Best 2 Smoked Citrus Chicken Recipes

Preparing smoked citrus chicken is an art that blends smoky flavors with the vibrant zest of citrus fruits. Whether you prefer a sweet, tangy, or spicy twist, this dish offers endless possibilities for culinary exploration. Utilizing a smoker or grill, this recipe infuses the chicken with a delightful smoky aroma, while the citrus marinade adds a layer of complexity that tantalizes the taste buds. Get ready to embark on a journey of flavors as we guide you through the steps of creating the perfect smoked citrus chicken, a dish that will leave your family and friends craving for more.

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BBQ BILL'S CITRUS SMOKED CHICKEN

BBQ Bill's Citrus Smoked Chicken image

Chicken is marinated in a simple lemon-lime soda mixture, then smoked all day. This makes delicious, moist, smoked chicken.

Provided by WHATS HIS FACE

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Whole Chicken Recipes

Time 18h5m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 4

Ingredients

1 (6 pound) whole chicken
4 cups lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 cups wood chips, soaked

Steps:

Place the whole chicken into a large resealable plastic bag. Sprinkle in garlic powder, then pour in enough lemon-lime soda to cover the bird. Seal the bag, and place in the refrigerator overnight to marinate.
Light charcoal in an outdoor smoker, and wait until the temperature is at 225 degrees F (110 degrees C).
Remove chicken from the bag, and place on the grill grate. Discard marinade. Cover, and cook for 10 hours. Occasionally toss a handful of soaked wood chips on the coals.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 643.6 calories, Carbohydrate 19.1 g, Cholesterol 194.1 mg, Fat 34.2 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 61.4 g, SaturatedFat 9.6 g, Sodium 205.9 mg, Sugar 0.3 g

SMOKED CITRUS CHICKEN RECIPE

Smoked Citrus Chicken Recipe image

Provided by FoodLady

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

5 5 5 pounds chicken breasts or thighs
3 3 3 qts water
1 1 1 qt orange juice
5 5 5 oz kosher salt *
1 1 1 Tsp white pepper
1 1 1 cup orange marmalade
1/2 1/2 1/2 cup orange juice
2 2 2 Tbs lime juice
2 2 2 Tbs lemon juice
2 2 2 Tbs honey
2 2 57, Tbs favorite sauce (Heinz 57, Teryaki, etc.)
1/2 1/2 1/2 Tsp salt
1/2 1/2 1/2 Tsp black pepper

Steps:

BRINE: Combine the water, orange juice, salt, and white pepper, stirring until the salt is dissolved. Cool the brine to 40 degrees before adding the chicken pieces. Soak the chicken in this citrus brine for two hours, in the fridge. SAUCE: Combine the marmalade, juices, honey, Heinz 57, salt, and black pepper at least an hour ahead of time. As an option, you can add some heat to the mix...cayenne pepper powder or red pepper flakes to taste will warm it well. Remove the chicken from the brine, rinse, drain, and dry with paper towels. Brush the chicken pieces with oil, season with pepper, and put in a 225F smoker. Apple wood is a good choice for smoke here. Plan on smoking the chicken for 2 to 4 hours at this temperature. After two hours, check the internal temperature of the chicken. Remove thighs when they're at 175 degrees F, and breasts at 165F. Cover them and let them rest for twenty minutes. Plate the smoked chicken onto a platter, and drizzle on half of the citrus sauce. Serve the chicken, with the remaining sauce for dipping. Enjoy NOTE: If you prefer chicken with crispy skin, run your smoker a little hotter, between 275-300 degrees. The chicken will be done within a couple of hours at this temperature. Check often, moving the pieces around as needed to prevent burning or overcooking. MY COMMENT: I usually smoke ribs and chicken together. I prepare the ribs and place in smoker for 4 hrs at 225 degrees then remove, baste w/BBQ sauce and WRAP in foil and RETURN to smoker. I increase the temp to 275 degrees and then place the chicken in to smoke with the ribs for 1.5 hrs. Sometimes I'll remove the chicken and place on gas grill at medium temp for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on it though because the sugars int he glaze will burn.

Tips:

Use a variety of citrus fruits. Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits all work well in this recipe. You can also use a combination of different citrus fruits.
Smoke the chicken at a low temperature. This will help to keep the chicken moist and juicy. The ideal smoking temperature is between 225 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use a smoker box. This will help to infuse the chicken with smoke flavor. If you don't have a smoker box, you can wrap the chicken in foil and place it on the grill.
Baste the chicken with citrus juice. This will help to keep the chicken moist and flavorful. You can also add herbs and spices to the basting liquid.
Let the chicken rest before serving. This will help to keep the juices in the chicken.

Conclusion:

Smoked citrus chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. With its smoky flavor and juicy texture, this chicken is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a new way to cook chicken, give smoked citrus chicken a try. You won't be disappointed!