how to make lemon spiced smoked chicken recipe

We got a smoker a while back and have been grilling ribs with it. a lot. There has been some trial and error with chicken.  Like when cooking chicken in the smoker, it only needs a couple hours, not 1/2 a day like you do ribs. Unless you want it petrified and hard like a rock.  Cooking slow and low is the best way to keep the chicken from drying out. This lemon rub is really good.  It was our best every win when we smoked chicken in the smoker.  The chicken will have a nice dark color from the smoking.  The lemon and spices will infuse and  make this chicken full of flavor.

You will want to soak your wood chips for your smoker a head of time. We cook a lot of cherry wood.   You can select whatever wood you prefer.

Turn on smoker and start to preheat to 200-250F.

In a bowl or bag, mix the spices and zest together.

Cut the whole chicken in half and pat dry.

Lift the skin and apply the spices.  Do this for both halves.

You can then put spices on the remainder of the chicken.

Allow the chicken to come up to room temperature while the smoker comes to temperature.  This helps the chicken cook evenly.

When the smoker is up to temp, you can put the chicken in and allow it to get to 165F (use a meat thermometer) .  This will take about 2 hours.

Remove from the smoker and serve.

This makes great leftovers (if you have any) for chicken salad, pot pies.