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Smoked Chicken

This is often referred to as Chicken on a Throne because of the way it is cooked. I do this on my smoker, but it can be done in a kettle style bbq. These instructions are for smoke cooking for which you need to have a way to know and maintain a reasonably constant temperature.

What you need

  1. Whole 3 1/2 - 4 lb chicken, patted dry with paper towels
  2. 1 can beer, half full
  3. Garlic cloves
  4. 3-4 small bay leaves
  5. Herbs
  6. Olive Oil
  7. Disposable heavy duty foil pan (round or square)
  8. Salt & Pepper
  9. Apple Wood twigs or chunks

How to make it

  1. Soak wood chunks in water
  2. Prepare grill and coals and bring to a temp of between 200 and 220
  3. Bring chicken to room temperature (remove from refrigerator about 30 minutes before cooking)
  4. Rub inside of chicken with salt
  5. Into half-full beer, place a couple of garlic cloves, 2 bay leaves and any herbs you wish to use
  6. Place beer can into the chicken cavity (don't spill) and adjust the bird so it is balanced with the legs bent forward
  7. Place into the center of the disposable pan
  8. Pour a small amount of water around the base of the pan and add more garlic cloves, bay leaves and herbs if using
  9. Rub the chicken skin all over with olive oil
  10. Rub with salt and black pepper
  11. When the grill has been brought to the proper temperature, add the soaked wood to the coals and place the Chicken on the rack
  12. Close the grill and use the vents to maintain the temperature between 200-220 degrees for about 4 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 180 degrees. When cooked, the legs should separate easily when pulled upward.
  13. Remove from the grill and let stand about 30 minutes
  14. Gently remove the beer can (this can require a jerk but be careful of the hot liquid inside) and place on a carving board.

Cooked this way, the chicken is steamed from the inside and roasted from the outside. The breast meat can be a little dry sometimes. I recommend serving this with the Worcestershire BBQ Sauce. An alternative to the beer can is roasting rack that fits within your pan.

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