Smoked Chicken Breast
Once you have smoked chicken breast you will never go back. Making smoked chicken breast is surprisingly easy to do, and very enjoyable to eat. Below you can walk through the easy step-by-step process of how you can make this tasty smoked recipe. Beware, once you try this, you may never want to eat chicken any other way.
Best Smoked Chicken Breasts
You can easily make the best smoked chicken breast on your own! We are excited to walk you through step-by-step process of how you can easily make the most juicy smoked chicken breast using this simple recipe. Plus, making chicken breast on the smoker is surprisingly easy to do, and it tastes amazing! This just might be your new favorite recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe for smoked chicken breast works really well because it is very easy to make, and tastes fabulous. To make smoked chicken breasts on your pellet grill, Traeger grill, or any other kind of smoker, you only need a few basic ingredients, and a bit of time. If you love a good chicken breast, then this recipe is the one you have got to try.
Reasons Why You Should Brine the Chicken
One of the keys to the smoked chicken breast that turns out fabulous is in the brining. You should definitely brine your chicken because it adds extra flavor, and helps to protect the juiciness inside your chicken. Brining your chicken is worth the time and effort because it makes your chicken so much better.
The Brining Process
The brining process is typically when you mix your favorite seasonings or sugars in water. Once mixed, you submerge your chicken in the seasoning and water mixture, then allow it to marinate for a period of time, so that it absorbs those flavors.
Seasoning for Smoked Chicken Breast
Your chicken has finished brining, you can remove it from the mixture, then create your spice rub. Add your favorite spices together, then roll your chicken in the spices so that both sides of your chicken are covered with the spice mixture stuck to it. Now it’s time to smoke!
Time and Temp
Smoking your chicken breasts at the right temperature for the correct amount of time, so that it reaches the perfect internal temperature is key. Knowing these specific temperatures and times are important when you are making smoked chicken breast.
What Temperature Should I Smoke Chicken Breast
The best temperature to smoke your chicken breasts at is 225°F. Although, you may smoke your chicken breast at 250°F if desired.
How Long to Smoke Boneless Chicken Breast
The amount of time it takes to smoke your boneless chicken breast may vary. Typically, it may take between two and three hours to fully smoke your boneless chicken breast so that they are done inside.
What Temperature Should I Cook Chicken To
In order for the chicken to be edible, smoked chicken breast must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Target Internal Temperature For Chicken
The target internal temperature for chicken is 165°F. When you are smoking your chicken, you can smoke it until it is close to your internal temperature, then remove it from your smoker and allow it to rest before serving. Make sure that your digital thermometer reads at least 165°F before serving.
The Best Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe
Tools and Equipment You Will Need
Smoker
Basting Brush
Thermometer
Ingredients You Need
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 Tbsp Dijon mustard
Chicken Brine:
4 cups lukewarm water
¼ cup salt
1/3 cup brown sugar
Homemade Chicken Rub:
¼ cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp Paprika
1 tsp Onion powder
1 tsp Garlic powder
½ tsp Garlic salt
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Chili powder
How To Make Smoked Chicken Breasts
1. Prepping the chicken
Begin by preparing your chicken, take a mixing bowl, and add brown sugar and salt. Mix to combine. Add your chicken breasts, then cover in water. Refrigerate and allow your brine to soak into your chicken and marinade for 1-2 hours, but no more than 6 hours.
2. Setting up your smoker
Prepare the grill for smoking by preheating your smoker to 225°F.
3. Seasoning the chicken
In a small mixing bowl, combine your chicken rub seasonings. Remove your chicken from the brine, and pat dry. Brush with Dijon mustard, then dip into the seasoning mixture on both sides to apply the rub to the chicken. Now your chicken breasts are ready to smoke.
4. Smoke the chicken breasts
Place your chicken breasts onto your smoker and insert a digital read temperature probe into the largest chicken breast so that you can keep an eye on the internal temperature of your chicken. Smoke your chicken breasts until they reach the internal temperature of 160°F. Remove from the grill.
5. Rest and Serve
Cover your chicken loosly with a sheet of aluminum foil, while you allow your chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes. Then serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
We have estimated the above recipe contains approximately four servings. Please note that the following nutritional facts may vary depending on how much chicken you grill, and how much your specific chicken breast absorbs from the brine and rub.
We have estimated that one serving contains approximately 506 calories. We have also estimated that one serving contains approximately 3.2 g total fat, 315 mg cholesterol, 12 g total carbohydrates, and 100.2 g protein.
Top Tips
Evenly Sized Chicken Breast. If possible, it’s a very good idea to smoke chicken breasts that are approximately the same size. This allows your cooking time to be the same for all pieces of meat.
Finishing with a Glaze. If desired, you can finish off your chicken breasts with a glaze after they are entirely cooked.
Experiment with wood chips. Different types of wood provide a different smoke flavoring to your chicken breast. You can start out with any basic word flavor such as apple, cherry, walnut, anything you wish. Then, mix things up each time you smoke chicken breast to see which flavor of wood pellets you like best.
Cook the meat just right. Using a digital read thermometer when you are smoking chicken breast is important. This allows you to cook your meat just right, so that is not raw, and not overcooked. Plus it helps you not have to constantly open the lid of your smoker, which results in cooking your meat the best possible.
Rest the meat. Before you serve your smoked chicken breast, it is wise to allow 5 to 10 minutes for the meat to rest before serving. This allows it to continue cooking for a few minutes and allows it to taste amazing when it is served.
