Best kind of wood for smoking chicken?

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dmger14

Newbie
Original poster
Jan 2, 2008
23
10
I only have some leftover hickory I used for deer and goose. I plan to smoke chicken quarters next and heard apple is best for poultry. Any ideas on what kind to get? I think I'll take my wife to watch Cloverfield tonight and stop by the BassPro to pick up some wood for smoking next weekend.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 
I use maple, but thats because I have a lot of it. Although, I do a lot of birds, little 4-5 pound chickens and 14 pound turkeys, Maple seems to work fine for me, not too strong and nice flavor.
 
My Brother has some cherry, I honestly have never tried it yet. He said I could come get it this winter. I just have to haul it out of the woods, split it up and dry it. I guess he'll get a pile of jerky for that deal. I am looking forward to try some different wood other than Maple, Oak, and Apple:-)
 
you won't be disappointed with the cherry,.......if i had a lot of it, instead of just the chips i get at lowes, i would smoke with it all the time........
 
Hickory for chicken is fine to me but, then everyone has their own taste preference.
If you went light on the hickory it would be fine. Apple is a good choice as well. However If I persaonally was to use a fruit wood for the bird, it would be cherry. Going with Dude on this one.
Cherry adds a light fruity smoke flavor. What it does the best IMHO is color the meat.
 
I have a pellet smoker and the pellets are about 60% flavor and 40% alder or oak, so take this for what its worth.

I like mesquite or pecan and I've mixed them.

People bag on mesquite, but I like it. Maybe it has to do more w/the smell from the smoker, I don't know...but that is a very strong possibility.

I've used cherry before, and I don't care for it. And I know that comes from the smell from the smoker. I'm not a big "sweets" fan. I haven't had cake for over 5 yrs, pie...no thank you! ........well, some pie I like
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.

Cherry does add a sweet taste to it.

What do you have to loose? Try it out, you won't be let down.
 
I'm with WD on the cherry. Here in NW Mo. I can get wild cherry and run a stick burner, which I fire with all most exclusively cherry and a little apple when I can find enough to fire with. Use cherry for everything as hickory upsets my stomach. My vote is cherry.
 
I like cherry and apple and maple for my chicken. I have used a mix of maple and hickory and that was pretty good too. I guess it all depends on your tastes. I have also noticed it also depends on how I season and marinade the chicken. I wish I could get some pecon or citrus wood up here. I have had sausage that my dad smoked with citrus wood and it was pretty good. Give them all a try and let us know what works for you.

Kookie
 
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