You do not need a chicken throne to smoke amazing spatchcocked chicken on the Traeger pellet grill. When you spatchcock the chicken it reduces the smoking time to about 3 hours for a four pound chicken. Add any seasoning you wish for a juicy tasty whole chicken on the Traeger smoker.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.
This method will also work for a turkey, but it is much easier to spatchcock a chicken.
Start by turning the chicken over so the backbone is facing up. Use a heavy duty kitchen shears, or poultry shears to cut down alongside the backbone on both sides until it is cut completely through from end to end. You will have to cut through the ribs so it is not easy. If you are spatchcocking a turkey you may need to use a large knife or meat cleaver, but a kitchen shears is usually enough for a chicken.
Turn the chicken over (breast side up) and press down with the heel of your hand until it flattens. You may hear a crack when the breast bone breaks. Then season both sides as desired.
How Long do you Smoke a Spatchcocked Chicken
Preheat the Traeger to 225 degrees F. Place the spatchcocked chicken directly on the grate. Insert a probe thermometer into the breast.
Smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Approximately 3 hours.
1 Tablespoon Kinder's Lemon Pepper (or rub of your choice)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
DIRECTION
Start by turning the chicken over so the backbone is facing up. Use a heavy duty kitchen shears, or poultry shears to cut down alongside the backbone on both sides until it is cut completely through from end to end. You will have to cut through the ribs so it is not easy.<br>Turn the chicken over (breast side up) and press down with the heel of your hand until it flattens. You may hear a crack when the breast bone breaks. Then season both sides as desired.<br>Preheat the Traeger to 225 degrees F. Place the spatchcocked chicken directly on the grate. Insert a probe thermometer into the breast.<br>Smoke until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Approximately 3 hours.
There is some much fun to be had right at home in the summer. Why spend a bundle travelling in the summertime? Have you checked out all of the tourist attractions in your hometown? If not, here are some summer staycation ideas have fun right at home.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission at no additional cost to you.
Try a New Restaurant with Outdoor Seating
One thing I always try to do on vacation is dine outdoors. Especially when travelling somewhere tropical in the winter. Why not find a hometown restaurant with beautiful outdoor dining in the Summertime? This is a perfect summer staycation experience.
Photo by Datingscout on Unsplash
Try Grilling Something New
Nothing says summer more than outdoor cooking. If you do not have a grill already, I’d suggest a Traeger Grill! If you are interested in all of the wonderful things you can make on a Traeger grill, check out this post on how to use a Traeger.
I make take it for granted living in Michigan, there are plenty of Great Lake beaches as well as many other smaller lakes to enjoy nearby. If you live near any body of water, make a day trip and enjoy! If not, try a local pool.
Visit an Amusement Park or Water Park
No need to book a vacation to visit a local water park or amusement park. Sure, it’s fun to travel and try something new once in a while, but why not enjoy what you have near home? I have both a water park and an amusement park near my home. A quick day trip for the family. If you do, give it a try.
Make a Fun Summer Dessert
Flower pot cupcakes. Just put a chocolate cupcake covered with chocolate frosting and Oreo crumbs in a 2.5 inch terracotta pot. Top with berries, Oreo filling and mint leaves.
It’s fun to go to a campground, but it can also be fun to “camp” at home. Give it a try!
Make Dinner Over a Fire
If your hometown allows bonfires, you can make dinner or at least some s’mores over the fire. If you cant have a regular firepit, try a patio firepit.
Try Gardening
Tomatillo plant in a pot
You don’t need a huge space for a vegetable garden. You can plant many different vegetables in pots. Just add a few flowers and enjoy the beauty all summer. The pictured pot above contains two tomatillo plants, two sweet potato vines and a variety of marigolds.
Take a Lesson
Don’t just ship your kids off to a bunch of camps this summer. You can learn plant of new things by taking lessons. First of all everyone should learn to swim. Start with that lesson if any of your family members need it. Then try something else. Try pottery, golf, pickleball, knitting or anything else you may want to learn.
Go to a Museum
This is a popular vacation activity. Have you been to every museum within 50 miles (~1 hour) of your home? Even if you have, museums are constantly adding new exhibits. Give it a try!
Run!
Sign up for a race or just enjoy a run near your home. Either way running can be lots of fun.
Go to a Farmer’s Market
Check out your local farmer’s market. Try something new every week. You will be surprised how many different fruits and vegetables you will find.
Pick your own Produce
Photo by Joshua Woroniecki on Unsplash
Many local farms offer U-pick fruits and vegetables. Summertime in Michigan is a perfect place to pick strawberries, blueberries, cherries and peaches. If you pick blueberries, try this amazing Peach blueberry pie recipe.
Family Pizza Night
This is great fun! Make or buy some pizza dough. Provide a selection of toppings and give each person a piece of parchment paper to assemble their own pizza.
Have you ever noticed that many vacation destinations have candy stores. You will find them in hotel lobbies and popular tourist shopping districts. Why not shop one in your hometown? Candy is a nice staycation treat!
Go to a Zoo or Aquarium
Have you been to every zoo or aquarium near home? Even if you have give it another try, they always have something new to see.
Go out for Ice Cream
Ice cream is not just for vacations. Sure you can scoop some in a bowl at home, but once in a while it’s nice to go out for a cone. Ice Cream is a staycation must!
Try a New Sport
Pickle ball is a great new sport to learn this summer. Have you driven by that new pickle ball court at your local park, thinking that looks fun? Pick up a couple paddles and some balls and find out!
Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash
Try a New Activity
An escape room
A trampoline park
Arcade
Bowling
Ropes Course
Zip line
Rock climbing
Skating
indoor skydiving
Walk a New Trail
Go for a Bike Ride
Photo by Yiwen on Unsplash
Watch a Movie
Of course a drive in movie would be the best summer staycation expirience, but if you don’t have drive in nearby you can still enjoy a good flick at home. If you choose to stay home make it fun with a new popcorn maker or movie theater candy! For even more fun get a projector and project your movie on a large white sheet outside.
Join a Summer Reading Program at you Local Library
Reading is a great family activity for summertime. It’s great to keep the kids reading all summer, and a perfect time to join a reading program at your local library.
Try a New Park
Visit a park near home that you have never been to before. You never know what you might find.
Do an Outdoor Craft
Take your creativity outside. Anything from sidewalk chalk to painting rocks can be fun.
Have a Spa day or get a Pedicure
Photo by Konstantin Shmatov on Unsplash
Fly a Kite
If all else fails, go fly a kite!
Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualified purchases.
