If you’re ready to cook the juiciest, most flavorful, tender chicken breast you’ve ever eaten, then this smoked chicken breast recipe is for you! This simple, easy to follow recipe will be a welcome addition in your weekly rotation, so stop reading and fire up that smoker. As always, if you make this smoked chicken breast recipe, please let me know how it was in the comments.
How long should I smoke chicken breast?
The smoking time depends on the thickness of the chicken breasts and the smoker temperature. On average, it takes around 1.5 to 2 hours at 225°F (107°C) for boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
What is the best wood for smoking chicken breast?
Mild hardwoods like apple, cherry, or pecan are ideal for smoking chicken breast as they impart a delicate smoky flavor without overpowering the meat.
Ingredients
Smoked Chicken Breast
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breast, preferably air chilled
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, substitute any other vegetable oil
Dry Rub
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 3 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika, preferably smoked
- 1 teaspoon dry ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar, substitute coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
BBQ Tools
- 🌡 MEATER Plus Bluetooth Thermometer - great for tracking internal temperature
- 🥩 ThermoPro Instant Read Thermometer - a must-have for any BBQer
- 🔥 GrillBlazer GrillGun - lights charcoal and wood in 1 minute (10% off)
Steps
Preheat the smoker
Preheat smoker to 225°F according to the manufacturer's instructions. Most pellet grills don’t need it, but you can add a pan of water in the corner of the smoker to keep moisture inside. If using a Traeger with the Super Smoke setting, turn it on as well.
Make the smoked chicken breast rub
In a medium sized bowl, mix together all of the dry rub ingredients.
Prep the chicken
Spread the olive oil evenly over all of the chicken breasts, and then apply an even layer of the seasoning mixture.
Smoke the chicken breasts
Place the chicken breasts in the smoker and smoke at 225°F until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F in the thickest part of the breast, approximately 1-1 1/2 hours depending on the size of the chicken. There's no need to wait until they've all reached 160°F; remove each chicken breast as they finish. The smoked chicken breasts will continue to cook once removed from the smoker and eventually reach a final temperature of 165℉.
I recommend using an internal meat thermometer to easily keep track of the temperature. Remember, always cook to temperature and not time!
Rest the smoked chicken breasts
Remove the smoked chicken breasts from the smoker and transfer them to a carving board. Tent them loosely with foil and let them rest on the counter for 10-20 minutes. This will allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat and not run out when slicing.
Serve the smoked chicken breasts
Once the chicken breasts have rested for 10-20 minutes they are ready to serve. Enjoy the juiciest, most flavorful chicken breasts you've ever had!
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