Whole Smoked Chicken with Bold Pepper Rub
This spatchcocked whole chicken is coated in a bold spice rub with paprika, chili powder, cayenne, black pepper, thyme, garlic, onion, and salt. Smoking brings out its deep, peppery flavor, making it a fitting centerpiece for a relaxed weekend meal or outdoor gathering.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook3 hrs 45 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Whole Smoked Chicken with Bold Pepper Rub, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 68 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 21 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 91 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 65
- Heart Health
- 79
- Metabolic
- 31
- Digestive
- 41
- Inflammatory
- 61
- Performance
- 59
- General Wellness
- 1
Preheat a smoker to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
- 2
Mix paprika, chili powder, cayenne, black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl with a fork until thoroughly combined.
- 3
Spatchcock the chicken by placing it breast-side down on a work surface. Starting at the tail end, cut along both sides of the backbone with kitchen shears. Remove the backbone. Hold both sides of the chicken and open it like a book. Turn the chicken so the breast faces up. Push down on each side of the breast with your hands until you hear it crack, then press to flatten. Rub the chicken all over with the seasoning blend.
- 4
Smoke the chicken in the preheated smoker until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 140 degrees F (60 degrees C), about 3 1/2 hours. Turn the heat up to 350 to 400 degrees F (175 to 200 degrees C), and expose the skin to direct heat to finish cooking until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), about 15 more minutes.
- 5
Remove the chicken from the smoker, cover it with foil, and let it rest until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 10 minutes. Cut and serve.
- 6
Turn the chicken so the breast is facing up.
- 7
Press down firmly on each side of the breast with your hands until you hear it crack; press to flatten.
- 8
Rub the chicken all over with the seasoning blend.
- 9
Smoke the chicken in the preheated smoker until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 140 degrees F (60 degrees C), about 3 1/2 hours.
- 10
Increase the heat to 350 to 400 degrees F (175 to 200 degrees C) and apply direct heat to the skin to finish cooking to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), about 15 more minutes.
- 11
Remove the chicken from the smoker, cover it with foil, and let it rest until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 10 minutes.
- 12
Cut and serve.
- Calories 323.28 kcal Moderate 16%
- Protein 63.96 g Good Source 128%
- Carbohydrate 8.06 g 3%
- Total Fat 3.92 g Moderate 5%
- Saturated Fat 0.2 g Low Source 1%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 165.06 mg High 55%
- Sodium 199.65 mg Moderate 9%
- Dietary Fiber 3.15 g Moderate 11%
- Total Sugars 0.97 g --
- Added Sugars 0.17 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 50.72 mg Low Source 4%
- Iron 2.97 mg Moderate 17%
- Potassium 169.17 mg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin A 6.35 mcg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin C 1.49 mg Low Source 2%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Whole Smoked Chicken with Bold Pepper Rub is made with 10 ingredients and serves 6. It takes about 4 hrs and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Breast, and Chili Powder. Each serving provides about 323.28 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Whole Smoked Chicken with Bold Pepper Rub made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Breast, Chili Powder, Dried Thyme. The full list of 10 is above.
- How long does it take to make Whole Smoked Chicken with Bold Pepper Rub?
- About 4 hrs in total: 15 mins to prepare and 3 hrs 45 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 323.28 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Whole Smoked Chicken with Bold Pepper Rub easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 10 ingredients and 12 steps.
- Is Whole Smoked Chicken with Bold Pepper Rub healthy?
- Whole Smoked Chicken with Bold Pepper Rub has an easyChef Pro health score of 61/100. Per serving, it provides 323.28 calories and 63.96 g of protein, or 128% of the Daily Value. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 199.65 mg (9% of the Daily Value). It contains Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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