Brined Whole Chicken

[Bowfineater]

Trying smoked whole chicken for the first time.

Made an equilibrium brine at 1.5% salt

Added some celery, carrot, onion, bay leaf
Black pepper, and celery seed

2 each 5 lb chickens + 2 gal water
Figuring whole chicken is half bone
Used 5.3 oz salt
Brined for 5 days

Smoking at 250F with cherry, apple, and peach wood
Doing a ramp up of 30 min @ 150F
And 30 min @ 200F
Then smoking at 250F
Using the foil boats

Did not have a fire this time

Going on 5 hours and they are almost done

 

[Bowfineater]

Took about 6 hours with the 1 hour of ramp up.

Smoked on the rack, with that pan underneath to catch the drippings, keeps the smoker cleaner, and I have the drippings to save.

 

[mike1910]

Thanks for sharing your process. Looks great and I bet it was delicious!

 

[Bowfineater]

I actually did not try any yet, I made it for chicken salad, so I put it to the fridge to chill, will tear it apart this afternoon when I have time.  I could not find the temp probe (temporary misplaced it, it will show up) and my only meat thermometer broke, so I just went by sight, hopefully it’s not too dry.

 

[barelfly]

Looks like some good yardbird! I like that you are letting it chill, I would imagine that will give a nice smoke flavor to the chicken salad!

Enjoy!

 

[mike1910]

Making chicken salad has been one of my favorite things to do with chicken. Pasta salads is right up there too. Enjoy!

 

[Bowfineater]

The meat is all separated, and I have the bones, skin and all the drippings, including a lot of fat in the instant pot for 2 hours on high to make a stock.

I usually eat chicken skin, but it is quite rubbery when smoked.

When the stock is finished and cooled, there should be 1-2 cups of fat, I will save this, will make excellent fried potatoes.

 

[tpcdelisle]

I know this is almost years later, but take that chicken skin, place it in a skillet with a weight or even another pan to flatten it out and fry that skin until crisp.  Sprinkle some bbq seasoning on it and eat some very tasty chicken crisps. 

 

[old sarge]

Looks good.  Homemade stock is terrific.
HINT:  Dogs like rubbery skin ;D