Simple and Delicious Traeger BBQ Chicken Recipe
This recipe from Traeger Grills offers a flavorful and easy way to prepare BBQ half chickens using a Traeger Wood Pellet Grill. The process involves splitting a fresh young chicken, seasoning it with Traeger Chicken Rub, grilling, and finishing with Traeger Apricot BBQ Sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 fresh young chicken (3 to 3.5 lbs)
- Traeger Chicken Rub (to taste)
- Traeger Apricot BBQ Sauce (to taste)
Steps:
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Preheat the Grill:
- Set the Traeger temperature to 375°F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.
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Prepare the Chicken:
- Place the chicken breast-side down on a cutting board.
- Remove the backbone by cutting along both sides.
- Splay the chicken open, remove the breastbone, and split the chicken in half.
- Tuck the wings under each half and season with Traeger Chicken Rub on both sides.
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Grill the Chicken:
- Place the chicken halves skin-side up on the grill grates.
- Insert a probe into the thickest part of a chicken breast.
- Close the lid and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (about 60-90 minutes).
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Apply the Sauce:
- Brush Traeger Apricot BBQ Sauce all over the chicken skin.
- Close the lid and cook for an additional 10 minutes to set the sauce.
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Serve:
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes:
- This recipe is designed to capture the wood-fired flavor typical of Traeger grills.
- The use of apple wood pellets is recommended for a mild, sweet smoke flavor.
Thought-Provoking Insights:
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Wood Pellet Flavor Variations:
- How might different wood pellets, like hickory or cherry, affect the flavor profile of the chicken?
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Seasoning and Sauce Combinations:
- What other seasoning blends or BBQ sauces could be experimented with for unique flavors?
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Cooking Techniques:
- What are the advantages of grilling chicken halves versus whole chickens in terms of flavor and cooking efficiency?
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