Stampede Bourbon brine whole chicken

[ndfan6464]

Well it's been a while since I've been able to smoke something so I figured I'd do two whole chickens today to celebrate Veterans day.

Started off with a bourbon brine that has water, bourbon, Oranges, lemons, kosher salt, brown sugar, bay leaves and whole peppercorns. Brined for exactly 24hrs.

Then I stuff an herb butter mix under the skin. Stuffed the cavity with oranges, onion, garlic and thyme. Then added my rub

Set the smoker for 275 and now we wait..

 

[ndfan6464]

And here are the birds done and now resting.

Starting on the bourbon gravy and then time to stuff my face. Haha

 

[Mike]

That's some mighty good looking chicken @ndfan6464. I've done a lot of wings on my Rec Tec Bull but not a whole chicken yet. I want to just haven't made it yet... one of these days.

Though I did have a win over the weekend, picked up two turkey breasts.

 

[ndfan6464]

Thanks buddy... they tasted just as good as they looked too..haha..

They Made some killer chicken gravy tonight too

 

[cjrazus1]

Looks good. Well, I like chicken and I like bourbon better. Mind sharing your brine recipe/ratios?

Om

 

[cjrazus1]

Sorry either my phone or this app is acting up? disregard that graph portion of my last reply.
Glad your cook turned out well.

 

[ndfan6464]

Hahah not a problem...heres the brine. I use woodford Stock bourbon cause that's the bourbon I like to drink. So cant tell you how others will be.. iam sure other brands would be fine.. This is for 12-14 lbs of bird.. I brine it for NO MORE then 24hrs.

Good luck and if you use it let me know what you think...
8 quarts water
1 1/2 cups kosher salt
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup bourbon
2 oranges, cut into quarters
1 lemon, cut into quarters
1/3 cup whole peppercorns
10 whole cloves
2 dried bay leaves