Break out the Traeger or Pit Boss because it's time to grill this smoked chicken breast! This is a perfect summer dinner recipe you can throw on the pellet grill for juicy and delicious BBQ chicken.
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During the summer months, our Traeger pellet grill sees a lot of action! With healthy grilling recipes like our grilled pork tenderloin and grilled pizza, there are tons of ideas for you here!
Throwing chicken breast on the smoker is so easy for a lazy summer meal. Rather than grilling chicken breast, we are slow-smoking it so you can enjoy the sunshine and let the pellet grill do the work!
Why You'll Love This Pellet Grill Smoked Chicken
- This is an easy beginner recipe for your electric smoker, Pit Boss, Traeger, or pellet grill.
- Customizable with BBQ sauce, marinades, chicken seasoning rubs, or your favorite flavor enhancers!
- Versatile! Use the pellet grill smoked chicken breast on salads, wraps, sandwiches, quesadillas, and nachos! Great for leftovers!
- An optional brine recipe for chicken helps to create even more moisture and smoky flavor.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breast is the meat selection for this smoked chicken breast recipe. We did not test this recipe using bone-in or split chicken breast.
- Brine. The chicken breast brine for smoking is the key to juicy and delicious chicken! Consisting of water, sugar, and kosher salt, this chicken brine creates such juicy and tender meat.
- BBQ Sauce. BBQ sauce or another honey or maple syrup glaze provides a delicious saucy addition to the final product.
- Seasonings. You could also use your favorite chicken dry rub or simple seasonings like citrus and herb, brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
How to Smoke Chicken Breast on a Pellet Grill
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
Step 1 - Optional Chicken Brine
Combine chicken brine ingredients in a large bowl. Pour over the raw chicken breast and brine in the refrigerator for at least four or up to 12 hours.
Step 2 - Season the Meat
Preheat the pellet grill to 225°F for about 15 minutes. Pat the chicken breast dry with a paper towel and season with paprika.
Step 3 - Place on the Smoker
Place the meat on the grill grates and close the lid. Smoke thin-cut chicken breast for 1-2 hours or thicker cuts for 2-3 hours. Temp the meat in the thickest part after ¾ of the time has elapsed (try to avoid opening the grill lid.)
Step 4 - Brush with BBQ Sauce
Once the meat has reached 140°F, brush barbecue sauce over the top of the meat. Cook the meat for an additional 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the cooked chicken is 165°F.
Step 5 - Allow Meat to Rest
Allow the smoked chicken breast to rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into slices or strips and then serving.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
What to Serve with Smoked Chicken Breast
This recipe for pellet grill smoked chicken breast is a classic summer dinner that pairs well with so many summer BBQ side dishes like roasted potato salad, Italian pasta salad, corn casserole, skillet cornbread, spring mix salad, and more!
BBQ chicken is also delicious when served with a classic baked potato and veggie side dish like garlic green beans or simple steamed broccoli.
Top a slice of juicy chicken with our corn and black bean dip!
Storage and Freezing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze cooked, cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Expert Tips
- You do not need to add salt to the chicken if you brine it. If you make it without brine, be sure to salt the chicken.
- Be sure to preheat the grill for at least 15 minutes before cooking.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to temp the chicken to 165°F.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes to keep it juicy and moist.
- Select wood chips that complement chicken (hickory, apple, mesquite, or cherry).
Recipe FAQs
Chicken breast's cooked internal temperature is 165°F. I use an instant-read meat thermometer rather than the clock to determine when the chicken is done.
The low and slow smoking method helps to keep the moisture in without drying the meat out. 225°F is the perfect temperature for juicy and delicious chicken breast.
Cooked and cooled chicken may be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months in the freezer.
When smoking chicken breast on the Traeger grill, there is no need to flip it. Traeger and pellet grills use hot air to evenly cook the meat, leaving no need for flipping.
Cook chicken breast on the pellet grill breast up.
The time for smoking chicken breast on the pellet grill depends on both the size of the chicken breast and the temperature of the grill.
Thicker cuts of meat will take longer to smoke, anywhere from two and a half to three hours. Thinner cuts of meat may take as little as one to two hours.
Additionally, the Traeger grill works by feeding wood pellets from the hopper into the fire to create a consistent heat source.
However, smoking meat on a cold or windy day makes it harder for the grill to stay hot.
This may mean it takes more time to cook the meat.
Avoid opening the lid of the pellet grill to keep the grill temperature consistent.
For this recipe, we smoked the chicken breast on the pellet grill at 225°F.
Most Traeger grills have a lower smoke temperature than 225°F; however, the best temp to smoke chicken is at 225°F, so we opted to use that temperature.
Related Recipes
Pellet Grill Smoked Chicken Breast with BBQ Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- pellet grill
- wood pellets
- instant read thermometer
Ingredients
- 16 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- salt to taste if not brining
- ½ cup bbq sauce
Optional Brine Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon Himalayan salt
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
Optional Brine Instructions
- Combine water, sugar, and salt until well dissolved. Place chicken breast into a large casserole dish and cover with brine for 4 hours.3 tablespoon Himalayan salt, 4 cups water, 1 tablespoon sugar
Smoking Instructions
- Preheat Traeger, Pit Boss, or pellet grill to 225F for 15 minutes.
- Dry brined chicken and season with paprika. Or, season chicken with salt and paprika.16 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, 2 teaspoon paprika, salt to taste
- Place prepared chicken onto the grill grates and close the lid. Smoke for 1-3 hours depending on the thickness of the meat.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking when the meat has reached 145-150F, evenly brush the bbq sauce. Allow the meat to continue to cook until 165F.½ cup bbq sauce
- Take the meat off of the grill and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You do not need to add salt to the smoked chicken breast if you brine it. If you make it without brine, be sure to salt the chicken.
- Be sure to preheat the grill for at least 15 minutes prior to cooking.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to temp the chicken to 165F.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes to keep it juicy and moist.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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