Help with smoking whole chicken

[Ranchwife]

Hi! I've got a brined 5 lb whole chicken to smoke today in my MasterBuilt electric smoker. It is a breezy 75 degrees today. At what temperature and for how long do I need to smoke the bird? I'm seeing recipes that list 200-225 degrees for four hours for a max temperature of 165 degrees. But everything I've learned about cooking poultry says to cook it to 180 degrees. I don't understand the discrepancy in temperatures of the cooked bird and I do not want to eat partially cooked chicken. Can someone please help?

[barkonbutts]

Cook chicken at a minimum of 325 for skin that will not be rubbery... I like 350. Take to 170, 160 is okay , but most like chicken cooked a bit more. 170 deep in breast and thigh. rest 15-20 and you will be fine. I would guess around 2.5- 3 hours for a 5 pounder at 325-350. good luck!


If smoker will not get that high, well skin might be tough but meat will be okay!!

[Richtee]

Always can do an oven finish at the 350-ish for the last half hour... if the wattburner won't hit that temp.

[DDave]

What he said. ^^

But everything I've learned about cooking poultry says to cook it to 180 degrees.

A better understanding of food borne pathogens these days has contributed to different recommendations.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/...chart/ct_index

Which is really nice when it comes to pork -- especially pork chops. Now you don't have to cook them to the texture of roofing material to be considered "safe".

Dave