Smoky Chicken And Cider Recipes

SMOKED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Combine water, kosher salt, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a large bowl. Stir until salt and brown sugar are dissolved. Place chicken breasts into brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat an electric smoker according to manufacturer's directions to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C) using maple wood chips.
• Remove chicken breasts from brine and rinse under cold water. Pat dry. Combine salt, black pepper, paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Sprinkle dry rub all over chicken breasts and place skin-side up on a grill rack in the preheated smoker. Place a drip pan underneath.
• Smoke chicken breasts in the preheated smoker until chicken is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 4 hours, adding maple wood chips as necessary to keep the smoke continuous. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

SMOKY CHICKEN MARINADE

Steps:

• Stir the vinegar, brown sugar, liquid smoke, salt, and pepper together in a bowl until the sugar is dissolved.

SMOKED CHICKEN BBQ RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the smoker to 250°.
• Rub: Combine all of the ingredients and set aside.
• Spritzer: Add the apple juice, cider, and water to a spray bottle and shake. Set aside.
• Sauce: In a small saucepot add in the BBQ sauce, butter and 1 cup of the spitzer mix. Keep warm.
• Rub the olive oil all over both sides of the chicken creating a thin layer.
• Next, generously season the chicken on both sides with the rub. There will be 2-3 tablespoons leftover.
• Add the chicken to the smoker and cook for 1 hour. Spray the chicken with 4-5 sprays each of the spritzer and do so after that every 20-25 minutes or until it reaches an internal leg temperature of 150° to 155°.
• Sauce the chicken using a brush and smoke until it reaches an internal leg temperature of 165°.
• Remove from the smoker and let rest for 20-30 minutes before serving.
• Serve alongside BBQ sauce.

SMOKY CHICKEN AND CIDER

Steps:

• Heat a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the bacon to the hot pan, brown it and then remove with a slotted spoon.
• Season the chicken pieces liberally with salt and pepper, then brown in 2 batches on both sides, and remove to plate. Add the onions, carrots, thyme, and bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan and sweat the vegetables 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the flour and stir 1 to 2 minutes, then add the cider, syrup, vinegar, and 1 cup stock, stirring between each addition. Slide in the potatoes, and apples, and sprinkle the bacon over the top. Nest the chicken into the pan and add more stock until the liquids reach the edge, but do not cover the chicken. Cover the pan, reduce the heat, and cook the chicken through, 15 minutes or so. Cool completely, and store for a make-ahead meal.
• Reheat in an oven preheated to 325 degrees F, or on the stovetop over medium heat, covered until warmed through. Once hot, serve immediately. Remove the cooked chicken to a serving platter or shallow bowls, stir to thicken and combine the sauce and vegetables, and spoon over and around the chicken.