Smoked Spatchcock Chicken with Cherry Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Step 1

Spatchcock the chicken. Place your chicken breast side down on a large cutting board. Using sharp kitchen shears, cut up both sides of the back bone, from tail to neck. Remove the backbone completely and turn the chicken over to the breast side. Carefully spread apart the back and press down gently on the breast until the bird lays nice and flat on your cutting board. Tuck the wing tips behind the back and adjust the legs until they are fairly symmetrical.

Step 2

Season the spatchcock chicken. Pat down your chicken with a paper towel and then drizzle with the olive oil. Rub all across the skin. Season your chicken all over with the sweet rub (even the back side!)

Step 3

Begin smoking. Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F for indirect cooking with a light wood smoke. Place your chicken on the smoker and cook for 4-5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F in both the breast and thigh meat.

Step 4

Sauce and finish smoking. Brush the chicken with the Cherry Chipotle BBQ Sauce (or sauce of your choice) and cook for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Step 5

Rest and serve. Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.