Smoked Herbed Chicken Recipe

You are going to love this smoked herb chicken! It is has the vibes of a traditional roast chicken, with the smokey flavor we all crave! Crispy golden skin, moist and tender meat, infused with an incredible earthy, herbed flavor. It is straight up delicious!

Seriously, this herbed smoked chicken recipe is about to become your new go to smoker recipe! My family and I love smoking them for an easy weekend lunch.

Now, this might seem complicated, but honestly this is one of the easiest smoker recipes! If you’ve made a smoked chicken before, it’s literally just a case of preparing your chicken with your herbed butter and seasoning, then smoking it in your smoker until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

So, if you’re ready to elevate your chicken game and experience the mouthwatering taste of herbed smoked chicken, let’s fire up that smoker and get started. Trust me, this recipe will become a go-to in your cooking arsenal.

And if you love smoked chicken, you might also like to try this easy Traeger beer can chicken or this delicious smoked coffee rubbed chicken. Or if you’ve got some extra rosemary, why not add this smoked rosemary chicken to your cook up! 

Why Make Traeger Herbed Chicken?

I think what make this herbed smoked chicken special is that it gives you the nostalgic feel of a classic roast chicken, but better!

If you ask me, I think infusing a dish with herbs and smoking it on a Traeger grill creates a depth of flavor that cannot be replicated through traditional cooking methods.

The smoky flavor from the wood pellets infuses the meat with a rich and complex taste that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Furthermore, the slow smoking process results in a juicy and tender texture that is hard to beat and the infusion of herbs and garlic simply this dish takes it to another level.

Another thing I love about smoking a whole herbed chicken is that I feel it is a great, inexpensive way to feed a crowd, knowing that they are going to be wowed every time! Each herbed chicken has enough meat to serve several people, and because it looks so good straight off the smoker, it also makes for the perfect centerpiece for a family gathering or dinner party.

I also love grilling on my Traeger smoker as it is so simple! I can manage the cook straight from the app on my phone, no matter where I am.

How Do I Prepare A Herbed Chicken?

Before bringing the chicken to the preparation area, I unpack it in the sink to easily clean up any excess juice or packaging. If necessary, I remove the neck or giblets from the cavity and discard them, as they are not required for this recipe.

My next step is to pat the chicken dry. I do this to soak up any excess juice on the skin which helps to provide a dry surface for the seasoning to stick to.

Once the chicken is ready and dry, I gently lift the skin from around the neck opening and above the chicken breast and slide a teaspoon of herbed butter under the skin above each chicken breast.

Next, I season the chicken generously with my homemade herb mix, ensuring that I season all of the grooves and cavity.

After seasoning the chicken, I like to wrap it in a tray and refrigerate it overnight to allow the flavors to fully develop.

Trust me, taking the extra time to prep the chicken beforehand will result in a mouth-watering and flavorful meal that your taste buds will thank you for.

What Rubs Or Seasoning Do You Use On Herb Smoked Chicken?

For this recipe I use a homemade herb rub. It is simply a mix of pink Himalayan salt and a mix of fresh and dried herbs that I blend together.

Herbs I use include rosemary, parsley, oregano, and thyme. Sage is another great option to use too.  

Alternatively, you could use an off the shelf mixed herb rub.

I also like to make my own herbed butter by combining 4 tbsp of butter (room temp), 2 garlic cloves, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp rosemary, and 2 tbsp parsley.

What Are The Best Pellets For Smoker Herbed Chicken

When it comes to choosing the best pellet flavors for your smoker herb chicken, there are numerous options to consider.

Like with most chicken dishes, my personal preference is apple. I prefer apple pellets as they impart a sweet and fruity flavor that pairs well with the herb’s earthy taste. They are not too overpowering so you get a great balanced taste.

Here are a few other options:

Fruitwoods: Fruitwood pellets, such as apple, cherry, and peach, are a popular choice for smoking chicken. They provide a sweet and fruity flavor that pairs well with herbs and spices.

Mesquite: Mesquite pellets are known for their strong, bold flavor. They are a good choice for those who want a more robust smoky flavor in their herbed chicken.

Hickory: Hickory pellets are another popular choice for smoking chicken. They provide a strong, smoky flavor that pairs well with herbs and spices.

Oak: Oak pellets provide a milder smoky flavor than hickory or mesquite, making them a good choice for those who want a more subtle smoky flavor in their herbed chicken.

Alder: Alder pellets are a mild and slightly sweet option for smoking chicken. They provide a subtle smoky flavor that won’t overpower the herbs and spices used in the recipe.

Ultimately, the best pellets for smoking herbed chicken will depend on personal preference and the overall flavor profile you are looking to achieve. It’s also important to choose high-quality pellets made from 100% hardwood to ensure the best flavor and smoke output.

Ingredients For Smoked Whole Chicken With Herbs

• Whole Chicken (larger than 4.5lb)
• Herbed Butter
• Herb Rub

How To Make Traeger Whole Chicken Herbed

Prepare The Whole Chicken

Pat dry the chicken with a paper towel.

Pro Tip: Just lightly and patting it dry with a paper towel does two things, it allows better friction for the dry rub to take hold, but it also loosens the skin slightly allowing you to slide the butter under the skin on top of the breast.

Place Herbed Butter Under Skin

Gently lift the skin from around the neck opening and above the chicken breast and slide a teaspoon of herbed garlic butter under the skin above each chicken breast.

Season The Whole Chicken

Use your herb rub to generously season the whole chicken. Be sure to rub the herbs into all the grooves and spaces between the wings and legs of the chicken.

Fill The Cavity With Herbs (Optional)

This is an optional step if you are looking to increase your herbed flavor. Personally, I find it isn’t necessary, but it does look amazing for presentation!

