Grilled Alabama-Style Hot Smoked Chicken with Tangy Barbecue Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-25 · Updated 2026-06-25

A whole chicken smoked to juicy perfection then finished on the grill with a tangy, slightly sweet barbecue glaze typical of Southern Alabama flavors. This Southern American-inspired barbecue recipe, ready in about 200 minutes, pairs whole chicken, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 3.5 lbs whole chicken
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 cups hickory wood chips
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder. Rub this seasoning evenly over the entire surface of the 3.5 lbs whole chicken.
2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 250°F and add 2 cups hickory wood chips. Place the chicken breast side up on the smoker grate and smoke for approximately 2.5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Step 3: While chicken smokes, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Brush the smoked chicken with 2 tbsp olive oil and glaze it generously with the prepared barbecue sauce. Grill over direct heat for 5-7 minutes per side, basting with more sauce, until the skin is caramelized and slightly charred.
5. Step 5: Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve with extra barbecue glaze on the side.