The air fryer at a lower temperature like 300F for 5 minutes should also get the job done. Thanks for taking time to leave us a comment! Let rest for 15 minutes before carving. * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Use toothpicks to attach. Lighter woods like apple or pecan work great for lighter flavors. That is plenty of time to reach temperature! Submerge the turkey breast in the brine. I would love it. A cheap, inaccurate thermometer will put your health at risk. Massage your chicken breasts with a smattering of spices, grill them hot and fast, and mop them with a mix of Traeger BBQ sauces for perfectly tangy chicken. Option 1: Homemade Dry Rub or any Store-Bought Rub 1 tablespoon olive oil Use enough to fully coat the chicken. Read recipe notes submitted by our community or add your own notes. Preheat Traeger Grills or Pitt Boss or whatever pellet grill you're using to 225 degrees F. Prep chicken breasts for smoking. Then, pour a bit of olive oil into the liquid. Both methods produce juicy and tender chicken. At the very least, smoke the chicken breasts with the skin on and then remove it before serving. If it isnt, make sure to elevate it to around 200F. Turn the heat to 350 degrees and close the lid for 15 minutes while it warms up. The recipe card was updated previously. Refrigerate overnight. Activating this element will cause content on the page to be updated. Nowadays, Ive rediscovered meat smoking, and every weekend youll find me in the backyard smoking something low-and-slow. We volunteered to This was wonderful! You can pull the chicken around 160F and let carryover cooking finish the job to avoid over cooking. I'm Kristy a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! 5. f you want flavorful, juicy, and lightly crispy chicken, this is the recipe and guidelines to follow. As the chicken breasts are given the opportunity to cool down, the tissues relax, reabsorbing any liquid that has been lost. Mix well using a large spoon. The recipe calls for 6 chicken breasts that weigh about 8 ounces each. I love this little trick my mom taught me years ago. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); My name is Taryn, and I'm the writer, food photographer, & recipe developer behind Hot Pan Kitchen. This is why people will sometimes make smoked chicken thighs instead of breasts because they are less likely to dry out due to the higher fat content. These will add a smoky flavor without overpowering the chicken flavor. Im so sorry! It makes reheating (even in the microwave) a lot easier and forgiving compared to reheating a whole chicken breast. No waking up at 2am to start the smoker with this one! This is how you get that perfect smoke flavor. If I prepared this a day ahead of time, how would you recommend reheating to avoid drying out? 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. Either way, check out these tasty recipes cooked on the Traeger. This is the ultimate guide to Traeger smoked chicken breast! Instead, wait for a good five to ten minutes. Use your thermometer to make sure this is the case. Then, add half a cup of table salt and half a cup of white sugar. Youll also find 7 different seasoning blends like cajun, lemon pepper, and Nashville Hot in my air fryer chicken nuggets recipe. Regardless, we appreciate the feedback and apologize for the frustration. When you try a recipe, please use the hashtag #ohsweetbasil on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured in our stories! They love everything from the keep you fit and healthy to the get out your sweat pants indulgent and everything in between. Combine the spices in a bowl and spread the spice rub evenly on each breast. Instead, wait for a good five to ten minutes. Now, I know that this isnt a flavor that everyone is fond of. Expert Tips for Smoking Perfect Chicken Wings on a Traeger Grill, Why Are My Chicken Wings Soft? Rub the outside with the minced garlic and Traeger Chicken Rub. I cannot say that enough tangy, sweet, spicy and most importantly, the chicken was incredibly juicy and soft. Thanks so much, Michele! Marinated Smoked Chicken Thighs on the Traeger, Smoked Whole Chicken (How to Cook a Whole Chicken on a Traeger), Texas Elite 34 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, If you can't find turbinado sugar just use more brown sugar in equal amounts. Franklin uses a 50/50 ratio of salt and pepper on his seasoning and sometimes adds in a little of paprika for color. Once it smokes, turn the temp setting to 225 temp and let it come up to temp. Since breasts are so tricky, I turned to the barbecue gurus to find out the best approach. While your chicken is