Island Smoked Chicken

Take your taste buds on a tropical adventure with this Island Smoked Chicken recipe, a show-stopping main course bursting with smoky, sweet, and citrusy flavors. This dish starts with a whole chicken seasoned in a tantalizing spice rub featuring paprika, garlic powder, and brown sugar, then smoked to perfection over aromatic wood chips like hickory or applewood. During cooking, the chicken is basted with a vibrant blend of pineapple juice, soy sauce, and lime zest, infusing it with irresistible tropical notes. Perfectly tender and juicy, this smoked chicken pairs beautifully with sides like coconut rice or grilled vegetables, making it a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for any backyard barbecue or island-inspired feast. Whether you're a smoke-grilling enthusiast or a first-time smoker, this recipe will elevate your culinary game and transport you to paradise with every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 about 4-5 lbs whole chicken
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cups smoking wood chips (e.g., hickory or applewood)

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing your smoker or grill for indirect heat. Preheat it to 250°F (120°C) and soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2

Rinse the whole chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Make sure to remove any giblets from the cavity.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, dried thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar to form a spice rub.

Step 4

Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken, making sure to coat the skin and cavity for maximum flavor.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, and lime zest. This will be used to baste the chicken during cooking.

Step 6

Place the chicken on the smoker or grill (breast side up) and add the soaked wood chips to the smoker box or directly onto the coals for smoke flavor.

Step 7

Close the lid and let the chicken smoke for 3 hours, basting it with the pineapple juice mixture every 30 minutes to keep the meat moist and flavorful.

Step 8

Check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer. It should read 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast and 175°F (79°C) in the thickest part of the thighs.

Step 9

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the smoker and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute and keeps the meat tender.

Step 10

Serve warm with your favorite side dishes, such as coconut rice, grilled vegetables, or a fresh tropical salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2657 grams (2657.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	771

Total Fat 43.60g	56%
Saturated Fat 8.70g	43%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 136mg	45%
Sodium 5965mg	259%
Total Carbohydrate 62.50g	23%
Dietary Fiber 3.80g	14%
Total Sugars 51.90g
Protein 39.10g	78%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 120mg	9%
Iron 5mg	27%
Potassium 965mg	21%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.1%

Protein: 19.6%

Carbs: 31.3%