30 Smoked Chicken Recipes That Will Make You the Star Cook of Any BBQ! 

January 2, 2025
Written by Kristy J. Norton

There is more to smoking a chicken than just popping it in the smoker! There are so many flavors and textures to play around with here. These smoked chicken recipes show you the many delicious dishes that you can whip up with minimal effort. So, go ahead and discover your favorite recipes today! 

smoked chicken

1. Simple Smoked Chicken 

If this is your first time smoking chicken, then this is definitely the recipe that you need! Since you are smoking chicken breasts, the process is a lot easier to get right! Start by rubbing the chicken with mustard and then sprinkling with brown sugar, kosher salt, pepper, paprika, onion and garlic powder. Then, insert a thermometer into the chicken, pop into the smoker, and smoke until done! 

Get the recipe here

Simple Smoked Chicken

2. Smoked Chicken with Flavorful Dry Rub 

Now, if you want to learn how to smoke a whole chicken, then this is the recipe to turn to! Brine the chicken and then sprinkle it with a mix of brown sugar, smoked paprika, mustard powder, and other spices. Then, load the smoker up with applewood, place the chicken inside, and then cook to perfection! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Chicken with Flavorful Dry Rub

3. BBQ Smoked Chicken 

What could be better than a barbecue flavored smoked chicken? If your answer is nothing, then this is the recipe for you! Brush the chicken with oil, sprinkle with brown sugar, paprika, cumin, onion and garlic granules, and other spices. Then, place in the oven and smoke, making sure to spritz with apple juice and cider. In the meantime, simmer together barbecue sauce, butter, apple juice, and cider. Once the chicken is smoked, brushed this all over the bird, rest, and serve! 

Get the recipe here

BBQ Smoked Chicken

4. Smoked Lemon Chicken  

If you are looking for a more lightly flavored smoked chicken, then you will be served far better with this recipe right here! Rub the chicken with lemon and salt before stuffing the cavity with a mix of breadcrumbs, tarragon, garlic, pepper, and a whole lemon. Then, refrigerate for a while before smoking! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Lemon Chicken

5. Smoked Lemon Rosemary Chicken 

Here is another recipe for when you are craving a smoked chicken with more delicate flavors! Brush the chicken with lemon juice and zest, vinegar, rosemary, garlic powder, and paprika. Then, stuff with lemon and onion before smoking until tender and delicious! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Lemon Rosemary Chicken

6. Smoked Herbed Chicken 

Herb lovers are going to go crazy for this delicious, aromatic smoked chicken! Start by mixing butter, rosemary, thyme, and parsley and spreading this under the skin of the bird. Then, sprinkle a herb rub all over the chicken. Pop into the smoker and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160F! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Herbed Chicken

7. Smoked Beer Can Chicken 

Want to make the juiciest chicken ever? Well, this beer can recipe can help you out! Coat the chicken in a mix of turmeric, coriander, cumin, paprika, oregano, and other seasonings. Then, place on top of an open beer can. Once the chicken is secure, place in the smoker and cook, making sure to baste with butter! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Beer Can Chicken

8. Smoked Lemon Pepper Chicken 

This recipe is perfect for anyone who is looking for a bit of zing with their smoked chicken! Brush the chicken with a mix of melted butter, lemon juice, lemon pepper seasoning, parsley, garlic, and salt and pepper. Then, sprinkle on even more lemon seasoning over everything and smoke to perfection!  

Get the recipe here

Smoked Lemon Pepper Chicken

9. Spatchcock Smoked Chicken 

The best way to smoke your chicken evenly is to butterfly it first so that it can lie completely flat in the smoker. This recipe shows you just how to do this. Then, sprinkle with barbecue rub, place in the smoker and smoke until cooked all the way through! 

Get the recipe here

Spatchcock Smoked Chicken

10. Honey Mustard Smoked Chicken 

Yes, if you love honey mustard, you will be pleased to know that you can flavor your smoked chicken with this classic combo! Coat the chicken breasts with a mix of honey, mustard, and oil. Then, place in a dish and top with rosemary sprigs and kalamata olives. Place in the smoker and then cook until done! 

Get the recipe here

Honey Mustard Smoked Chicken

11. Smoked Cajun Chicken 

Take the flavor of your smoked chicken to the next level with absolutely no fuss at all with this recipe! Sprinkle cajun seasoning all over the chicken, insert the thermometer into the leg, and then smoke with applewood until tender! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Cajun Chicken

12. Smoked Mexican Chicken 

If you prefer Mexican flavors instead, then this is the recipe for you! Rub the paste made of lime juice, garlic paste, oil, chili powder, honey, paprika, cumin, and cinnamon. Then, place in the smoker and smoke until cooked all the way through! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Mexican Chicken

13. Buffalo Smoked Chicken Drumsticks 

Elevate your buffalo wings with this recipe for buffalo smoked drumsticks! Brush the drumsticks with melted butter and then coat with a mix of ancho chili powder, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, and then smoke. Once done, crisp up the drumsticks before tossing in buffalo wing sauce! 

Get the recipe here

Buffalo Smoked Chicken Drumsticks

14. Smoked Honey Buffalo Chicken  

If you love playing around with flavor combos then this is a recipe that you have to try out for yourself! Coat the chicken in BBQ rub and marinate for a while before placing in the smoker. As this is happening, simmer together butter, honey, and buffalo sauce. Then, use this to glaze the chicken just before it is done. Smoke some more, rest, and serve! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Honey Buffalo Chicken

15. Smoked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

If you are tired of eating wings the same way over and over again, this recipe may be the one to save you! Coat the wings in Texas style rub, marinate, and smoke. In the meantime, whisk shaved parmesan into melted butter along with minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Toss the smoked wings in this and squeeze lemon juice over them before serving!  

