Traeger Smoked Chicken Breasts

Traeger Smoked Chicken Breasts get infused with wood-fired aromas, making them juicy and tender with smoky flavor. Your Traeger or grill does the heavy lifting, delivering restaurant-quality chicken.

Why You'll Love This Traeger Smoked Chicken Breasts Recipe

This simple yet grilled chicken recipe only requires a few minutes of prep time, but the results are impressive. Smoky aromas wafting through the house, these Traeger smoked chicken breasts make a quick weeknight meal.

• Moist, Juicy Chicken: The chicken is cooked slowly on the Traeger grill, which allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in moist, flavorful chicken.
• Simple Marinade: The simple marinade is made with just a few ingredients, but it packs a big flavor punch. The combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika gives the chicken a delicious smoky flavor.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is incredibly easy to make, even for beginner cooks. Simply preheat your Traeger grill, marinate the chicken breasts, and smoke them for 2-3 hours.

Ingredients Overview

You'll need some thawed chicken breasts, herbs and spices most likely already in your pantry, some olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar for the marinade.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Traeger Smoked Chicken Breasts

Traeger grills make it easier than ever for amateur chefs to create smoky layered flavors in everyday grilled meats. Follow along with these easy directions for perfectly grilled chicken breasts.

Step 1: Place all ingredients except the chicken breasts into a gallon sized Ziploc bag. Seal and shake to combine.

Step 2: Open the Ziploc bag and add the four boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Reseal the bag and set in a bowl in the refrigerator for 4 hours, or overnight.

Step 3: Prepare the grill for medium high heat about 30 minutes before the marinating is complete. Be sure to oil the grill grates so the chicken doesn't stick.

Step 5: Place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill and cook, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping once, or until the thickest part of the chicken breasts reach 165℉ with an instant read thermometer probe.

Transfer to a serving platter and let rest 5 minutes to let juices redistribute. Rest for a few minutes to let the juices redistribute, then serve and enjoy!

Serving Traeger Smoked Chicken Breasts

Pair these smoked chicken breasts with any BBQ sauce for a classic combo, or with a creamy avocado-lime salsa for a zesty twist. They're also great in chicken sandwiches, wraps, or for our Chicken Strawberry Spinach Salad. Add slices to your sandwiches like our Chipotle Chicken Avocado Panini or a Watermelon Fruit Salad.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few substitutions and variations using this recipe:

• If you don't have a Traeger grill, you can cook the chicken breasts in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• You can also use a different type of dry rub seasoning, or even a marinade.
• If you want to add more flavor, you can brush the chicken breasts with barbecue sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Tips for Success

Here are a few tips for making this recipe:

• Pat Them Dry: Before applying any rub, thoroughly pat your chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a better bark and allows the smoke to adhere more effectively.
• Don't Overcrowd the Grill: Give the chicken breasts enough space on the grill grates. Good airflow ensures even cooking and consistent smoke penetration.
• Use a Leave-In Thermometer: To ensure perfectly cooked chicken and avoid dry breasts, use a leave-in meat thermometer. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
• Consider a Brine: For extra juicy and tender results, consider brining your chicken breasts for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) before smoking.
• Rest is Best: After removing the chicken from the grill, let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and moist piece of chicken.

Storage Options

Some recommended storage options for this recipe are:

• Refrigeration: Store cooked chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freezing: For longer storage, slice or dice the cooked chicken and store it in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: To reheat, place chicken in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of chicken broth or water, cover, and microwave until warm. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C), covered, until heated through to prevent drying.

Related Recipes

• Traeger Corn on The Cob
• Traeger Grilled Vegetables
• Smoked Baked Beans
• Smoked Jalapeno Poppers (Texas Twinkies)
• Pesto Pasta Salad

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