Store in airtight container. Any leftovers from your smoked chicken breast should be stored in an airtight container and either refrigerated or placed in the freezer and frozen. It’s important for any smoked chicken to be stored in an airtight container, otherwise, it will dry out.
Serving Suggestions
Smoked chicken breast is the best one served fresh from your smoker. You’ll want to allow it a few minutes to rest, and then serve right away before enjoying. Now that you have your main dish determined, it’s time to decide what you can serve alongside your smoked chicken breast. Below are a few ideas for you.
What to Serve with Smoked Chicken Breasts
Storing and Reheating
Room Temperature. Smoked chicken breast should remain at room temperature for no more than two hours. If your room temperature is 90°F or above, it should only remain out for one hour or less.
Fridge. Smoked chicken breast may last between three and four days when stored in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. To store smoked chicken in the fridge, transfer it to an airtight container or seal it in a plastic storage bag before placing it in the fridge.
Freezer. Smoked chicken may also be frozen if desired and may last in the freezer at 0°F or below for 2 to 6 months. To freeze, wrap securely in freezer paper, then seal inside of a freezer bag, or freeze inside of an airtight container to be sure your smoked chicken breasts do not become freezer burnt in the freezer.
Reheating Smoked Chicken Breasts
The best way to reheat smoked chicken breast is to heat it in the oven. To do this, you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F. While your oven is preheating, take a sheet of aluminum foil and loosely wrap your smoked chicken breast in the foil.
When your oven is preheated, place your wrapped chicken breast on a baking sheet and place it into the oven. Warm your chicken breast in the oven for approximately 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of your smoked chicken breast reaches 160°F.
What Wood for Smoked Chicken Breast
There are many different options to choose from when determining what wood to use for smoked chicken breast. A few of the more popular options include Maplewood, Applewood, Cherrywood, and Mesquite.
FAQs
How Long Does it Take to Smoke Chicken Breasts at 225?
When smoking chicken breasts at 225°F, it will take approximately 60 to 80 minutes to fully cook your chicken breast to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Do You Flip Chicken Breast When Smoking?
You can flip the chicken breast when smoking about halfway through. Or you can wait until your chicken breasts are mostly cooked internally and then flip them over. There is no need to continue flipping your chicken breast throughout the cooking time, turning them once will work.
How do You Smoke Chicken Breast Without Drying it Out?
To prevent your chicken breast from drying out while they are smoking, it is a good idea to allow them to brine, and then dip them in your seasonings to cover the outside of your chicken breast. This will prevent them from drying out as they are soaked.
How do You Know When Smoked Chicken is Fully Cooked?
The best way to know if chicken breast is fully cooked is to keep a temperature probe inside of your chicken breast as they smoke. This will allow you to monitor the internal temperature of your chicken breast and prevent them from becoming overdone.
Should I let my chicken rest?
Yes, it is a good idea to fully smoke your chicken breast, then remove them from the smoker, wrap them in aluminum foil and allow them to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
How long does it take to smoke a boneless chicken breast?
The amount of time it takes to fully smoke boneless chicken breasts may vary, however it usually takes between 60 and 80 minutes for it to be done.
What temperature do you smoke chicken breasts?
It is good to cook your chicken breast at a low and slow temperature. You want to smoke your chicken breast until they reach the internal temperature of 160 to 165°F before removing them from your smoker.
When is chicken breast done?
Your chicken breasts are done when they are fully cooked or have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
Types of Smokers
1. Charcoal Smoker
2. Propane Smoker
3. Pellet Smoker
4. Electric Smoker
What Smoker to Use?
There are many different types of smokers you can choose to use. The best type of smoker for you might depend on your setup, and how you intend to use it the most.
Our Preference
Our preferred smoker is a Weber pellet smoker that is electric. This one has worked well for us, however, your preferred smoker may be different. When you are determining what kind of smoker to get, be sure you research it thoroughly.
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Easy Smoked Chicken Breast
This recipe will help you to make a surprisingly easy smoked chicken breast. This is a very easy process that you can do, to enjoy delightfully juicy smoked chicken breast that is loaded with amazing flavor. The process of making the smoked chicken breast is surprisingly easy and takes very little hands-on time.
Smoked Chicken Breasts
There is nothing quite as delightful as enjoying freshly smoked chicken breasts. This recipe will walk you through the easiest step-by-step process of how you too can enjoy these delicious smoked chicken breasts and some tips and tricks for how to make them the best possible.
This recipe is one you have got to try, and you will be delighted with how amazing they taste. Give it a try today and let us know what you think!
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Other Recipes You’ll Love
Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe
Smoked Chicken Breast
Ingredients
- 5-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 Tbsp Dijon mustard
Chicken Brine:
- 4 cups lukewarm water
- ¼ cup salt
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
Homemade Chicken Rub:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Garlic salt
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Chili powder
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your chicken, take a mixing bowl, and add brown sugar and salt. Mix to combine. Add your chicken breasts, then cover in water. Refrigerate and allow your brine to soak into your chicken and marinade for 1-2 hours, but no more than 6 hours.
- Prepare the grill for smoking by preheating your smoker to 225°F.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine your chicken rub seasonings. Remove your chicken from the brine, and pat dry. Brush with Dijon mustard, then dip into the seasoning mixture on both sides to apply the rub to the chicken. Now your chicken breasts are ready to smoke.
- Place your chicken breasts onto your smoker and insert a digital read temperature probe into the largest chicken breast so that you can keep an eye on the internal temperature of your chicken. Smoke your chicken breasts until they reach the internal temperature of 160°F. Remove from the grill.
- Tent your chicken with a sheet of aluminum foil, while you allow your chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes. Then serve and enjoy!
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