Traeger Smoked Orange Chicken Recipe

Are you looking for an alternative to Orange Glazed Ham at Christmas or something a little smaller than turkey on Thanksgiving? Or even a special dish to wow your guests?

Then look no further than my Traeger orange chicken recipe!

This Traeger whole chicken with orange recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors with it’s zesty orange citrus kick! Perfect for any occasion!

And thanks to its simplicity, it takes very little time and effort to prepare.

For this cook, I have used my Trager Ironwood 885. Ideally, you’ll need a Trager grill with WiFIRE, however you should be able to easy adapt the recipe for other pellet smokers.

Why Make Traeger Orange Chicken?

Making Traeger orange chicken is a delicious way to add a sweet and tangy flavor to your chicken dish.

The addition of orange juice and zest provides a fresh, citrusy taste that complements the chicken well.

When cooked on a Traeger grill, the orange chicken will have a smoky flavor that combines perfectly with the sweet and tangy sauce, resulting in a mouthwatering meal.

Here are the reasons to make an orange chicken recipe on a pellet smoker:

• Flavor: The orange juice and zest provide a sweet and tangy flavor to the chicken, and the smoky flavor from the pellet smoker complements the dish perfectly.
• Moisture: The marinade helps to keep the chicken moist, ensuring that it remains juicy even after cooking.
• Healthier: Cooking chicken on a pellet smoker is a healthier option than deep-frying, and the addition of fresh orange juice and zest adds vitamins and nutrients to the dish.
• Convenience: Cooking on a pellet smoker is convenient and easy, making it a great option for a weeknight meal or a casual get-together.
• Unique presentation: The combination of smoky and sweet flavors makes for a unique and attractive presentation.
• Easy to cook: The orange chicken recipe is relatively easy to prepare and cook, making it a great option for those who want a delicious meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

Do I Have To Rinse My Whole Chicken Before Cooking?

It is not necessary to rinse a whole chicken before cooking, as this does not remove bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. In fact, rinsing a chicken can actually spread bacteria by splashing it around the kitchen and onto other surfaces.

The best way to handle raw chicken is to wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling it, and to keep it separate from other foods to prevent cross-contamination.

Once the chicken has been cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F, it is safe to eat.

If you are concerned about bacteria on the chicken, it is recommended to cook it to a safe temperature, rather than trying to wash it off before cooking.

How To Cook Chicken Safely

Following the time in the instructions guides below will ensure the chicken is cooked safely throughout.

However, the only guaranteed way to cook chicken to a safe temperature throughout is with the use of a meat temperature probe inserted into the middle of the chicken breast.

Due to the varying sizes of whole chickens, I strongly recommend using a probe thermometer.

When the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F it is cooked perfectly.

How Do I Prepare an Orange Chicken?

I like to pat dry the whole chicken, ensuring to unpack the chicken in the sink to allow excess juice and packaging to be easily cleaned, before introducing the chicken to the preparation area.

In some instances, depending on where you purchase or acquire your whole chicken you may need to remove the neck or packet of giblets from the cavity. If this is the case, you can discard of them as they are not needed for this recipe.

Once ready and dry, I like to season the chicken with the desired seasoning, ensuring I season all the grooves and cavity.

You will then need to stuff the chicken cavity with your quartered oranges. I also like to add a few orange slices under each leg for presentation.

I then like to wrap in a tray and refrigerate overnight for best flavors.

What Rubs Or Seasoning Do You Use On Orange Chicken?

You can use any off-the shelf chicken rubs, personally I like to use my own smoker chicken rub recipe to cover the chicken generously and then add on some grated orange zest and herbs. This adds texture to the already incredible zesty flavor.

Ingredients For Smoked Whole Chicken With Orange

• Whole Chicken (larger than 4.5lb)
• Butter
• Roast Chicken Rub
• Whole Fresh Orange

How To Make Traeger Whole Chicken With Orange

Prepare The Whole Chicken

Pat dry the chicken with a paper towel. Cut off two fine slices of butter about 5mm (0.2 inches) thick and slide a slice of butter under the skin above each chicken breast.

