Smoking Chicken on a Paleo Diet

Smoking chicken on a Paleo diet

Paleo dieters can add variety to their meals by smoking chicken. It’s easy to prepare and will taste delicious!

Meat is an important part of a healthy diet. However, it should be consumed in moderation on a Paleo diet. It is high in protein and typically exceeds the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). This can lead to health problems such as cancer and diabetes.

What are the best techniques?

Smoked chicken is delicious and a great way to add extra flavor to Paleo meals. However, it can be tricky to know how much smoke and heat your chicken needs.

Thankfully, there are a few simple techniques that can help you achieve the best results. First, you can butterfly (aka spatchcock) your chicken to ensure the meat cooks evenly.

Once you have your chicken on the smoker, use low and slow heat to give it plenty of time for the smoke to penetrate the meat. Then, check the temperature of your chicken every 20-30 minutes with an instant read thermometer.

Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, it’s fully cooked. This temperature kills bacteria, making it safe to eat.

How can I add variety to my Paleo meal plan?

The Paleo diet is a healthy way to increase your intake of whole foods and decrease the amount of processed food you consume. It also encourages consuming more fruits, vegetables, healthy protein and healthy fats.

It can be hard to stick with a paleo meal plan, but if you plan ahead and prep meals in advance, it can make sticking to your plan much easier. With a few simple tips, you can plan and prepare wholesome, delicious meals in no time, so you can meet your nutrition goals.

Getting enough protein on a paleo diet is important for many reasons, such as maintaining muscle tissue and building strong bones. It’s also helpful for preventing hunger pangs and helping your body feel full for longer periods of time.

One easy way to add variety to your paleo diet is to smoke chicken. It’s easy to prepare, and it makes a great addition to any meal plan!

What can I serve with smoked chicken?

Smoked chicken is a great option to add to your Paleo diet menu, but it can also be made even more delicious with the right side dishes. The best part about choosing complementary sides for your meals is that they can make any dish even better.

A good side dish to serve with smoked chicken is mac and cheese, which has plenty of flavor to complement the richness of the meat. You can use any type of cheese you prefer, like cheddar or mozzarella.

Another popular side dish is barbecue potato salad, which combines boiled potatoes with onions and celery and mayonnaise or mustard for extra texture and flavor.

Grilled corn salad is another great choice, as it features the flavors of summer in a healthy and low-calorie salad that pairs well with smoked chicken. Simply combine grilled corn, avocados, red onion, cilantro, salt and pepper.

What can I not serve with smoked chicken?

Smoked chicken is a great way to add flavor and protein to your Paleo diet. But it’s important to remember that you’re not supposed to eat anything that can clog your arteries or muck up your digestive system.

For example, you should probably avoid sweetened condensed milk or any other product containing artificial flavors or colors (ask your server about the ingredients list). You should also steer clear of junk foods like cookies and candy bars.

The best way to determine whether a restaurant is Paleo-friendly is to ask about their cooking methods and the ingredients they use. Sous vide and braising are two of the more popular techniques that most restaurants employ.

The only caveat is that you should be aware of the kitchen’s overall food safety standards, as these can be a bit tricky to implement when it comes to your diet. Nevertheless, you should still be able to enjoy the latest in kitchen technology while maintaining your healthy eating goals.

Paleo Smoked Chicken Recipe

Creating a Paleo-friendly smoked chicken involves using a rub and sauce that adhere to Paleo dietary principles. Here’s a basic recipe for Paleo smoked chicken:

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds), preferably organic or free-range
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Rub

  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary

For the Paleo-Friendly BBQ Sauce

  • 1 cup tomato sauce (look for a version without added sugars or make your own)
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken

    • Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub the entire chicken with olive oil and season generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Prepare the Rub

    • In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the rub. Coat the entire chicken, including the cavity, with the rub. If time allows, let the chicken sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate.
  3. Preheat the Smoker

    • Preheat your smoker to 225-250°F (107-121°C). Use hardwood chunks or chips for smoking. Fruitwoods like apple or cherry work well with chicken.
  4. Smoke the Chicken

    • Place the seasoned chicken on the smoker grates, breast side up. Smoke the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), which typically takes about 2.5 to 3 hours for a whole chicken.
  5. Make the BBQ Sauce

    • While the chicken is smoking, prepare the Paleo-friendly BBQ sauce. In a saucepan, combine all the sauce ingredients and simmer over low heat for about 15-20 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Baste with Sauce

    • During the last hour of smoking, start basting the chicken with the Paleo-friendly BBQ sauce every 20-30 minutes to create a flavorful glaze.
  7. Rest and Serve

    • Once the chicken reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for about 15 minutes before carving. Slice and serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side.

This Paleo smoked chicken recipe provides a flavorful and tender result without compromising your dietary preferences. Feel free to adjust the rub and sauce ingredients to suit your taste, and enjoy the smoky goodness of a well-prepared smoked chicken.

Read more great BBQ articles at Bob’s BBQ Secrets

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