Traeger Chile Lime Chicken - Easy Wood-Fired Grill Recipe (2025)

FAQs

How long does it take to cook chicken on a wood pellet grill? ›

Smoke your chicken breast at 225°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This should take about 1 hour. Optional: If you prefer a slight crust on your chicken breast, smoke your chicken at 225°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 115°F.

Place the chicken directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and smoke until the internal temperature reaches 160℉, 2 1/2-3 hours.

Roast over indirect medium heat (350 to 450º F) for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Chicken is done when the internal temperature of the breast reads 165º F with an instant-read thermometer. A 4- to 5-pound chicken will take no more than an hour and fifteen minutes of grilling time.

When you're ready to cook, preheat your grill to 350 degrees F with two-zone heat. Grill over indirect heat. Place the seasoned chicken on the indirect side of the grill and close the lid. Cook until the internal temperature reads 155 degrees F with an instant read thermometer.

When it comes to smoking a whole chicken, there are a few things to keep in mind. To get the best smoke flavor you'll want to set your grill between 180-225℉. For extra wood-fired flavor, turn use the Super Smoke setting on your grill. Just remember, as the temperature of the grill increases, you get less smoke.

Drizzle the chicken with olive oil then season well with Sweet Rub. Grill. Place the seasoned chicken on the grates of the pellet grill, and cook for 15 minutes. Flip, and continue cooking until the temperature reaches 150 degrees F.

Cook Time for Smoking Whole Chicken

It takes approximately 30-40 minutes per pound at 350°F, or 1 hour per pound at 250°F. for a whole smoked chicken to cook to an internal temperature of 160-163°F.

Smoked chicken halves are one of the most flavorful ways to prepare chicken. Cutting the chicken in half allows the meat to cook quicker and more evenly.

In addition to chicken breast, meaty pieces include drumsticks and thighs. Doneness should be determined with an instant-read thermometer 165°F for breast meat and at least 175° for thighs and drumsticks. Bake chicken at 375°F for 45 to 50 minutes.

• Low Heat (250° to 350°F):

When you're at temp, put cooking oil on a folded paper towel. Grab the oiled paper towel with long-handled tongs and oil the grate thoroughly. After about 9 minutes on the grill, insert the digital meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken to check the internal temperature.

How to tell if chicken is done without a thermometer on the grill? ›

Poke the Meat

This method applies to chicken specifically. For properly cooked chicken, if you cut into it and the juices run clear, then the chicken is fully cooked. If the juices are red or have a pinkish color, your chicken may need to be cooked a bit longer.

Preheat your pellet grill to 400 °F. Cook boneless thighs for 15-20 minutes and bone-in thighs for 35 minutes. Heat until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F. Allow the chicken thighs to rest for 5 minutes.

Brine Before Grilling to Prevent Dry, Rubbery Chicken

Brining is simply submerging the chicken in a salt-water solution before grilling.

Using an approximately 4lb whole chicken (fully thawed and cavity empty) and smoking at 225 degrees F. it will take approximately 3.5 – 4.5 hours to smoked a whole chicken. That being said the best way to track when your bird is done is to keep track of the internal temp.

Cook your chicken at 225–250°F (107–121°C) for an hour to imbue the meat with smoky goodness. The slow smoking not only gives us flavor, but it also cooks the meat quite gently for that first hour. Once that's done, though, it's time to crank up the heat.