Smoked Chicken Breasts – this smoked chicken breast recipe is easy to follow with tons of tips and tricks as well as an optional brine and dry rub you can use! This is an incredibly easy (and delicious) recipe that you will come back to again and again! Don’t forget to try out the brine and
dry rub options – neither are required, but they are a fun way to bring your smoked chicken recipes to the next level (these smoked chicken thighs are also so good)! Serve with some Smoked Corn on the Cob,
Smoked Baked Beans and Smoked Asparagus (or other smoked vegetables) for a complete meal! Got leftovers – you have to try our Smoked Chicken Salad!! We tested this on a Traeger pellet
grill, but this will work on any pellet smoker. To prep your chicken you can start out with a smoked chicken brine (optional). Otherwise, simply pat dry with a clean paper towel and then season with either salt and pepper OR a
chicken rub OR other seasoning blend of your choice. We recommend smoking chicken at 225 degrees F. It takes approximately 1 hour to smoke boneless, skinless chicken breast (medium/large). Of course, there are lots of variables when using a smoker (humidity, wind, hot spots, etc.) so the time will vary. No, the smoke and heat circle the chicken (unlike grilled chicken breast which have the heat element directly under them) so you do not need to flip them when smoking. Easy Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe
Traeger Smoked Chicken Breast
Why This Recipe Works
What You Will Need
How to Prep Chicken Breast for Smoking
What Temperature Should I Smoke Chicken Breast
How Long Does it Take to Smoke Chicken Breasts at 225
Do You Flip
Chicken Breast When Smoking
How do You Smoke Chicken Breast Without Drying it Out
- Don’t overcook: keep an eye on that internal temperature and don’t let it go over 165 degrees F.
- Low and slow with a sear at the end: We smoke these for about an hour at a low temp (225 degrees F) and then end with a hot sear on both sides.
- Let rest: don’t skip this step! So important for those juices to redistribute!
How do You Know When Smoked Chicken is Fully Cooked
Chicken is fully cooked when it the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. at the thickest point. Use a meat thermometer or probe to keep track!
How to Smoke Bone-In Chicken Breasts
The recipe will be the same if you use bone-in chicken breasts BUT the time to cook will be quite a bit longer. Just watch the internal temperature of the chicken and let that be your guide.
What to Serve With
- Smoked Asparagus
- Smoked Potatoes
- Smoked Baked Beans
- Smoked Broccoli
- Smoked Green Beans
- Deviled Egg Potato Salad
How to Smoke Chicken Breasts
Pat chicken dry with a clean paper towel.
Season with either kosher salt + pepper OR you can use our smoked chicken dry rub.
Place on the smoker (at 225 degrees F.) for approximately 1 hour or until the internal temp reaches 160 degrees F.
You can sear your chicken breast on a gas grill if you want to really get a nice crispy outside.
Let rest 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!
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Description
Smoked Chicken Breasts – juicy and delicious smoked chicken breast recipe that is simple and easy!
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- kosher salt and ground black pepper OR smoked chicken dry rub
- optional brine: here is the smoked chicken brine which can be done beforehand if you want (not required).
- Turn smoker to 225 degrees F.
- Pat chicken dry with a clean paper towel.
- Season generously with kosher salt and ground black pepper OR smoked chicken dry rub.
- Place chicken breasts on smoker and close the lid.
- Let chicken cook for approximately 50-70 minutes or until chicken reaches 165 degrees F. at the thickest part. Remove chicken from smoker and let rest 5-10 minutes.
- Optional Searing: turn your gas grill on high heat when your chicken almost reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Once your chicken reaches 160 degrees F. remove it from the smoker and sear it for 1-2 minutes per side on your gas grill.
- Let rest 5-10 minutes before cutting. The internal temp of the chicken will continue to rise to 165 degrees F. as you sear and let it rest.
Notes
- Searing: the searing is totally optional, but that is how you can ensure the outside of your chicken isn’t rubbery and is, instead, crispy and delicious. If you don’t have a gas grill you can sear on your smoker by removing the chicken and turning your smoker up ALL the way. Then sear quickly.
- Cook Time: how long it ultimately takes to smoke meat has so many variables at play (like wind, air temp, humidity, hot spots, thickness of chicken, etc.). These took an hour for me, but I provided a range to account for these other variables impacting your cook time.
- Smoked Chicken Thighs: we also have a similar recipe for Smoked Chicken Thighs.
- Wood Chips: I recommend a mesquite, apple or or hickory for this recipe.
Keywords: smoked chicken breasts
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