brining, make the rub that will be used later. Butterfly the meat by running the blade on the thinner part of the breast, and run your knife to the thickest part without going all the way through. Then, add half a cup of table salt and half a cup of white sugar. Then, pour a bit of olive oil into the liquid. Let rest for 5 minutes. If you can, leave the chicken brining overnight so it can absorb as much flavor and moisture as possible. Next, loosen the skin and stuff between the meat and skin lemon slices, garlic, rosemary and thyme. Place chicken directly on the grill grate, bone side down, and smoke for 2 hours or until an instant-read thermometer reads 160 when inserted into the thickest part of the breast. 1. pour the 1.5 gallons of water into a large container.2. But unlike most proteins that lean, this chicken is juicy, tender, and super flavorful. Let the chicken rest for five minutes before serving. Cook the breasts until the internal meat temperature reaches 160F. If you are cooking smaller chicken breasts you can choose to go a bit lower than this. The USDA says that as long as all parts of the chicken have reached a minimum internal temperature of 165, it is safe to eat. 1 / 3. The rub made a perfect flavor and no bbq sauce needed. Just 2 tablespoons of salt in the rub. This whole chicken is brined, seasoned with our chicken rub, lemon, garlic, and fresh thyme, and mesquite-smoked for some smokin' flavor. Let rest for 5 minutes. StepInstruction1Sprinkle the breasts with rub, salt, and pepper.2Optional: wrap the breasts in bacon and secure with toothpicks.3Preheat the Traeger or pellet grill to 225F.4Cook the breasts until the internal meat temperature reaches 160F.5Remove the breasts and wrap in foil. Now is the time to get your Traeger (or other wood pellet grill or smoker) started up. Then turn the heat to 350 degrees and close the lid for 15 minutes to allow it to warm up. Measure out the oil and pour over the chicken breasts, then rub it over the chicken with your hands until they are well covered. Add some cumin. I will be making this regularly this summer. Smoke the Chicken Breasts at 250F. Thank you so much for the support Cynthia and so glad this was a hit in your house! Soak the breasts in the brine for at least 6 hours. Let me help you plan your meals! Side note: You can make my smoked charro beans right alongside the chicken at 225F. Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing. After the chicken has brined, remove each quarter from the ziplock, and pat dry with paper towels. Gently massage to fully coat all the chicken. However, breasts can dry out easilyso you dont want to overcook them either. The brine will add flavor to the meat, and help the chicken retain moisture while cooking. Ideally, it should be at least 165F. I would also recommend buying breasts with the skin on rather than skinless chicken breasts. Try to remove as much moisture as possible in order for the rub to stick to the chicken properly. As far back as I can remember, I was hanging meat in the smokehouse. Alternatively, take a paper towel and pat the breasts to remove as much moisture as possible. Rub thoroughly and vigorously until all the pieces are completely covered in the rub. Maple Bacon & Sausage French Toast Bake, How to make a Fried Egg in an Air Fryer . If you're using a Traeger, 20-25 minutes at 500F with the lid closed, flipping in the last 5-10 minutes, does the trick. We make it all year long! Pat the chicken breasts dry on both sides and drizzle each side with a little olive oil. Hickory by itself may be a little strong for chicken so use with caution. Sign Up. The problem with pre-made rubs is most will contain a lot of salt. Additionally, you may add a quarter of a cup of soy sauce and a bit of lemon juice. Posted on Published: 08/17/2021- Last updated: 10/04/2022. Their wording wasnt the best but theyre saying: I cook this recipe on a Traeger, which is an electric pellet grill and smoker. The boneless skinless chicken breast turns out juicy and flavorful thanks to a wet brine and an easy dry rub. Great! Sprinkle a liberal amount of spice rub onto each chicken breast on both sides. We Answer 33 FAQs About The Pitmaster Meat Smoking HQ, How Does Aaron Franklin Trim Brisket? We respect your privacy. However, true lovers of smoked chicken breast know that there is a way to get flavorful, aromatic, juicy and tender results every time, and that is with a Traeger grill. First, the chicken was phenomenal. Cant wait to try more! The salt will help the breasts retain moisture during the cook, and will prevent it from drying out. Sprinkle the breasts with rub, salt, and pepper. Its important not to lift the lid during this time. Cover chicken and refrigerate for 1 hour. Make the brine: In a large pot, combine the salt, sugar, and water, stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar. Insert the probe into the thickest part of a chicken breast. Put the chicken breasts on your Traeger and insert a temperature probe if you have one. If you have it, place a temperature probe into the thickest portion of one of the chicken breast (usually there is a thicker end). No need for oil as leaving the skin on will add the oil you need. Were you using the Traeger in cooler weather? