Create juicy smoked whole chicken with crispy skin using the Ninja FlexFlame Roast/Bake setting with Woodfire Flavor.
Table of Contents
How to add smoke and crispy skin
One of the challenges with smoking whole chicken is that if you don’t cook it at the right temperature, the skin can be rubbery. But if you cook it at a high temperature, you don’t always get a good amount of smoke.
With the Ninja FlexFlame propane grill, you can finally get both smoky flavor and crispy skin. The FlexFlame allows you to add Woodfire smoke at any grill temperature.
So we can crank the heat up to 400F degrees with the roast/bake setting for perfectly crispy skin while also adding wood pellets.
Smoked Whole Chicken on the Ninja FlexFlame
Ingredients
- 6 lb whole chicken
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp Girls Can Grill Chicken Rub
Instructions
- Prep: Remove the chicken from the packaging. Remove the organs from the cavity. Pat dry. Tuck the wings under the bottom. Use butcher’s twine to tie the legs together.
- Season: In a small bowl, combine the butter, olive oil and seasoning. Brush onto the chicken.
- Heat Grill: Ignite the burners. Set the FlexFlame to Roast/Bake and the temperature to 400F. Add wood pellets and push the Woodfire Technology button.
- Smoke: Place the seasoned chicken on the center of the grill breast side up. Cook for 60-75 minutes or until the internal temperature in the thigh reaches 165F degrees.
- Rest: Remove from the grill and rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve: Remove the legs and wings. Then pull the meat near the thighs. Pull or slice the breast meat.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ingredients
- Whole Chicken: You can find these in the meat counter near the chicken breasts.
- Butter: This helps crisp the skin and add great flavor.
- Olive Oil: Oil is also used to promote crispiness.
- Girls Can Grill Chicken Rub: You can use any poultry seasoning, but my rub was designed especially for chicken recipes just like this. It contains kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, herbs and lemon.
Substitutions: You can sub the olive oil for vegetable oil or avocado oil.
See the full recipe card above for servings and a full list of ingredients.
How to smoke whole chicken on a Ninja Flex Flame
- STEP ONE: Remove the chicken from the packaging. Remove the organs from the cavity. Pat dry. Tuck the wings under the bottom. Use butcher’s twine to tie the legs together.
- STEP TWO: In a small bowl, combine the butter, oil and seasoning. Brush onto the chicken.
- STEP THREE: Ignite the burners. Set the FlexFlame to Roast/Bake and the temperature to 400F. Add wood pellets and push the Woodfire Technology button.
- STEP FOUR: Place chicken on the center of the grill grate, breast side up. Cook for 60-75 minutes or until the internal temperature in the thigh reaches 165F degrees.
PRO TIP: I use a Thermapen ONE digital meat thermometer to test the doneness. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh. Be sure not to touch the bone.
- STEP FIVE: Remove the chicken from the smoker and rest for 10 minutes.
How to serve Ninja smoked whole chicken
To carve a whole chicken, use a long sharp knife to remove the legs and wings. Then pull the meat near the thighs.
Place your knife to the side of the breast bone and slice straight down to remove the breast. You can then slice that into pieces.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also store in the freezer for up to six months.
Leftover chicken is great in salads and wraps. It’s also delicious in pasta dishes or chicken chili.
Get My New Ninja FlexFlame Cookbooks
- Ignited Q: Smoked + Grilled Recipes for the Ninja FlexFlame
- Quick + Easy Grilled Dinners (ebook)
- Smoked Backyard BBQ (ebook)
- Pizza Party on the Grill (ebook)
GCG Pro Pitmaster Tips
- Tie the legs together for prettier presentation
- Use both melted butter and oil for the best skin results
- Smoke to an internal temp of 165F
Frequently Asked Questions
Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. It’s cooked through when it registers at 165F degrees.
It will take a few minutes for the Ninja FlexFlame to preheat to your set temperature and for the pellets to ignite.
When you smoke a whole chicken on the Ninja FlexFlame using the roast/bake function at 400F degrees, it takes 60-75 minutes.
Do you have the Ninja Woodfire Grill? Then, try the below easy recipe.
Just got my Ninja flexflame. First cook is to be chicken drumsticks in a leg rack. About 14 legs. Using your recipes as a guide, I’m planning Roast/Bake at 375. Rub and duck fat. Probably pecan pellets. I expect around 30 minutes, and around 200F.
Any advice you would suggest?
Sounds like a perfect plan! I haven’t cooked legs yet, so just watch the temp and go by that over time.