Applewood Smoked Chicken Salad
Yield 8
Prep time
5 MinCook time
3 HourInactive time
4 HourTotal time
7 H & 5 MApplewood Smoked Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 - 5 to 6 lb Springer Mountain Farms Whole Chicken (giblets removed)
- Chicken Brine
- 6 potato sandwich rolls
- Olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- ½ sweet onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup shelled and chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 cup mayonnaise
Chicken Brine
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup kosher salt
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
- 1 lemon, quartered
Instructions
- Make the brine for the chicken by mixing all of the brine ingredients until the salt and sugar have dissolved.
- Brine the chicken for 4-12 hours.
- Remove from brine, rinse and pat dry.
- Set up smoker/grill for low and slow cooking and have the apple wood ready to add just before placing the chicken on the smoker/grill.
- Rub the olive oil all over the chicken and season with salt and pepper.
- Put the chicken on the top rack on a vertical chicken roaster or set it up like a tripod sitting on the 2 legs and tail end of the chicken.
- Cook for about 3 hours or until the breast meat reaches 165°F and the thickest part of the thigh reads about 185°F.
- Remove from the cooker and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes.
- Shred the chicken and cool.
- Once cool, mix with mayonnaise, onion, cranberries, walnuts and chili powder; add salt and pepper to taste.