Smoked Lemon Pepper Chicken

Step 1

Heat pellet grill or smoker to 400 F.

Step 2

Remove neck and gizzards from inside of chicken and pat chicken dry with a paper towel.

Step 3

In a bowl, add butter, juice from 1/2 of the lemon, salt and black pepper and blend together.

Step 4

Place chicken in a pan that can go on the smoker.

Step 5

Lift up the skin on the chicken breast and pack with butter mixture and then rub the rest of the butter mixture all over the chicken.

Step 6

Take the slices of lemon and place either in the internal cavity or on the skin, if placing on the skin the skin will not get as crisp in those areas. I prefer crispy skin so I place the lemon in the inside of the chicken so it steams lemon flavors into the meat.

Step 7

Sprinkle the tops of chicken with paprika and cayenne pepper.

Step 8

Cook for roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes or until internal temperature at the thickest part reaches 165 F.

Step 9

The last 20 minutes of cooking, spoon or baste on the juices and melted butter over the top of the chicken.

Step 10

Remove from grill, cover and let rest from about 10 minutes so juices can recirculate.

Step 11

Enjoy!