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Smoked Chicken Breast on a Pellet Grill
Serve up juicy, smoky chicken breast in less than 2 hours, courtesy of your pellet grill.
Grill-friendly weather alert! It’s the perfect week to make brisket
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Cooking for 2 people
Ingredients
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
-
1 tsp. cooking oil
-
1 tbsp. chicken seasoning, divided
Add extra flavor
Suggested rubs:
- Classic BBQ
- Herb & Citrus
- Southwest Chipotle
- Honey Mustard
- Maple Bourbon
Suggested Marinades:
- Citrus-Herb
- Asian-Inspired
- Garlic-Herb
- Honey Mustard
- Tandoori
Suggested Injections:
- Butter
- Chicken broth
- Apple juice
- Citrus
- Beer
1 Food Prep
Preparing smoked chicken breast:
- Remove chicken from packaging and pat dry to remove excess moisture to achieve the best results.
- All chicken breast to come to room temperature (never longer than 2 hours) before grilling to ensure even cooking and flavor.
Trimming chicken breast:
- If your chicken breasts have tenderloins attached, use a knife to remove them, and save them for another dish.
Seasoning your chicken breast:
- Apply a coat of oil and season each chicken breast on both sides with your favorite chicken seasoning.
2 Grill Prep
Recommended fuel:
- Kingsford® Hardwood Pellets
- For a smoky flavor: Use Hickory or Chef’s Blend Hickory Cherry Oak.
- For a sweeter flavor: Try Maple or Cherry.
Amount: 3 to 4 lb
Temp: 225°F
3 The Cook
Steps to grill your chicken breast:
- Place the thermometer probe into the thickest part of your chicken breast, and position it at the center of your pellet grill.
- Smoke your chicken breast at 225°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This should take about 1 hour.
- Optional: If you prefer a slight crust on your chicken breast, smoke your chicken at 225°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 115°F. Then, raise the temperature of your smoker to 375°F until your chicken breast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Once your chicken breast has reached an internal temperature of 165ºF, remove it from the grill and let your chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing to make sure you’ve locked in all of that juicy flavor.
Pairs Well With:
- Grilled vegetables
- Cornbread
- Potato salad
- Coleslaw
- Baked beans
How to Store Cooked Chicken Breast:
- First, chill it in the fridge for 3-4 days, wrapping it tightly with foil. It can then be frozen for up to three months, just make sure to double wrap it tightly (first in plastic wrap, then in a bag). Make sure to label it with the date!
- For more information on food storage, consult the links below:
Cold Food Storage Chart
4 Steps to Food Safety
Foodsafety.gov
How to Reheat Cooked Chicken Breast:
- Reheat leftover chicken low and slow to avoid drying it out. Use low oven heat (250°F) or stovetop with a lid, add a splash of liquid (water, broth, salsa) and heat until it reaches a 165°F internal temp. Don’t overheat! Let it rest for a few minutes before digging in.
For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What are the benefits of a pellet grill?
Pellet grills elevate your chicken grilling game with even heat, optional smoke flavor, easy temperature control, less monitoring, and surprising versatility for grilling, smoking, baking, and roasting. -
What are the best pellet flavors for smoking chicken?
For a touch of sweetness, applewood or cherrywood add a fruity twist and beautiful golden skin.
-
Should I brine chicken breast?
Brining your chicken is optional for grilling. While it can give you juicier meat (great for breasts) and extra flavor, it does require extra prep time and you may notice a subtler difference for chicken compared to other meats. Brine if you want the juiciest chicken possible, especially for lean cuts. Skip it if you're short on time or prefer pure chicken flavor. Experiment to see what you like best!
-
What are the best spices for chicken?
Smoking chicken is all about creating the right balance between smoky goodness and flavorful rubs. Don't forget the essential base of salt, pepper, and garlic powder for savory depth. Smoked paprika adds another smoky layer, while fresh or dried herbs like thyme or rosemary bring a touch of freshness. Finally, onion powder, garlic powder, or a hint of cayenne pepper can add depth and a touch of heat, creating a customized rub for your perfect smoked chicken.
-
What can I pair with chicken breast?
Smoked chicken's rich flavor truly shines with the right side dishes. The char and natural sweetness of grilled vegetables offer a refreshing contrast to the chicken’s smokiness, while starchy sides like cornbread and potato salad soak up the flavorful juices and coleslaw's cool, tangy crunch cuts through the richness. Baked beans add a sweet and savory counterpoint, completing a well-rounded and mouth-watering meal.
-
How should I store cooked chicken breast?
First, chill it in the fridge for 3-4 days, wrapping it tightly with foil. It can then be frozen for up to three months, just make sure to double wrap it tightly (first in plastic wrap, then in a bag). Make sure to label it with the date!
-
How should I reheat chicken breast?
Reheat leftover chicken low and slow to avoid drying it out. Use low oven heat (250°F) or stovetop with a lid, add a splash of liquid (water, broth, salsa) and heat until it reaches a 165°F internal temp. Don't overheat! Let it rest for a few minutes before digging in.
Rated 5 out of
5
by
S Hutchinson from
A Chicken Recipe you will keep
We gave this recipe a try over the weekend. Great directions and the chicken turned out so good. Definitely a hit with the family and a keeper recipe!
Date published: 2023-07-27
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Lara M from
The Juiciest Chick Breast Ever!
I followed the recipe, exactly. I didn’t follow the part of the recipe that provided a crispy crust, bc my breasts were skinless. The cooking time was actually spot on. The meat was absolutely fantastic! The juiciest chicken breast I’ve ever had!! I highly recommend this recipe.
Date published: 2023-05-26
Rated 5 out of
5
by
Gerry from
Super easy and delicious
Made chicken breasts on our pellet grill with this 2 step cooking method, and making them this way again. Extremely easy to do, and my wife who isn’t a huge fan of smoked meat, actually prefers the chicken cooked this method. Used Apple wood pellets
Date published: 2022-06-26
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