Looking for more? Regardless, we will definitely make this again and it was a great recipe to get my feet wet with! Smoked Chicken Breast on Traeger: An Easy Guide! If you want to reheat the chicken breasts, you can do so on the stovetop, in the oven, or even on the grill. Brush the hot sauce and brown sugar mixture on top of the chicken and cook another 30-40 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160F to 165F. If its still jiggly it needs more time. The Traeger Flatrock takes the idea of a flat top grill and adds some really interesting features like the fuel sensor, U-shaped burners, insulated walls dividing the cooking surface into three distinct zones, the grease bucket, and the Pop-and-Lock system. Place the chicken breasts in the smoker or pellet grill. 2 tsp. If you make end up making thissmoked chicken recipe,then dont forget torate the recipeand let me know how it went in the comments below! My family has always been a big fan of smoked chicken breasts. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'meatsmokinghq_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_14',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-meatsmokinghq_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); For poultry, Aaron uses Mortons kosher salt and a cafe grind 16-mesh black pepper. Tender, satisfying and incredibly versatile, chicken meat is a worldwide favorite. Remove and wrap the breasts in foil. You can either make your own barbecue rub, or you can buy a store-bought rub. The easiest way to cook this split chicken breast is on a Pit Boss, Traeger or other style pellet grill. I test my recipes over and over again and have taste testers who are gluten free and those who arent, because I want to make sure my recipes taste good for EVERYONE. Place the chicken on a cutting board and remove any excess liquid with a paper towel. Squeeze 2 - 3 tbsp of Traeger Flatrock Conditioning Oil or vegetable oil onto the hot flat top surface. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Enjoy! Mexican seasoned chicken breast smoked to perfection and finished with a sweet and spicy hot sauce glaze. Cover and rest at room temperature. Turn on the Traeger grill or pellet smoker youre using, to preheat for 15 minutes at 250F OR 375F. * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Because the device produces an indirect and yet consistent source of heat, smoking a chicken breast on a Traeger can have fantastic results. Bitter smoked meat is usually only a concern with long cooks. Make sure the chicken breasts are covered by the brine. I apologize for that! Cajun Spatchcock Chicken Teriyaki Smoked Drumsticks Hickory New York Strip Roast Texas-Style Brisket Alder Wood-Smoked Trout St. Louis-Style Baby Back Ribs . On the stove, dissolve 1/2 cup of kosher salt and 1/2 cup of sugar in water. Yes, it is important to let the chicken rest before you serve it. Use your thermometer to make sure this is the case. Try to remove as much moisture as possible in order for the rub to stick to the chicken properly. This recipe is amazing. Combine all the ingredients in a large container. Serve it with rice or low carb cilantro lime cauliflower rice, refried beans or healthier refried black beans, Mexican potatoes, on a torta, or in a Mexican chicken salad. Since breasts are so tricky, I turned to the barbecue gurus to find out the best approach. When ready to cook, set the Traeger temperature to 500F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. I consider it a privilege to share it with others! Read recipe notes submitted by our community or add your own notes. This stops the chicken from drying out and allows some extra smoke to stick to the exterior. I like to slice the chicken breasts before storing for easier reheating, but you can store whole chicken breasts and slice later. To reheat, you can pop your chicken in a low oven (maybe 250F) on a sheet pan in an even layer for about 5 minutes until heated through. 1. pour the 1.5 gallons of water into a large container.2. Then, add half a cup of table salt and half a cup of white sugar. I always stick with 225 degrees F anything higher than this is going to compromise the texture of the meat. I would recommend marinating the chicken vs. a brine and then smoke. Let rest for 5 minutes. Heat a smoker on smoke (on traeger use the super smoke) with the lid opened for 5 minutes. Ideally, it should be at least 165F. Once the smoker has come up to the desired temperature, place the chicken in and close the lid. The recipes says to set the temperature to 350 degrees. 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. Thanks for taking time to leave us a comment! Second, to the other reviewers points, I will say that I only used 1 tablespoon of salt in fear of over-salting and that was enough. Log In to your account to view and add notes to this recipe.Don't have an account? Mix well using a large spoon. Grab that instant read thermometer and check the temp be sure to take them off at 155-160 degrees and let them rest for 5 minutes. Hickory by itself may be a little strong for chicken so use with caution. This whole chicken is brined, seasoned with our chicken rub, lemon, garlic, and fresh thyme, and mesquite-smoked for some smokin' flavor. Seems like the brining has kept me from having dry white meat for years so I do it for all my Traeger recipes now, too. Then let them rest for 15 minutes or up to a half hour in the refrigerator. Make sure that both the sugar and the salt dissolve completely in the water. Boneless chicken breast, in particular, is loved by people of all ages, everywhere. 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? That quickly, your rub is ready to be used. If you notice your chicken breasts are smaller, theyll cook a bit faster. This way, the tissues break down and dissolve, holding onto liquid during the smoking process. Traeger Pro 22 Are The Gen 1 Models Still Worth It? Touch your pointer finger and thumb together and the palm of your hand will tell you how a cooked chicken breast should feel. If you can, leave the chicken brining overnight so it can absorb as much flavor and moisture as possible. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This smoke ring makes the chicken appear underdonebut this is a normal occurrence. You wont need to marinate or anything like that. If you can, leave the chicken brining overnight so it can absorb as much flavor and moisture as possible. And naturally, you could make smoked chicken tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Close the lid and set the temperature to 250F. Yes, you can freeze smoked chicken. The key to this smoked Traeger chicken breast recipe is to choose the right wood pellets for the job. Add seasoned whole bird to the smoker and smoke Traeger whole chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Let them sit overnight and the skin should dry out nicely. But most of all, they love the memories made, shared and treasured and its all thanks to a meal shared together with loved ones. This low and slow method allows the chicken to pick up more smoke flavor. Wrapping your brisket in paper will give you a nice brisket bark. The smoke ring occurs when the smoke reacts to the fat on the surface of the meat. . 