Smoked Lemon Chicken

Smoked Lemon Chicken Recipe....

A bright, citrusy, deeply aromatic smoked chicken with crisp skin, juicy meat, and layers of lemon, garlic, and herb flavor.

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SMOKED LEMON CHICKEN (HIGH-VALUE, EXPANDED VERSION)

INGREDIENTS

For the Chicken

• 1 whole chicken (3–4 lbs), or 4–6 bone-in chicken parts

• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

• 2 large lemons (1 for zest + juice, 1 sliced)

• 6 garlic cloves, smashed

• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

• 4 sprigs fresh thyme

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp ground black pepper

• 1½ tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp onion powder

• Optional: ½ tsp crushed red pepper for a slight heat

• Optional: 1 tbsp honey for a subtle lemon-caramel glaze

For the Lemon Herb Butter (Optional but Highly Recommended)

• 3 tbsp softened butter

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• 1 tsp minced garlic

• ½ tsp salt

• Fresh herbs (thyme/rosemary), minced

Wood Chip Options

• Applewood: Mild & sweet, perfect with citrus

• Hickory: Stronger, adds deeper smoke

• Cherry: Slightly fruity, beautiful color

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prep the Chicken

1. Pat chicken very dry with paper towels (helps browning).

2. Mix oil/butter with smoked paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, lemon zest, and juice.

3. Rub mixture all over the chicken, inside and out.

4. Stuff the cavity with:

   • Lemon slices

   • Garlic cloves

   • Thyme & rosemary

OPTIONAL HIGH-VALUE STEP: Herb Butter Under the Skin

Gently loosen the skin over breasts & thighs.
Rub the lemon-herb butter underneath.
➡️ Result: Extra moisture and flavor infusion.

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2. Preheat the Smoker

• Heat smoker to 225°F (107°C).

• Add wood chips of your choice.

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3. Smoke the Chicken

1. Place chicken on smoker grate breast-side up.

2. Smoke for 2½–4 hours, depending on size.

3. Baste lightly every hour with pan juices or a little lemon-butter.

4. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.

To Crisp the Skin (HIGH-VALUE TIP)

After reaching 160°F internal:

• Increase smoker or oven to 375°F (190°C)

• Roast 10–12 minutes to crisp the skin beautifully.

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4. Rest & Serve

• Let chicken rest 10–15 minutes before carving.

• Squeeze fresh lemon over top before serving.

• Garnish with rosemary sprigs & extra lemon slices.

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LEMON SMOKE GLAZE (OPTIONAL UPGRADE)

Whisk together and brush during the last 20 minutes:

• 2 tbsp honey

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• Pinch smoked paprika

• Splash olive oil

Gives a glossy citrus finish with subtle caramelization.

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SERVING IDEAS

• Serve with roasted baby potatoes, grilled asparagus, or lemon herb rice.

• Shred leftovers into salads, wraps, or pasta.

• Perfect with iced tea, white wine, or lemon sparkling water.

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CHEF’S NOTES (HIGH-VALUE TRICKS)

• Dry brine option: Rub chicken with salt/lemon zest 12 hours ahead for extra juiciness.

• Add aromatics: A few slices of onion or whole peppercorns in the cavity make the smoke more fragrant.

• Use a water pan: Helps maintain moisture during long smoking.

• Don’t skip the zest: Lemon zest gives pure citrus aroma that survives smoking better than juice.

OTHER RECIPES

Smoked Chicken Recipe Ingredients:

* 1 whole chicken
* 1/2 cup lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon salt
* 1 whole lemon pealed
* 1 cup bread crumbs
* 2 cloves garlic
* 2 teaspoons black pepper
* 1 teaspoon tarragon
* 1/2 cup fruit wood chips

Smoked Chicken Recipe Instructions:

Clean chicken, removing anything inside. 

Rub with lemon juice and salt. 

Mix bread crumbs with garlic, pepper, tarragon. 

Stuff chicken to 1/3 full and add whole lemon. 

Add remaining stuffing. Let sit in refrigerator for 2 hours. This can be cooked either in a smoker or on a grill rotisserie. 

If smoking, prepare smoker with fruit wood chips and add chicken when coals are 80% white, and cook for 2-3 hours. 

If grilling, preheat grill with fruit wood chips, place chicken on rotisserie rod and cook on grill for 1 to 1-1/2 hours. 

The smoked chicken recipe is ready to serve....enjoy it !
Chinese-smoked-chicken-recipe

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