1st time smoking chicken

  The first question is, do you want a crisp skin? If so smoke at higher temps or finish on a hot grill. If it doesn't matter you are on the right track. For chicken I use a lighter wood such as apple or cherry. Depends on how strong a smoke flavor you like. You may have to smoke many chickens to see what you like best!  But there is no wrong answer. Happy smoking!

  Mike

Chicken takes smoke pretty easily so a milder wood may be best to start off with. I like to smoke chicken with corn cob - gives it a nice mild sweet smoke. Let us know how you make out 

I prefer to not use a water pan, in fact mine is filled with sand. I smoke mine at 325* and times vary depending on the bird!

Fruit woods are perfect for poultry.  The only reason to use a higher or lower temp is to change how long it is exposed to smoke because you can always crisp the skin up in a hot oven during the last part of cooking if that's your thing.  Let me suggest something rather different to you for the cooking method.  Don't brine, rub, inject, or marinade prior to cooking; just get a thawed bird and throw it on the smoker at a lower temp around 220.  After about 2 and 1/2 hours place it in an appropriately sized roasting pan uncovered with the following sauce till it reaches 165 deep in the breast.  Once it has cooled enough to carve up return the meat to the pan with the sauce, toss well, and reheat as necessary for serving.

3/4 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice

1/4 onion, finely chopped

1 and 1/2 tsp. worcestershire sauce

1 and 1/2 tsp. prepared mustard

1 and 1/2 tsp. your favorite poultry dry rub

Heat to simmer on stovetop before adding to roasting pan with chicken.

looks like it has been answered but I prefer apple.

I smoke a chicken about every two weeks.  First I brine mine for 3 days.  Take it out and dry it in the fridge for another day.  I cook my bird at 215 degrees and I use about 3 chunks of applewood with lumpcoal.  Take about 4-6 hours.  I like a longer smoke.