--- title: Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken published: "2019-12-02 01:11:52" author: Nick LeRoy url: "https://www.pelletsmoker.net/recipes/smoked-salt-pepper-whole-chicken/" updated: "2023-10-07 16:49:12" featured_image: "https://www.pelletsmoker.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/salt-pepper-smoked-whole-chicken.jpg" categories: - "[Recipes](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/recipes/)" tags: - "[chicken](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/tag/chicken/)" custom_fields: yield: serves 5 people pellet type: Blend preptime: 10 min totaltime: 45 min smokeTemp: 150 degrees finished_temp: 200 degrees --- # Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken A whole chicken is by far the easiest and friendliest smoking project you can take on. Don’t believe me? Simply try this recipe. I and many others started with whole chickens and before you know it you’re tackling [beef roast](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/recipes/smoked-bottom-round-roast-beef/), [Sirloin](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/recipes/smoked-top-sirloin-steak/), [ribs](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/recipes/smoked-bbq-pork-ribs/), and even [shrimp](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/recipes/smoked-cajun-garlic-butter-shrimp/). Smoking food is a fun hobby and produces amazing tasting food. How to smoke a whole chicken ---------------------------- I recently picked up a two-pack of whole chickens at Costco. Each chicken is roughly 4-5 lbs and the total cost for both was roughly $10.00. Just another reason why smoking chicken is a great project for both folks new to the hobby and seasoned experts. ![](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/whole-chicken-packaged-e1575248776449.jpg)1. Heat your pellet smoker to 225 degrees. 2. Remove the chicken from the package, rinse the meat under cool water and pat dry with some paper towels. 3. Cover the chicken with salt and pepper. 4. Add your meat thermometer or probe (I use the iGrill Mini) 5. Place your chicken on the pellet smoker. 6. The chicken needs roughly 2.5 hours or when your thermometer reads 165 degrees **Crispy Skin Fanatics Please Read** Since this chicken is smoke at a really low temperature the skin by default is softer. If you’re like me and crave crispy chicken then you’ll love this tip. Once your chicken hits 140 degrees, crank your pellet grill up to 400-450 for the remaining 20 minutes or until your chicken finishes reaching 165 degrees. ![](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/sliced-whole-chicken.jpg)By the way, ever wanted an entire whole chicken to yourself? Check out my recipe for [smoked cornish hens](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/recipes/smoked-cornish-game-hens/). You may never go back to sharing whole chickens again! Enjoy this recipe? Consider supporting this website --------------------------------------------------- Buy your bbq pellets via this [amazon link](https://www.amazon.com/bbq-pellets/s?k=bbq+pellets&_encoding=UTF8&tag=pelletsmoke0c-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=29df7afcb528ffed583cd8d1436663a8&camp=1789&creative=9325) and you’ll support the site at no additional cost to you. [![](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/support_pelletsmokernet.png)](https://www.amazon.com/bbq-pellets/s?k=bbq+pellets&_encoding=UTF8&tag=pelletsmoke0c-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=29df7afcb528ffed583cd8d1436663a8&camp=1789&creative=9325) [![](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/salt-pepper-smoked-whole-chicken-500x500.jpg)](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/salt-pepper-smoked-whole-chicken.jpg) Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken ---------------------------- This whole chicken recipe is one of the easiest pellet smoker recipes you can make. It's also one of the most delicious! 4.41 from 5 votes 2 hours hrs 50 minutes mins Prep Time 20 minutes minutes Cook Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes Total Time 2 hours hours 50 minutes minutes [ Print Recipe](https://www.pelletsmoker.net/wprm_print/traeger-smoked-whole-chicken) [ Pin Recipe](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pelletsmoker.net%2Frecipes%2Fsmoked-salt-pepper-whole-chicken%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pelletsmoker.net%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F12%2Fsalt-pepper-smoked-whole-chicken.jpg&description=Traeger+Smoked+Whole+Chicken&is_video=false) Tried this recipe?[Let us know](#comment) how it was! ## Recipe Schema Markup recipe short code