Spicy Chicken Sliders with a Whole Smoked Chicken

buttermilk

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + vinegar

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

hot sauce

🥗Healthier: sriracha

💰Cheaper: chili paste

Sriracha offers a similar heat with fewer additives.

slider buns

🥗Healthier: whole wheat buns

💰Cheaper: regular burger buns

Whole wheat adds fiber, while regular buns are often less expensive.

mayonnaise

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt is lower in calories and adds creaminess.

Take 2 whole chickens out of the package and clean them up by trimming excess fat and removing giblets.

Dry the skin of the chickens with paper towels.

Spray the outside of the chickens with cooking spray to help the seasoning stick.

Apply hot barbecue rub generously on the outside of the chickens, including the cavity.

Let the chickens sit for about 30 minutes to absorb the seasoning.

Preheat the Traeger pellet grill to 350°F using pecan pellets for flavor.

Place the chickens on the grill, closing the lid to allow them to cook for about 30 minutes.

Check the chickens after 30 minutes for color and juices, ensuring they are rendering.

Monitor the internal temperature of the chickens, aiming for 165°F.

After about 45 minutes, check the chickens again and spray with cooking spray to keep the skin moist.

Continue cooking for about 30 more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 166°F.

Remove the chickens from the grill and let them rest for about 20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.

Pull the chickens apart using hands or a knife, separating the meat from the bones.

Mix the pulled chicken with white barbecue sauce, adding cayenne pepper, white pepper, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes for extra spice.

Assemble sliders using the pulled chicken, topped with pickles and red onion.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens