• 1 small whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces (2 legs, 2 tights, 2 wings, 2 breasts)
  • his basic Rub


  • 2/3 cup chili powder
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons onion powder
  • 4 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper


Heat a smoker to 250°F.
Wash the chicken pieces thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels. Apply the chicken rub all over the exposed areas of the chicken pieces. Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a deep aluminum baking pan, and place the pan in the smoker. Cook for 1 1/2 hours.
Remove the wings, wrap them in aluminum foil, and keep them warm in an oven on the lowest setting. Return the rest of the chicken to the smoker and cook for an additional 1 1/2 hours, or until the internal temperature of the white meat reaches 165°F and the dark meat reaches 180°F.
Remove the pan from the smoker. Allow the chicken to rest, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Then serve immediately.