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). Cherry, apple, hickory or pecan wood pellets. I use a $30 instant-read, which is just as good as the $100 thermometers. Great recipe! Then take a mallet and give the breast a bash to flatten it out some more. When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 225 and preheat, lid closed for 15 minutes. For a BBQ seasoning, check out my BBQ slow cooker chicken thighs or BBQ smoked chicken thighs. 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. I love this little trick my mom taught me years ago. Before you scroll through, there is important information throughout this post. Unlike the thighs and legs, breasts dry out easily because they are lean with very little fat or blood vessels. First, pour two quarts of cold water in a bowl or large container. Sprinkle a liberal amount of spice rub onto each chicken breast on both sides. Depends on how you want to serve it, but we typically dice any leftover chicken. Mix well using a large spoon. For instance, if you like a smokier flavor, then you can add in some smoked paprika. Stuff the cavity with the lemon, onion, whole garlic cloves, and thyme. Remove the chicken from the grill and let rest for 15 minutes before carving. You brine chicken breast so that it doesnt dry out when its cooking. If you use a charcoal grill, light the coals, when the coals are ready, place them on one side of the grill. Close the lid and leave everything be for 45 minutes. Thank you so much for the feedback and Im so glad you enjoyed the chicken! If the grill isnt ready yet, however, put them back in the refrigerator until it is. Additionally, you may add a quarter of a cup of soy sauce and a bit of lemon juice. Tune in and listen to the newly launched Grill Like a Mother podcast from Hot Pan Kitchen author Taryn Solie. Brush sauce over all sides of chicken. Preheat the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Next, remove the chicken quarters from the package and pat them dry with a paper towel. Shop Ingredients Prep Time 10 Minutes Cook Time 3 Hours Pellets Mesquite Ingredients Then, you will be able to take out each Traeger smoked chicken breast at the same time, preventing any hassle while you are cooking chicken in the smoker. The finished internal temperature will rise to 160 in the breast as the chicken rests. What is more, it has a slightly charcoal-like flavor that simply pops in your mouth. Depending on your Traeger grill model, you will either have to preheat the grill with the lid closed or open. Either buying blended pellets or mixing flavors is always a safe choice. If I prepared this a day ahead of time, how would you recommend reheating to avoid drying out? It is great on its own, but we also love it in our Smoked Chicken Kale Salad! It can be frozen or refrigerated for future use. I will definitely be using this recipe more often! At this point, you are ready to apply the rub to the boneless chicken breasts. Want a more earthy taste? Close the lid and smoke for approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Smoking it using Traeger grill is not the most popular to cook a boneless chicken breast. Smoked Chicken Done Temp Safe Internal Temperatures, Did you know theres now a meat thermometer with no wires that can control with your phone? While the grill preheats, remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry. My favorite pre-made rubs are Killer Hogs or World BBQ Champion Harry Soos Slap Yo Daddy rub. If youre after a faster cook, my Traeger grilled chicken breast recipe calls for 25-30 minutes at 500F. Mastering the Art of Smoking Chicken. Ive written condensed directions here including pictures so you can see how to make this recipe. Were you using the Traeger in cooler weather? Follow me on Pinterest to see all of my recipes organized in one place with photos! Place the chicken spiced side down and then liberally coat the underside with the rest if the smoked chicken rub. If you have a Traeger then you know what a great BBQ tool it is. Instead, wait for a good five to ten minutes. If you cook the breast too high for too long, they will dry out. Rub your chicken breasts with minced garlic. Thats why you should never just eyeball chicken, or cook to a specific time. I dont think yall get the purpose of the smoke setting on a Traeger because many of your recipes have you heating the grill on smoke but then not having any food on there until you crank the setting up to 350, but by that time the super smoke is gone. It is so quick and easy! Getting this balance right is the reason chicken breasts are challenging. To prevent this from happening, I like to dry brine each chicken breast. First pat dry with a paper towel to remove any excess chicken juice. Ingredients Boneless skinless chicken breasts 1/4 cup Everything Rub Instructions Season chicken breasts to your liking. No waking up at 2am to start the smoker with this one! We just purchased a Traeger so we are searching for easy first timer recipes. Make the brine by combining the apple juice, water, and kosher salt. Ingredients 3 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast For the Marinade (or use your favorite) bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts this holds in all the flavor and moisture so you dont have dried out chicken! We Answer 33 FAQs About The Pitmaster Meat Smoking HQ, How Does Aaron Franklin Trim Brisket? There are dozens of chicken brine recipes you can find online, but I like to keep it simple. Additionally, this manner of grilling the chicken will cook it through very consistently, resulting in a perfect looking (and tasting) dish. Ingredients 6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 8 oz each - 3 lbs total) 1 Tbsp (16g) Olive Oil 1 Tbsp Chili Powder If you are cooking smaller chicken breasts you can choose to go a bit lower than this. 2019 GRILL MASTER UNIVERSITY. Try to remove as much moisture as possible in order for the rub to stick to the chicken properly. First, the chicken was phenomenal. Side note: You can make my smoked charro beans right alongside the chicken at 225F. Hi David! Turn the heat to 350 degrees and close the lid for 15 minutes while it warms up. Rub thoroughly and vigorously until all the pieces are completely covered in the rub. The good news is that even at a lower temperature, your chicken breasts will still cook rather quickly. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 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