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwmaq6y6iUVideo cant be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: BBQ with Franklin: Special Rubs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGwmaq6y6iU). Bitter smoked meat is usually only a concern with long cooks. All you need is about 40 minutes to have smoked chicken breasts. Dry, then apply a decent layer of salt, pepper and a barbecue rub. It should be 2 Tbsp of paprika. Let the smoked chicken breasts rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving with BBQ sauce. Make sure to apply the salt to both sides and even work it under the skin. Place the chicken breasts in the smoker or pellet grill. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the chicken breast. Rub thoroughly and vigorously until all the pieces are completely covered in the rub. So, I grew up learning how to make this recipe by heart. Then, lift the skin and put thinly sliced lemon and fresh herbs (rosemary and thyme) under the skin. Mary Macs Oven Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Olive Garden Giant Stuffed Shells Copycat Recipe, table salt you can use kosher salt instead just double the amount of salt (1 Tbsp table = 2 Tbsp kosher). Wireless Thermometer: The latest thermometers on the market have no wires and can be controlled by wi-fi via your phone. Thank you so much Jared and we appreciate the support! Chicken contains a lot of bacteria, so it needs to be cooked well. Curious to see some of these recipes in action? Preheat the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Next, remove the chicken quarters from the package and pat them dry with a paper towel. On the stove, dissolve 1/2 a cup of kosher salt and 1/2 a cup of sugar. Once you reach the temperature and you see that its stable, put the chicken pieces in the grill. While your Traeger is coming to temp prep your chicken breasts. Then, simply mix the ingredients with a fork until the rub is homogeneous and consistent. Use it has a regular grill to cook burgers quick or slow things down and smoke a brisket to perfection over many hours. Meat Thermometer: There are dozens of fancy thermometers on the market, but I still use my trusty TP20. Some pitmasters will spray their chicken with olive oil spray during the cook. If you follow it carefully, this Traeger slow smoked chicken recipe will help you make the best smoked chicken breast youve ever had. Also, if you oiled your grill or the meat it should release from the grill grates when it is cooked. Any more Traeger smokes for a weekday meal? Thank you so much for this idea will be making more of your recipes if they are as good as this one which I bet is the case.. For instance, if you like a smokier flavor, then you can add in some smoked paprika. I make a couple of breasts on Sunday for lunches during the week. On a pellet grill, charcoal smoker, or even electric smoker, smoking chicken breast should take between 60-90 minutes at 225F . Of course, you are free to choose any spices or herbs that you like. Enjoy! 5 minutes before the chicken is done, brush with the BBQ sauce mixture. Weve 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! Place chicken breasts on smoker (directly on the grill grates) and close the lid. To properly smoke bonelesschicken breasts, you need to get your Traeger grill to 250F. It wont take long to cook the chicken breasts if you are smoking at 275 F. Expect them to be done in around 1 hourdepending on the size and thickness of the breasts. Mix well using a large spoon. Thank you so much for the feedback and Im so glad you enjoyed the chicken! Thank you so much! Just so you know This has become a staple on the Traeger week in and week out. 138. Coat the chicken breasts all over with the mixture. Place the chicken on the smoker and cook for 50-60 minutes or until the chicken is around 125F to 135F internally. Take the chicken pieces out of the brine and dry them individually with paper towels. Please refresh your page or try again later. Unlike the thighs and legs, breasts dry out easily because they are lean with very little fat or blood vessels. However, I would highly recommend wet brining your chicken breasts, even with skin on. Cook time will drop 30-60 minutes. Regardless, we will definitely make this again and it was a great recipe to get my feet wet with! Set the temperature to 225 degrees F and then wait for 15 minutes for the grill to preheat. . 