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–+ servings
traeger smoked lemon pepper chicken

Smoked Lemon Pepper Chicken

This smoked lemon pepper chicken is full of flavor! It’s an incredible combination of perfectly smoked chicken with the tangy and zesty flavors of lemon and black pepper.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Resting Time 1 hour
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 634 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 4-5 pound Whole Chicken
  • 2 whole Fresh Lemons
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Zest
  • 2 tbsp Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 tbsp Salt You can adjust the amount to taste.
  • 1 tbsp Garlic Powder Optional, for added flavor
  • 1 tbsp Onion Powder Optional, for added flavor

Instructions
 

  • Pat dry the chicken with a paper towel.
  • Mix the pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and half lemon zest together to create your lemon pepper rub. Alternatively you can use a store brought lemon pepper dry rub.
  • 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 remainder of the lemon zest over the top of the chicken rub evenly across the chicken.
  • Cut the lemons into quarters and/or eighths. Start with the lemon that you have already zested. Use the lemon quarters to stuff the cavity of the chicken.
    Once the quarters are in there push in some of the eighths of lemon to ensure that it is a nice tight fit.
    If you want the extra wow factor, place a lemon quarter on each of the legs as this will add to the presentation.
    Wrap the chicken either in a container, foil tin or cling wrap and allow it to rest.
  • When ready to cook preheat the smoker to 200°F with super smoke on.
  • 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).
  • Smoke your chicken for 60mins/1 hour.
  • After the 1 hour, increase the Traeger temperature to 350°F. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
  • Once the internal temperature reaches 140°F, increase your Traeger temperature to 450°F until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
  • Once cooked remove the chicken from the grill and wrap in foil for an hour.
  • Once cooled you can remove the lemon quarters from the cavity and carve the chicken.

Notes

I like to season the chicken the night before a cook, but even an hour with provide enough time for the seasoning to take hold.
If you are using a chicken throne instead of stuffing the chicken with lemon pieces, rest the chicken without the chicken throne in place. Add the throne right before you add it to the smoker.
Before pre-heating the Traeger ensure that the grill plate is on the lowest level and middle shelf is removed, this will provide the most space possible for the whole chicken to sit.
Increasing the temperature for the last ~20 minutes will give the skin that lovely color and crispy texture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServeCalories: 634kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 94gFat: 51gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 31gCholesterol: 366mgSodium: 279mg
Keyword Smoked Chicken, Traeger Chicken Recipes
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