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Spicy Cajun Cherry Smoked Chicken Halves

Spicy Cajun Cherry Smoked Chicken Halves

By Miguel Raya

Need a little spice in your life? These cherry wood smoked chicken halves from Bear Mountain ambassador Miguel Raya of Cooking with Fire are your next must try! This smoky, flavor-packed dish marries the bold heat of Cajun spices with the delicate sweetness of cherry wood, yielding irresistibly tender chicken with a crisp, caramelized skin! A long, cool brine ensures every bite is juicy and seasoned to the bone, while patient smoking brings a deep, complex character to the meat that’s perfect for backyard feasts or special gatherings. 

Prep

8-12 hours

Cook time

1-2 hours

Serves

6-8

Steps

  1. Combine all ingredients for your brine into a pot and bring to a boil for at least 10 minutes. Once everything is combined, cool it down with a scoop of ice cubes.
  2. Use a strong pair of kitchen shears to remove the backbone of the whole chicken and cut them in half. 
  3. Place your chicken halves into a large food safe container with a lid and pour over the cooled brine. Place your container into the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight. 
  4. When you’re ready to cook the chickens, fire up your smoker to 300°F with Bear Mountain BBQ Cherry pellets.
  5. Remove the chickens from the brine, pat them dry, and season with your favorite seasoning. Place them on the grill and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. 
  6. Once they’ve reached the correct internal temperature, finish the chicken halves off by painting on the Cajun hot honey glaze!

Ingredients:

For the brine:

  • ½ cup kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar 
  • Cajun seasoning
  • 3 tbsp hot sauce (Crystal, Louisiana, or Tabasco)
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 6 cloves of garlic - whole
  • 1 yellow onion - quartered
  • 1 tbsp whole black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 lemons – juiced with halves 

For the Cajun hot honey glaze:

  • ½ cup honey
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

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Spicy Cajun Cherry Smoked Chicken Halves

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