small 3-4 lb chicken may only take 2-2.5 hours, while a very large 5-6 lb bird may need 3.5-4 hours to fully cook and tenderize.
As a general guideline, plan for around 15-20 minutes per pound at 225-250°F.
So for a 4 lb half chicken, estimate around 60-80 minutes. And for a 6 lb half chicken, plan for 90-120 minutes. Check for doneness by temperature, not time.
2. Smoker Temperature
The temperature you run your smoker at will significantly influence total cook time. Low and slow smoking at 225°F will take longer than hotter smoking temps.
Here are some general cook time estimates based on smoker temp:
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225°F – Approximately 18-25 mins per lb (2.5 – 3.5 hours for half chicken)
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250°F – Approximately 15-20 mins per lb (2 – 3 hours for half chicken)
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275°F – Approximately 12-18 mins per lb (1.5 – 2.5 hours for half chicken)
The best way to tell when the chicken is done is to use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh and breast. For optimal safety and texture, cook to 165°F.
3. Using a Water Pan
Putting a water pan on your smoker can make the whole cooking process take longer. It takes a little longer to cook because the water pan helps keep the temperature even and adds moisture.
When using a water pan, expect cook times to be about 10-15% longer on average.
4. Type of Smoker
The type of smoker you use can also impact cook times. Small bullet smokers tend to cook faster, while large offset stick burners cook more slowly and gently.
Electric and pellet smokers typically provide very consistent temps for moderate cook times. Charcoal and kamado style smokers offer flexibility to cook low and slow or hot and fast.
Tips for Delicious Smoked Half Chicken
Here are a few quick tips for maximizing flavor and texture when smoking half chickens:
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Brine for 1-4 hours to increase moisture. A simple brine of 1 cup kosher salt to 1 gallon of water works great.
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Apply a flavorful rub on the meat and skin. As well as paprika, garlic, onion, mustard, salt, pepper, and more, try these spices.
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Smoke with fruit woods like apple, cherry or pecan for mild, sweet flavor.
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Smoke at 225-250°F for best results. 300°F+ can cause drier meat.
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Use a drip pan to collect juices for making sauce or gravy later.
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Flip the chicken halves over about halfway through smoking to ensure even cooking.
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Let rest for 5-10 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
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Serve with your favorite barbecue sides like beans, slaw, potatoes and bread!
Smoking half chickens takes around 2.5-3 hours at 225-250°F for most backyard smokers. A 3-4 lb half chicken may only need about 2 hours, while a 5-6 lb half may require up to 3.5 hours.
Checking for 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh is the best way to tell if the meat is done. After smoking, letting the meat rest for 5 to 10 minutes lets the juices soak back in, making it tender and juicy.
Brining, applying rubs and using fruit woods like apple or cherry will take your smoked half chickens to the next level. Enjoy your deliciously smoky poultry!
Smoking the Chicken Halves
How to Serve Smoked Chicken
Now that you have gorgeous smoked chicken halves, hopefully, you have something to go alongside them!
BBQ sauce is the obvious choice, but you can choose any flavor you want. Chicken is the perfect base for your barbecue ideas. Personally, I love using Maple Chipotle BBQ Sauce, the spicy Buffalo BBQ Sauce, the Korean Honey Mustard, or my homemade Teriyaki Sauce.
Pickled stuff – Bright, acidic flavors really add a lot of amazing flavor to the chicken. My favorite would be Smoked Pickled Jalapenos, but that Pickled Mustard Seeds are a close second.
Salsas – Try making some chicken tacos, you won’t regret it! There are so many combinations out there but some of my favorite salsas are Hatch Chile Salsa Verde, Fire-Roasted Santa Maria Salsa, Pico de gallo, or Creamy Corn Salsa.
It usually takes about 20 hours to smoke both halves of a chicken, but it can take less time depending on how big the chickens are.
It’s close, just a little less time for the half chickens. The benefit is being able to maneuver them easier around on the grill and serve smaller, customizable portions.
Absolutely, and I highly recommend it.
The USDA recommends 165°F as a safe temperature for chicken. I do like to pull the bbq chicken halves off the smoker just before that, around 158°F or so, and let the carry-over cooking bring it to the safe 165°F.
The JUICIEST Way to Smoke Barbecue Chicken…
FAQ
How long should half chicken be on the grill?
Grilling the Half Chickens Cook for 20 min and then flip skin side up. Cook for another 20 min and then rotate the chicken for even cooking. Cook for another 20-30 minutes and then check internal temperature. Pull the chicken off when at 165 F or cook a little longer if you want the skin crispier.
Can you smoke a chicken in 2 hours?
How Long to Smoke a Whole Chicken. It depends on the size of your chicken. It usually takes about two to three hours to cook a four-pound chicken, but you have to keep an eye on it to make sure it reaches 165°F.
How long does it take to smoke a chicken?
It takes about forty-five minutes per pound of meat to cook a chicken through smoking. Halving a chicken reduces the cook time to two and a half to three hours. When it comes to smoking, chicken halves are easier than bigger cuts like brisket and pork butt, but you still need to plan ahead. Here is what you need to know. 1.
How long should you smoke chicken halves?
Smoke the chicken halves for 10 minutes. Flip and continue smoking over direct heat until the internal temperature in the breast part reaches 160°F and about 185°F in the leg/thigh parts.
How do you smoke half chicken?
From cutting the chicken in half to brining and applying the rub, every step is crucial for creating a succulent, flavor-packed smoked half chicken. The first step in our chicken smoking journey is cutting the chicken in half.
How do you smoke a half chicken on a pellet grill?
Fill your pellet grill with wood chips, and preheat to 225°F. To cook the chicken to 165°F, smoke it for one to two hours and baste it every 30 minutes with apple cider or beer. Making a smoked half chicken on a pellet grill is similar to smoking a whole chicken, but it takes a little more prep work and a little less time to smoke.
Are smoked chicken halves good?
Smoked chicken halves are a great item to serve when you have eaters with hefty appetites. There is nothing quite as wonderful as giving a hungry guest, their own half chicken and watching their face light up as they realize that that big chunk of meat is all for them.
What are smoked chicken halves?
Smoked chicken halves are a classic barbecue dish made by cutting a whole chicken in half and cooking it via the indirect heat of woodsmoke. Smoking meat is the process of exposing food to smoke to preserve, brown, and add flavor. It’s one of the oldest cooking techniques, likely developed right after cooking with fire.