Citrus Ale Smoked Chicken
This Citrus Ale Smoked Chicken is perfectly juicy, loaded with flavor, and makes a great lighter Summer meal.
Ingredients
For the Citrus Ale Brine
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp Kosher salt
- 1 12 oz. Oberon Citrus Wheat beer or similar
For the smoked chicken
- 1 whole chicken
- Traeger Chicken BBQ Rub or other BBQ rub & a little lemon pepper seasoning
Instructions
For the Citrus Ale Brine
- Pour water, beer, and kosher salt into a sauce pan and bring to a low boil. Stir and make sure salt dissolves. Let this mixture come down to room temperature (or you can speed up the process by adding ice cubes to cool it down).
- Add the chicken to a brine bucket or large bowl. Pour the cooled brine over the chicken. Add a couple cups of cold water if the liquid doesn't cover the chicken.
- Cover and refrigerate until you are ready to smoke. I like to do this the day before so at least 4-24 hours in the brine will be good!
For the Smoked Chicken
- Pull the chicken out of the brine and either pat dry with a paper towel or let air dry. I like to put mine on a rack over the sink.
- Lightly season the chicken with the bbq rub. Sprinkle it on and try to get under the skin, too.
- Place the whole chicken on the smoker grates and tuck its legs and wings under. Then close the lid.
- Smoke at 275 degrees F for approximately 2.5-3 hours.
- Once the internal temp of the thickest part of the breast comes to 165° pull the chicken off and let rest for about 10-15 minutes. Cut and serve! Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Cooking times will vary on your ability to maintain the temperature of the smoker and the size of your chicken.