Smoked Half Chicken on the Yoder Smoker

There’s something special about taking a whole bird, splitting it yourself, seasoning it just right, and turning it into a smoky backyard masterpiece. That’s exactly what we’re doing in this cook — smoked half chicken done simple, juicy, and downright delicious.

This isn't competition-style chicken. It’s real-deal, feed-the-family, pull-it-off-the-grill-and-go chicken — with bold BBQ by Biggs flavor and just enough smoke to make your neighbors peek over the fence.

🧂 RUBS & SEASONINGS USED

🔧 GEAR USED IN THIS COOK

🍗 Step-by-Step: How to Smoke Chicken Halves

1. Split the Chicken

Start by cutting out the backbone. Instead of spatchcocking, we’re going straight down the back and cutting through the breastplate to create two halves. Don’t be afraid to give it a good whack with your knife or shears — you’ll feel it give.

2. Trim and Dry

Clean up excess skin and fat, especially around the tail and cavity. Then pat the skin as dry as you can with paper towels. Dry skin = crispy skin.

3. Oil and Season

Rub the chicken with a little oil (or use butter, Pam, etc.) to help the rub stick and promote browning. Season first with BBQ by Biggs Chicken & Pork Rub, then layer on Honey BBQ Rub for sweetness and color.

4. Get Them on the Smoker

Set your pit to 275°F. Place the halves on a cooling rack for easy transfer and cleanup. Let them smoke until internal temp hits around 150°F in the thickest part of the thigh.

5. Glaze and Finish

Once the chicken hits around 155–158°F, brush on a light layer of SuckleBusters Honey BBQ Glaze. Raise the pit temp to 300°F and finish until the internal hits 165°F or the skin starts to caramelize and tighten up. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

📸 Final Result

Smoky. Juicy. Glazed. This is the kind of cook you can set up and let ride — and it’ll never disappoint.

📝 Get the Printable Recipe

🎥 Watch the Full Cook on YouTube

🔥 Like Backyard BBQ?

Subscribe to BBQ by Biggs on YouTube for more cooks like this — ribs, brisket, chicken, sides, cast iron desserts, and more. We keep it real with easy-to-follow steps and flavors that punch.

🎣 Also into fishing and the outdoors?
Check out TexasRodandReel.com — our sister site for fishing tips, outdoor cooking, and from-the-water recipes that pair perfectly with a peach cobbler.

💬 Let’s Hear From You

Ever smoked a half chicken? Got a favorite glaze or seasoning combo? Drop a comment below — we’d love to hear what you're cooking up in your backyard.

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