Apple Wood Smoked Chicken On The Grill

I like the flavor of "smoked food" but don't like the amount of time it takes to acquire the wonderful taste. So when your craving the smoked flavors and don't have allot of time on your hands here is a quick and easy recipe!

Ingredients:

• Apple Wood Chips
• Aluminum Pan
• Aluminum Foil
• One 3 1/2 - 4 lb. Chicken (halved)
• Dry Rub

Dry Rub Ingredients:

• Granulated Garlic
• Dried Tarragon
• Paprika
• Dried Italian Seasonings (By McCormick)
• Dry Mustard
• Salt
• Pepper

In water soak enough Apple Wood Chips to cover the bottom of a 1/2 sheet pan size aluminum pan for 3 to 4 hours prior to cooking time. I use Weber Grill Company's Chips you can order through the mail or just get chips from the supermarket. Weber's chips are great because they have big chunks as well as small. The larger ones last longer.

Prep the grill. Cover the second shelf with two layers of foil and pierce with tiny holes to let the smoke through to the chicken. Spray or brush the foil lined shelf with oil heavily to prevent the chicken from sticking.

Place Pan with chips on lower shelve next to the flame. Add an inch or so of the soaking water to the pan.

Prepare the chicken:

Add one tablespoon of all the dry ingredients except the salt and pepper into a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon Salt and 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper to the bowl. Mix well.

Sprinkle both sides of Chicken with the dry rub coating evenly, turning carefully. Use all the rub.

Preheat the grill to high to get the Apple Wood Chips going. When the grill starts to smoke the the temp is registering high, place the chicken halves on the foil skin side up over the pan with the Apple Wood Chips as seen here:

Close the grill after about two minutes (letting the grill heat back up) reduce the heat to medium low. After 40 minutes check the Wood Chip Pan and add some of the soaking water if needed close lid quickly.

When the chicken has been in an hour, check the internal temperature of the chicken, if it registers "done" (180) shut the grill lid to reheat for a couple minutes and then turn off the grill and do not open the lid. Let the chicken continue to smoke for an additional hour.

You will find the smoked taste wonderful! Slice and serve with a pasta or potatoes and vegetables.

Pasta suggestion (click link):

How To Make Easy Parmigiana & Sage Fettuccine Pasta

Enjoy ;)