Tuscan Rosemary-Smoked Whole Chickens

Ingredients

• 4 servings pepper black freshly ground
• 2 teaspoons peppercorns black
• 4 servings canola oil 
• 4 pound chicken fat trimmed
• 8 large sprigs rosemary leaves fresh
• 4 cloves garlic smashed
• 0.3 cup honey 
• 4 cups ice cubes 
• 0.5 cup kosher salt 
• 2 cups chicken broth low-sodium
• 2 tablespoons sugar 

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce pan

Directions

1. Special equipment: Pecan wood chips and 8 sprigs fresh rosemary, soaked in water for 2 hours
2. For the brine, bring 6 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan.
3. Add the broth, salt, honey, sugar, peppercorns, rosemary and garlic, stirring to dissolve the salt.
4. Remove from the heat and add the ice cubes to cool quickly to room temperature.
5. Place the chicken in the bucket, breast-side down, cover and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
6. Remove the chicken from the brine and rinse well with cold water. Pat dry, place on a baking rack and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours. This will allow the skin to dry out which will produce a crisper skin while cooking.
7. Preheat your smoker to 275 degrees F and up to 325 degrees F if your smoker can do it.
8. Add the soaked wood chips and rosemary sprigs.
9. Brush the entire chicken with canola oil and sprinkle with pepper.
10. Put the chicken in the smoker and place a drip pan underneath. Smoke until the breast temperature reaches 160 degrees F and the thigh reaches 170 degrees F, depending on the size of the chicken, 1 1/2 to 3 hours.