Get the recipe here

Smoked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

16. Smoked Teriyaki Chicken Legs

This sweet and savory smoked chicken leg recipe is just too good! Start by marinating the chicken in a homemade teriyaki sauce. Then, place in the smoker and cook for a while - turn up the heat towards the end of the cook to finish off the legs! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Teriyaki Chicken Legs

17. Smoked Curry Chicken Thighs 

Yes, you can infuse your smoked chicken with curry flavor too - this recipe shows you how to do it perfectly! Marinate the chicken in a mix of soy sauce, honey, curry powder, curry paste, ginger, and garlic. Then, place in the smoker and cook until done! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Curry Chicken Thighs

18. Wok Smoked Chinese Chicken 

If you don't have a smoker but do have a wok, you can still turn out the most beautifully smoked chicken! Toast sichuan pepper, star anise, sesame seeds, and fennel before grinding and rubbing all over the chicken. Stuff the chicken with ginger and scallion and marinate. First steam the chicken in the wok, brush with seasoning sauces, and then smoke in the wok with tea leaves, brown sugar, and rice!   

Get the recipe here

Wok Smoked Chinese Chicken

19. Smoked Chicken with Alabama White Sauce

This recipe is great for when you want to do something a little different with your smoked chicken but don't want to go overboard! Here, you season the chicken with your favorite dry rub and then smoke. In the meantime, whisk together mayo, vinegar, horseradish, brown sugar, lemon juice, mustard and spices. Glaze the chicken with the sauce or serve as a dip!

Get the recipe here

Smoked Chicken with Alabama White Sauce

20. Bourbon Smoked Chicken 

The bourbon adds the most complex and yummiest flavor to your chicken! Coat the chicken with dry rub and then smoke for a while. In the meantime, simmer together bourbon, ketchup, apple jelly and other ingredients to make up the sauce. Mix this with apple juice and BBQ rub and mop the chicken with this. Smoke until done and serve with extra sauce!

Get the recipe here

Bourbon Smoked Chicken

21. Smoked Ginger Chicken with Spices 

The spicy flavors with this chicken are just incredible - perfect for when you want something warming or cozy! Simmer together water, lime juice and zest, and seasoning and then blend to form a paste. Coat the chicken with this paste and marinate. Then, place soaked spices on top of the charcoal and smoke the chicken in this! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Ginger Chicken with Spices

22. Smoked Maple Barbecue Chicken 

If you would like a sweeter take on your chicken, then give this recipe a whirl! First, brine the chicken and then brush with maple syrup. Then, drizzle in the BBQ rub of your choice and place the chicken in the smoke. Cook until done, rest, and serve! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Maple Barbecue Chicken

23. Maple Brown Sugar Smoked Chicken 

This recipe really does taste like fall! Whisk together brown sugar, maple syrup, sriracha, garlic, and seasonings and brush some of this all over the chicken. Place in the smoker and cook until it is tender. Make sure to brush with the glaze as this chicken smokes! 

Get the recipe here

Maple Brown Sugar Smoked Chicken

24. Orange Oregano Smoked Chicken 

In this recipe, the chicken is smoked on maple planks, lending an even more gorgeous flavor to the meat! Mix together orange zest, fresh oregano, sea salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and oil and coat the chicken in this. Then, place the chicken on the plank and smoke to perfection! 

Get the recipe here

Orange Oregano Smoked Chicken

25. Smoked Spicy Peach Glazed Chicken Thighs 

These chicken thighs are the perfect balance between sweet, smoky, and spicy! Coat the chicken in oil and rub, marinate, and then smoke. In the meantime, simmer together butter, peach preserves, honey, and habanero hot sauce. Glaze the thighs and smoke for a bit longer before taking off the heat and glazing again! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Spicy Peach Glazed Chicken Thighs

26. Middle Eastern Smoked Chicken 

This is another recipe that is just perfect for anyone looking for chicken infused with lots of spices! Brush the chicken with oil and then pat with a mix of ground cumin, coriander, garlic, paprika, turmeric, sumac, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and allspice. Then place in the smoker and cook! 

Get the recipe here

Middle Eastern Smoked Chicken

27. Smoked Italian Chicken 

If you prefer subtler flavors, then this recipe may be more up your alley! Coat the chicken in olive oil and then sprinkle with a mix of Italian seasoning, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic salt, and red pepper flakes. Then smoke until done, rest, and serve! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Italian Chicken

28. Smoked Harissa Chicken  

The flavor with this chicken is sure to drive you wild - there is just so much going on here but all the ingredients work together beautifully! Mix together harissa, lime juice, garlic powder, cumin, cinnamon, and seasonings. Coat the chicken in this and then smoke, making sure to brush more on as the chicken cooks! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Harissa Chicken

29. Smoked Adobo Chicken 

If you love chicken adobo, here is how to enjoy those flavors with your smoked chicken too! Marinate the chicken in soy sauce, vinegar, oil, garlic, ginger, and basil. Then, place on the smoker and cook. Next, place the chicken in the thickened marinade and grill on high heat until done! 

Get the recipe here

Smoked Adobo Chicken

30. Smoked Jerk Chicken 

Here is another classic dish that can make your smoked chicken taste so good! For this recipe, start by blending aromatics, spices, chiles, and blueberries. Then, pour in oil, citrus juice, and syrup and blend some more. Marinate the chicken in this and then smoke to perfection!

Get the recipe here

Smoked Jerk Chicken

Well, there you go - the many ways that you can smoke chicken! Everyone can find their perfect recipe in this list! There is something for beginners, pros, those with simple tastes, and those who have more adventurous taste buds. So, go ahead and give these recipes a try! 

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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