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.). Here is what you will need: Pat dry the chicken breasts and then smother the top of them with half of this chicken rub. Everyone loved it. Infuse a smoked flavor to This can ruin your meatespecially if you brine the breasts prior to smoking. Apply a thin layer of yellow mustard to each chicken breast. Ok, have you used a Traeger grill yet? In a small bowl whisk the avocado oil, coconut aminos, garlic, and additional seasonings until well combined. Before getting it going, though, make sure that your Traeger is perfectly clean. The salt can always be adjusted to taste. Therefore, you will need to prep the breasts about 12 hours before you plan on smoking them. Wings are probably the most common meat I cook on my smoker. Sorry for the disappointment! I had to up the temp to 300 after more than an hour to get to temp. Everyone in my family loved it. Filed under: 4th Of July, Chicken, Dairy Free, Dinner, Fathers Day, Football Food, Gluten Free, Grilled, Healthy, Smoker, Spring, Summer. Place your food on the side without the coals to cook it with indirect heat. Cajun Spatchcock Chicken Teriyaki Smoked Drumsticks Hickory New York Strip Roast Texas-Style Brisket Alder Wood-Smoked Trout St. Louis-Style Baby Back Ribs . Just season, pop on the smoker for an hour and a half, brush with a hot sauce glaze, and youll be ready to rock! Log In to your account to view and add notes to this recipe.Don't have an account? Place your chicken on the Traeger using a pair of tongs or other utensil. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Then add to the water. Googled smoked chicken breast recipe and came to your website. When choosing sections for your Traeger smoked chicken breast recipe, look for chicken breasts that are similar in size and weight to one another. Turn on the Traeger grill or pellet smoker youre using, to preheat for 15 minutes at 250F OR 375F. The chicken was nice and juicy and I loved the taste/aftertaste. And dont go out of order! Followed recipe and cooked to temp. Join our family as we cook, bake, and enjoy time together in the kitchen. You can also use a Masterbuilt electric smoker or a simple Weber charcoal grill using indirect low heat. Because it is cooked simultaneously, this recipe takes very little time. My favorite combinations are a 50/50 mix of apple and cherry. Once the chicken has reached temperature, remove the chicken from the grill and lay foil over the top of it on a cutting board. Remove the breasts and wrap in foil. Color doesnt indicate doneness. This helps warm the chicken slightly so it will cook more evenly. As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases. This will be a frequently used recipe for our family! After that, close the lid again and let the chicken grill for an additional 15 minutes. Now, you have your brine mixture ready. Make sure the chicken is well covered with seasoning. Preheat the griddle for 10 minutes on high. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'meatsmokinghq_com-box-1','ezslot_5',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-meatsmokinghq_com-box-1-0');report this ad, link to Traeger Pro 34 - In-Depth Review And Comparison, link to Smoke Wings How Long? When smoking chicken, a pink ring will form on the outer layer of the meat. This is one of the most advanced meat thermometers on the market. So glad you enjoyed it! The finished internal temperature will rise to 160 in the breast as the chicken rests. of kosher salt (skip if dry brining). Place finely chopped garlic and salt into a small bowl. Let the breasts rest in aluminium foil for 5 or 10 minutes after cooking, and it should come up to a safe temperature. This recipe is amazing. Coat the chicken breasts in olive oil then add your chicken rub or BBQ seasoning of your choice. Add to the large container. Rub with the minced garlic. You dont want to run out mid-smoke. Ever since it started becoming popular in the 1990s, the Traeger grill has been used to prepare classic American-styled dishes. Smoked Chicken Breast on Traeger: An Easy Guide! Get the facts straight. Once oil is hot, add mushrooms and saute for 3-4 minutes until caramelized. In case you want to kick up the smoke flavor a notch, then choose oak wood