So, when I am feeling fancy, I like to place two rosemary sprigs, cut to the size of the chicken, and other fresh herbs like parsley inside the cavity of the chicken. Not only does this add that wow factor to the presentation, but it also helps to infuse your chicken with even more of that incredible herb flavor, but don’t worry it won’t be overpowering.

Rest The Chicken

Wrap the chicken either in a container, foil tin or cling wrap and allow it to rest.

Pro Tip: Let the chicken rest for at least an hour. I like to rest it overnight wrapped and placed in the refrigerator.

Pre-Heat Your Traeger Grill

When ready to cook preheat the grill to 200°F with super smoke on.

Tip: Ensure that the grills are placed such that there is plenty of room for the chicken, I like to remove the top shelf of my Ironwood850 to make it easier to access the chicken.

Place Your Chicken Into The Grill

Place the chicken directly on the grill.

Insert the smoker/BBQ thermometer probe into the breast of the chicken, trying to position the probe in the thickest section of breast.

Ensure the other end of your smoker/BBQ thermometer is connected to your Traeger (or thermometer and turned on).

Pro Tip: You can cook the chicken in an oven safe container to make transferring the chicken easier, but this will take away some of that smoky flavor.

Smoke

1. Smoke your chicken for 60 mins/1 hour.
2. After the 1 hour, increase the Traeger temperature to 350°F. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
3. Once the internal temperature reaches 140°F, increase your Traeger temperature to 450°F until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

Pro Tip: Increasing the temperature for the last ~20 minutes will give the skin that lovely color and crispy texture.

Rest The Chicken

Once cooked remove the chicken from the grill and wrap in foil for an hour.

Carve

Once rested you can remove the orange quarters from the cavity and carve the chicken.

Variations For Traeger Roasted Herb Chicken

There are many variations you can make to Traeger roasted herb chicken to add some variety to your recipe. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Smoked Lemon Herb Chicken: Add some fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to your herb mixture to give your roasted chicken a bright and tangy flavor. I also highly recommend this smoked lemon pepper chicken combo!
• Garlic-Herb Chicken: Add some minced garlic to your herb mixture for a savory and aromatic twist on the classic recipe.
• Spicy-Herb Chicken: Add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to your herb mixture for a spicy kick.
• Honey-Herb Chicken: Mix some honey with your herbs for a sweet and savory glaze that will caramelize on the chicken during cooking.
• Smoky-Herb Chicken: Use a combination of smoky herbs, like smoked paprika and cumin, to give your roasted chicken a smoky flavor that will pair perfectly with the Traeger smoke.
• Mediterranean-Herb Chicken: Use a combination of oregano, thyme, and parsley for a herb blend that will transport you to the Mediterranean.
• BBQ-Herb Chicken: Mix some BBQ sauce with your herb mixture for a tangy and sweet glaze that will complement the smoky flavor of the Traeger smoke.

These are just a few ideas to help you get creative with your Traeger roasted herb chicken. Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to create a recipe that is uniquely yours.

What To Serve With A BBQ Herbed Chicken

When it comes to serving BBQ herbed chicken, I think there are a ton of great options for sides and accompaniments that can complement the smoky flavor of the chicken. Here are a few ideas:

Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant are a great side dish for BBQ chicken. You can season them with the same herbs and spices as the chicken for a complementary flavor.

Corn on the Cob: Grilled or boiled corn on the cob is a classic BBQ side dish that pairs perfectly with herbed chicken. You can serve it with butter and a sprinkle of herbs for extra flavor.

Potato Salad: A creamy potato salad is a great side dish for BBQ chicken. You can add some chopped herbs, like parsley and chives, to the dressing for extra flavor.

Coleslaw: A crunchy coleslaw with a tangy dressing is a refreshing side dish for herbed BBQ chicken. You can add some herbs to the dressing, like dill or thyme, for extra flavor.

Baked Beans: A classic BBQ side dish, baked beans are a sweet and savory complement to herbed chicken. You can add some chopped bacon or herbs, like rosemary or sage, to the recipe for extra flavor.

Garlic Bread: Grilled garlic bread is a great side dish for herbed BBQ chicken. You can brush it with garlic-infused butter and sprinkle with herbs like oregano or basil for extra flavor.

These are just a few ideas for sides to serve with BBQ herb chicken. You can mix and match to create a balanced and delicious meal that your family or guests will love.

FAQs On Traeger Whole Chicken Recipes

Most Loved Smoker Recipes

Traeger Smoked Orange Chicken – This Traeger whole chicken with orange recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors with it’s zesty orange citrus kick!

Traeger Smoked Brisket – This recipe is perfect if you’re looking for an easy smoked brisket recipe that delivers a moist and tender brisket time after time!

Traeger Pork Butt – Picture a succulent, smoky pork butt slow-cooked to perfection on a Traeger grill. Tender, juicy meat infused with Traeger’s signature wood pellet flavors that simply melts in your mouth.

Smoked Lemon Chicken – The perfect fusion of smoky flavors, along with a delightful lemon kick, makes it an ideal choice for any occasion, from weekend lunches to special celebrations.

Final Thoughts On Smoked Whole Chicken With Herbs

I absolutely love cooking this herb smoked chicken recipe, and I’m sure you will too! It really is a great way to infuse delicious flavors into the meat and create a unique and impressive dish that everyone will love.

Whether you prefer rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, or basil, you can easily adapt this recipe to suit your tastes perfectly, though I think it is perfect just how it is!

So, if you’re looking for a delicious and impressive whole chicken smoker recipe, then it’s time to prep your smoker as my herbed chicken is sure to wow.