Easy Traeger Smoked Chicken Breast
Looking for a simple and delicious way to cook chicken breast on your Traeger? Look no further! This easy Traeger smoked chicken breast recipe will have your taste buds singing and your dinner guests asking for seconds.
Smoked chicken breast doesn’t get any better or easier than this! We are obsessed with smoking on our Traeger smoker, and with a few tricks these smoked chicken breasts turn out perfectly tender and moist every time.
Looking for more? Try our recipe for how to smoke a whole chicken in the Traeger, smoked chicken thighs, or our smoked chicken wings.
Unlike other chicken breast recipes, these are totally flavorful chicken breasts that never come out dry! We are letting you in on all our smoking tips as well as our smoked chicken dry rub recipe. Don’t miss it!
Traeger Smoker
Ok, have you used a Traeger grill yet? Or seen it be used? They always have Traeger demos going on here at our Costco, so go check it out at your local Costco or wherever you can find Traegers. And the next time you find a deal on a Traeger, get on board the Traeger train with us! These beauties are life-changing!
We’ve already shared our Brazilian Smoked Tri Tip, Smoked Pulled Pork, and Apple Pecan Smoked Turkey, so we were definitely due for a smoked chicken recipe!
Let’s skip all the small talk and get right to the details of smoking the best chicken breasts of your life!
Smoked Chicken Rub
This dish starts with our smoked chicken rub recipe that adds loads of smoky flavor to these boneless skinless chicken breasts. There is a little sweet, a little salt, a little heat, and every flavor you are looking for in the perfect Traeger smoked chicken breast. Here are the rub ingredients you’ll need:
- Brown Sugar
- Turbinado Sugar (if you can’t find turbinado sugar, just use more brown sugar)
- Celery Seed
- Paprika
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
Pat dry the chicken breasts with paper towels and then smother the top of them with half of this chicken rub. Then let them rest for 15 minutes or up to a half hour in the refrigerator. If you let them rest longer than 15 minutes, wrap them with plastic wrap.
How to Make Smoked Chicken Breasts
Now it is time to let the Traeger work its magic! Heat your smoker on “smoke” (on Traeger use the “super smoke”) with the lid open for 5 minutes. Then turn the heat to 350 degrees F and close the lid for 15 minutes to allow it to warm up.
Place the chicken spiced side down and then liberally coat the underside with the rest if the smoked chicken rub. Close the lid and allow it to cook for 12-13 minutes. Then turn the chicken over and allow it to cook for another 10-12 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165-170 degrees in the thickest part of the breast.
The Key to Perfectly Smoked Chicken Breasts
The key to smoking meat is to give it plenty of time at a low temperature and then plenty of time to rest on the counter as well. The muscle fibers get all worked up with cooking so you really need to let them relax again on the counter in order for the juices to redistribute, otherwise when you cut into the meat, or start to pull it apart in this case, all of the juices will run out which is a big mistake.
Once the chicken has reached temperature, remove the chicken from the grill and lay foil over the top of it on a cutting board. Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing.
Serve smoked chicken with homemade bbq sauce and your favorite sides dishes, such as mac and cheese, roasted sweet potatoes, baked beans or potato rolls!
What Flavor of Wood Pellets Should Be Used?
We love to use hickory or mesquite wood chips when we smoke chicken. Cherry, pecan and apple are all great options too.
How Long Does it Take to Smoke a Chicken at 350 Degrees?
All you need is about 40 minutes to have smoked chicken breasts. No waking up at 2am to start the smoker with this one! It is so quick and easy!
How Can You Tell if Chicken Breast is Cooked?
I love this little trick my mom taught me years ago. Touch your pointer finger and thumb together and the palm of your hand will tell you how a cooked chicken breast should feel. If it’s still jiggly it needs more time. Also, if you oiled your grill or the meat it should release from the grill grates when it is cooked.
Can Chicken Breast Be a Little Pink?
The USDA says that as long as all parts of the chicken have reached a minimum internal temperature of 165° F using a meat thermometer, it is safe to eat. Color doesn’t indicate doneness. Smoked meat often leaves a pink hue but if it has come to temperature it’s fine.
What Traeger Pellets Should I Use?
For this smoked chicken breasts recipe, we used a combination of apple and mesquite Traeger pellets. We like to try different pellets all the time, so try different ones to see which wood you like best, each adds a unique flavor.
Which Traeger Grill Should I Buy?
We have been given the opportunity to try out a few Traeger grills and we’ve decide the Texas Elite 34 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker Traeger grill is our favorite.
Pro tip: You don’t often think about having the best tools for handling the meat, but these these Dragonn tongs for grilling are the best rated on Amazon and we love them too!
Storage Tips
Leftover smoked chicken should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat it, place in a shallow baking dish, add a little water or chicken broth and cover with foil. Place it in the oven preheated to 350 degrees F and warm up until heated through.
You can also freeze this chicken, and it does extremely well. Let it cool completely and then place the chicken in a freezer safe container. It will keep for about a month.
We can’t wait for your to try this smoked chicken recipe! It is great on its own, but we also love it in our Smoked Chicken Kale Salad! Oh, and I haven’t mentioned that it’s healthy too!
More EASY CHICKEN RECIPES You will Love:
- All our GRILLED CHICKEN RECIPES
- Whole Smoked Chicken
- Grilled Asian Ginger Chicken
- Grilled BBQ Chicken (Our Favorite!)
- Sticky Asian Grilled Chicken
- Simple Garlic Butter Parmesan Chicken
- Balsamic Caprese Chicken
- Cornflake Ranch Chicken (Quick & Easy!)
- Easy Chicken Milanese
- Citrus Greek Chicken
- Creamy Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Smoked Chicken Wings
Easy Smoked Chicken Breasts
Description
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Turbinado Sugar *See Note
- 1 teaspoon Celery Seed
- 2 Tablespoons Paprika
- 2 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Onion Powder
- 4 Chicken Breasts large boneless, skinless
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
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Mix together all of the dry ingredients in a small bowl.2 Tablespoons Brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons Turbinado Sugar, 1 teaspoon Celery Seed, 2 Tablespoons Paprika, 2 Tablespoons Kosher Salt, 1 teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder, 2 Tablespoons Onion Powder
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Pat the chicken breasts dry on both sides and drizzle each side with a little olive oil.4 Chicken Breasts, 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
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Sprinkle the rub on top of the chicken breasts liberally. Allow to rest in the fridge for 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes (place plastic wrap over the top if over 15 minutes of rest time.)
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Heat a smoker on smoke (on traeger use the super smoke) with the lid opened for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to 350 degrees and close the lid for 15 minutes while it warms up.
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Put the chicken, spiced side down on the grill and liberally season the underside of the chicken. Cook for 12-13 minutes with the lid closed.
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Turn the chicken over and cook another 10-12 minutes or until cooked to 165-170 degrees.
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Remove the chicken from the grill and lay foil over the top on a cutting board. Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
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READ: Easy Traeger Smoked Chicken Breast
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