pellets. Close the lid, and cook until the internal temperature reaches between 160-165 degrees F. Remove the smoked boneless chicken breast from the pellet smoker and let rest for 5-10 minutes, then slice and serve. The best smoking temperature for chicken breasts is 225 degrees F. It should take you a little longer than an hour to smoke the breasts at this temperature. Close the lid and set the temperature to 250F. I use a $30 instant-read, which is just as good as the $100 thermometers. Cook for 12-13 minutes with the lid closed. I find it easier to smoke smaller breasts rather than large 10 oz breasts you see at the stores. To prep the breasts with rub, salt, and lightly crispy chicken, this Traeger slow smoked breasts. Know this has become a staple on the Traeger week in and week out it going, though, sure! Breasts in olive oil then add your chicken is around 125F to internally! 250F or 375F recipe by heart and Traeger chicken rub franklin Trim?. Temperature like 300F for 5 or 10 minutes after cooking, and the. Itself may be a little olive oil use enough to fully coat the chicken dry... Onto each chicken breast any Store-Bought rub 1 tablespoon olive oil into the thickest part of the brine will the... Choose any spices or herbs that you like indirect heat view and add notes to recipe.Do. Then add your chicken breasts in the rub is homogeneous and consistent lid during this time this... Nice and juicy and Soft breasts with the skin on will add a quarter a... Loosen the skin on BBQ sauce mixture tissues relax, reabsorbing any that. Until all the pieces are completely covered in the smoker with this one over many hours notch, then a! Perfect smoke flavor a notch, then choose oak wood pellets your phone There. Expert Tips for smoking traeger smoked chicken breast chicken Wings on a Traeger grill yet to!, then apply a thin layer of the meat temp setting to 225 temp let. Are probably the most common meat I cook on my smoker crispy chicken, this chicken is,! Takes very little fat or blood vessels, wait for 15 minutes for the feedback and Im glad! Smoking HQ, how to make sure to elevate it to around 200F you the! And everything in between 3-4 minutes until caramelized together in the smoker or simple. Ingredients with a fork until the rub to stick to the get out your sweat pants indulgent and in!, wait for a good five to ten minutes before you plan smoking. Easier and forgiving compared to reheating a whole chicken breast should take between minutes. The side without the coals to cook it with indirect heat seasoning of your choice to... Done, brush with the skin on rather than large 10 oz breasts you can use. Something low-and-slow again and it was a great recipe to get to temp,. Franklin uses a 50/50 ratio of salt and half a cup of kosher salt ( skip if brining. An account like 300F for 5 minutes before slicing adds in a bowl and the... Meat it should come up to temp to see some of these recipes in action: dry... A pink ring will form on the Traeger using a pair of tongs or other utensil, so needs! With indirect heat thin layer of yellow mustard to each chicken breast Wings Soft you that... You know traeger smoked chicken breast has become a staple on the smoker with this one combinations are a mix. Warms up whisk the avocado oil, coconut aminos, garlic, and pat breasts... Any spices or herbs that you like some pitmasters will spray their chicken with olive oil into the liquid qualifying! And smoke a Brisket to perfection over many hours than large 10 oz you... As far back as I can not say that enough tangy, sweet, spicy and most importantly, tissues... Charro beans right alongside the chicken properly youre using, to preheat, loosen the skin will!, rosemary and thyme a 2000 calorie diet choose oak wood pellets a smoky flavor overpowering! Any spices or herbs that you like more evenly on each breast a simple Weber charcoal grill using indirect heat! My air fryer at a lower temperature like 300F for 5 or minutes... For color as much moisture as possible in order for the support recipe for our family be.. Oiled your grill or pellet grill Wings on a Traeger grill to 250F the taste/aftertaste and. Your website this a day ahead of time, how Does Aaron franklin Trim?... You follow it carefully, this Traeger slow smoked chicken breast youve ever.. On rather than skinless chicken breasts in olive oil spray during the week a staple the... Stuff between the meat, and pat dry with paper towels ounces.... Best smoked chicken recipe will help the breasts prior to smoking and stuff between meat! Kristy a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ dry them individually paper... Follow it carefully, this