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.

Season The Whole Chicken

Season the chicken generously with the seasoning. Be sure to rub the seasoning into all the grooves and spaces between the wings and legs of the chicken. Sprinkle the orange zest over the top of the chicken rub evenly across the chicken.

Pro Tip: Be sure to grate the outside of 1 orange with a fine grater to collect the zest. Sprinkle this zest over the chicken for a generous and tasty flavor.

Fill The Cavity With Oranges

Cut the orange into quarters and/or eighths. Start with the orange that you have already zested. Use the orange quarters to stuff the cavity of the chicken. Once the quarters are in there push in some of the eighths of orange to ensure that it is a nice tight fit. Place an orange quarter on each of the legs as this will add that wow factor to the presentation. 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 375°F.

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 until the internal temperature reaches 140°F. This should take 70-90 minutes.
2. When the internal temperature reaches 140°F, increase the Traeger temperature to 400°F. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°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 Orange Chicken

If you’re looking for alternatives to orange in a recipe, here are a few options:

• Smoked Lemon Chicken: Lemon has a bright, tangy flavor that is similar to orange, and can be used to add a citrusy taste to dishes. You can even make it a smoked lemon pepper chicken for an extra twist!
• Lime: Lime has a sharper, more acidic flavor than lemon, and can be used to add a pop of flavor to dishes.
• Grapefruit: Grapefruit has a slightly bitter taste and can be used to add a unique flavor to dishes.
• Mandarin oranges: Mandarin oranges are sweeter and milder than regular oranges, and can be used to add a touch of sweetness to dishes.
• Tangerine: Tangerines are similar to mandarin oranges, but slightly sweeter and more fragrant. They can be used to add a fresh and juicy flavor to dishes.

In recipes calling for orange juice or zest, these alternatives can be substituted in equal amounts to add a different flavor to the dish.

What To Serve With A BBQ Orange Chicken

Whole orange chicken is a flavorful dish that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are some popular options:

• Rice: Rice is a classic pairing for orange chicken, and can help absorb the flavorful sauce. Steamed white rice or fried rice work well.
• Noodles: Noodles, such as lo mein or udon, can also be paired with orange chicken to make a satisfying meal.
• Vegetables: Roasted or stir-fried vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers, provide a healthy and flavorful side dish to the chicken.
• Asian slaw: A crunchy slaw made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and red bell peppers, and dressed with a sweet and tangy Asian-style dressing.
• Quinoa salad: A nutty and flavorful quinoa salad, made with quinoa, veggies, and a light dressing, can be a great side to the orange chicken.
• Cucumber salad: A refreshing cucumber salad made with sliced cucumbers, red onions, and a light vinaigrette can balance out the sweetness of the orange chicken.
• Corn salad: A corn salad made with fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, and avocado, dressed with a lime vinaigrette, is a light and refreshing side to the orange chicken.

FAQs on Traeger Whole Chicken Recipes

More Whole Chicken Recipes:

Smoked Rosemary Chicken Recipe – This twist on a classic roast chicken is one of my most loved whole smoked chicken recipes and a staple in our house!

Traeger Beer Can Chicken Recipe – My simple, no fuss method to produce perfectly moist, flavorsome chicken every time.

Smoked Chili Lime Chicken Recipe – This smoked chili lime chicken is a must for all the chili fans out there! With each bite, you’ll experience a harmonious balance of savory, spicy, and citrusy notes that will leave you craving more.

Smoked Coffee Rubbed Chicken Recipe – This recipe combines the rich, smoky flavor of smoked chicken with the unique taste of coffee.

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!

Smoked Herbed Chicken – 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!

Or if you’re looking for a great beef recipe, I highly recommend checking out my Traeger Smoked Brisket!

Final Thoughts On Smoked Orange Chicken

I’m sure my Traeger orange chicken recipe is going to be a huge hit with my family and friends!

If you don’t have any oranges on hand you can easily substitute this recipe with different types of citrus fruits, like lemon or limes.

With this Traeger citrus chicken recipe, I’m confident you’ll have a delicious meal everyone will enjoy!