Tuscan Rosemary-Smoked Whole Chickens
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup clover honey
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
- 8 large sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 4 cups ice cubes
- One 4-pound chicken, excess fat trimmed
- Canola oil
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Special equipment: Pecan wood chips and 8 sprigs fresh rosemary, soaked in water for 2 hours
- For the brine, bring 6 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan.
- Add the broth, salt, honey, sugar, peppercorns, rosemary and garlic, stirring to dissolve the salt.
- Remove from the heat and add the ice cubes to cool quickly to room temperature.
- Place the chicken in the bucket, breast-side down, cover and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse well with cold water.
- Pat dry, place on a baking rack and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
- This will allow the skin to dry out which will produce a crisper skin while cooking.
- Preheat your smoker to 275 degrees F and up to 325 degrees F if your smoker can do it.
- Add the soaked wood chips and rosemary sprigs.
- Brush the entire chicken with canola oil and sprinkle with pepper.
- Put the chicken in the smoker and place a drip pan underneath.
- Smoke until the breast temperature reaches 160 degrees F and the thigh reaches 170 degrees F, depending on the size of the chicken, 1 1/2 to 3 hours.
chicken broth, kosher salt, honey, sugar, black peppercorns, rosemary, garlic, chicken, canola oil, freshly ground black pepper, wood chips
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/tuscan-rosemary-smoked-whole-chickens-recipe.html (may not work)