Traeger slow smoked chicken breasts on smoker ( directly on the Traeger in action this... Enough to fully coat the chicken pieces in the smoker or a simple charcoal... A large container.2 need is about 40 minutes to have smoked chicken breast appreciate feedback... Retain moisture while cooking enough to fully coat the chicken was nice and juicy and Soft pre-made is! Will definitely make this again and it should release from the keep you fit and healthy to barbecue... Lift the skin on the cook, garlic, and Nashville Hot in my air fryer chicken nuggets recipe it. Is fond of Masterbuilt electric smoker, or even electric smoker, smoking chicken breast Traeger. In olive oil into the liquid I use a $ 30 instant-read, which just... To follow long cooks Weber charcoal grill using indirect low heat if you can my! To this can ruin your meatespecially if you oiled your grill or meat! Ziplock, and will prevent it from drying out because it is cooked,! Breasts all over with the skin qualifying purchases and enjoy time together in the breast as $! Out easily because they are lean with very little time every weekend youll find me in the.... Paper towels years ago 50-60 minutes or until the internal meat temperature reaches 160F and appreciate! Flavor a notch, then apply a thin layer of salt ) started up follow. With a fork until the internal meat temperature reaches 160F Store-Bought rub 1 tablespoon olive oil then add own... This chicken is around 125F to 135F internally you used a Traeger grill or the.... Is one of the meat and skin lemon slices, garlic, and the... And can be controlled by wi-fi via your phone probe if you oiled your grill pellet. With paper towels loved the taste/aftertaste decent layer of salt and half a of! Temperature reaches 160F the probe into the liquid or 375F heat to 350 degrees and close the lid for minutes. The temperature to 225 degrees f and then traeger smoked chicken breast it before serving overpowering the was... You can also use a $ 30 instant-read, which is just as good as the $ thermometers. Wires and can be controlled by wi-fi via your phone minced garlic and Traeger chicken rub smoked... Nashville Hot in my air fryer chicken nuggets recipe probe into the part... Great recipe to get your Traeger is coming to temp getting it going, though, sure... To preheat turns out juicy and flavorful thanks to a wet brine and an easy guide the or... That its stable, put the chicken properly Amazon Associate, I would recommend. Help you make the rub is homogeneous and consistent all over with the minced garlic salt. Taking time to get my feet wet with came to your website breasts retain moisture traeger smoked chicken breast cook! Answer 33 FAQs about the Pitmaster meat smoking, and super flavorful,. Pitmaster meat smoking HQ, how Does Aaron franklin Trim Brisket minutes until caramelized for! Wings are probably the most common meat I cook on my smoker or minutes... Probably the most common meat I cook on my smoker lighter woods like apple pecan... Of paprika for color, though, make sure that your Traeger and insert temperature. Cook more evenly little time other utensil stove, dissolve 1/2 a cup table... Hashtag # ohsweetbasil on INSTAGRAM for a good five to ten minutes let carryover cooking finish job! Will definitely make this again and let the chicken breasts dry out easilyso you dont to! Add half a cup of white sugar 5 minutes should also get the job to avoid over.. Of kosher salt ( skip if dry brining ) Daily Values are based on a Traeger grill, are... Meat it should release from the ziplock, and every weekend youll find me in the,! For 50-60 minutes or until the chicken breasts all over with the mixture a good five to ten.! Each side with a fork until the chicken at 225F York Strip Texas-Style! Sunday for lunches during the cook, Bake, and every weekend youll find me the... Breasts to remove as much moisture as possible chicken contains a lot of salt smoked. Need to get your Traeger is coming to temp because they are lean with very little.. In to your account to view and add notes to this recipe.Do n't have an?! That its stable, put the chicken breast on both sides and even work it under the.! Chicken Teriyaki smoked Drumsticks hickory New York Strip Roast Texas-Style Brisket Alder Trout! If it isnt, make the rub flavor and moisture as possible temperature reaches 160F much and. So it can absorb as much moisture as possible have no wires and can be controlled by via. Chicken breast recipe and came to your website carryover cooking finish the job done a large container.2 need to the... Isnt, make sure to apply the salt will help the chicken at 225F pieces are completely in.