Quick and Easy Smoked Chicken Breasts

Name: Quick and Easy Smoked Chicken Breasts
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 4-6 chicken breasts, (boneless, skinless); 2 Tablespoons olive oil, (optional); 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar, (packed); 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika; 1 Tablespoon coarse salt; ½ Tablespoon garlic powder; ½ Tablespoon dried oregano; 1 teaspon onion powder; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon white pepper; ½ teaspoon cajun seasoning

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Juicy and flavorful, this smoked chicken breast is quick and easy to make! Using a simple chicken dry rub that enhances the smoky flavor, this one will become your "go-to" favorite recipe. It's perfect for a family dinner or any backyard BBQ!

Sliced pieces of chicken breasts on a platter, fork on table.

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✔️ Quick Recipe Overview
ℹ️ Why This Recipe Works
Types of Smokers
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
⏲️ Low and Slow
👩‍🍳 How To Prepare A Smoker
🔪 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
🙋🏼 Recipe FAQs
💭 Expert Tips
🥘 Smoker Side Dishes
Quick and Easy Smoked Chicken Breasts

✔️ Quick Recipe Overview

Why This Is The Best Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe: It wins the taste test every single time. A foolproof recipe, this one can be eaten on its own, served in a wrap, or in tacos. The options are endless!

How Long It Takes: 2 hours

Equipment You'll Need: smoker, meat thermometer

Hands down, this is the best smoked chicken breast recipe you will ever make. Not only is it easy and quick to make, but it's full of rich flavor and it's incredibly tender and juicy. If you're new to smoking meat, then this is the perfect recipe for you to try. With easy to follow step-by-step instructions and tips on how to smoke chicken the right way, you will be amazed at the results. And so will your tastebuds!

Close up of a smoke chicken breast on a platter.

ℹ️ Why This Recipe Works

1. This is a great beginner recipe that anyone can master. Regardless if you are a seasoned smoker who can perfect a smoked brisket recipe or if you are just starting...this smoked chicken breast is simple to make.

2. It can be made on any type of smoker and only takes 1.5-2 hours to smoke!

3. There is no brining or marinating required. Simply add the chicken rub and let the smoker do all the hard work!

Types of Smokers

Any type of smoker can be used to make this smoker recipe. I've made this smoked chicken breast on the Traeger, in a propane gas smoker, and in a traditional charcoal smoker. Depending on how much effort you want to put into cooking with smoke will depend on the type of smoker you use. In this simple smoked beans recipe, I go into detail about some of the most common types of smokers.

There is right or wrong smoker to use; they all work really well. It comes down to the amount of time you are looking to invest and the level of effort you're willing to put forward. Some smoker recipes, like these juicy smoked leg quarters can be quick and easy. And then there are some, like this flavorful smoked chuck roast, that can take a lot of time and are more entailed. Knowing the ins-and-outs of the different types of smokers will help you narrow it down for the smoker that is right for you.

🛒 Ingredients You'll Need

Chicken breasts, brown sugar, and spices on a counter to make smoked chicken.

Chicken - use boneless and skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
Brown Sugar -use light brown sugar because it adds a hint of sweet undertones.
Spices - smoked paprika and Cajun seasoning contribute to the majority of the amazing flavor. The dried oregano, thyme, onion powder, and garlic powder do a good job to balance the bold flavors of the Cajun and smoked Paprika.
Salt & Pepper - the addition of white pepper combined with the salt and black pepper adds that final touch of flavor you won't find in other rub recipes. It adds a whole new layer of flavor to every bite.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Expert Tip! To add more texture when making homemade dry rubs, use course salt and pepper. Crushed black pepper and sea salt will add a rich flavor to your seasoning!

⏲️ Low and Slow

There is no need to brine the chicken breasts. When you smoke individual pieces of meat on a lower temperature over a longer period of time (aka smoking low and slow), the collagen is able to break down and melt better which allows it to absorb more water. Even though chicken breasts are lean and have minimal fat, there is still a process that occurs where the meat fat melts into the meat fibers, which makes the meat incredibly tender and juicy.

👩‍🍳 How To Prepare A Smoker

Depending on what type of smoker you use will determine how it should be prepared. If using a charcoal or propane gas smoker, prepare the wood chips or chunks and the water pan. If you're using a pellet smoker, ensure the chamber is filled with wood pellets. For this recipe, preheat the smoker to 225°F.

🔪 Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

While the smoker is preheating, prepare the rub. Combine all the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Set aside. Using paper towels, pat dry each piece of chicken to remove any excess moisture.

Expert Tip! The purpose of a dry rub is to help create a crust around the meat. If you want more of a moist surface, baste ½ Tablespoon of olive oil onto each side of the chicken before adding the dry rub.

Chicken dry rub in a bowl, olive oil on table.

Next, generously cover each breast with the dry rub while using a bit of pressure to press the seasoning into the meat. Make sure the whole piece is completely covered.

Seasoned dry rub on 2 chicken breasts on a plate.

When the smoker has preheated, put the chicken breasts directly on the grates. When smoking meat, it is not necessary to flip the meat because it's being cooked with indirect heat. What this means is the food you are cooking is placed in an area heated by a flame, but not directly in contact with it. When smoking meat, you don't have to worry about one side getting hotter than the other.

To monitor the internal temperature, insert a digital meat thermometer at a slight downward angle in the center of the breast. Insert the digital thermometer when you place the chicken on the grill grates and leave the lid closed until the chicken is done.

Digital meat thermometer inserted into a chicken breast on the smoker.

When the internal temperature reaches 165°F, remove the chicken breasts from the smoker and allow them to rest for 3-5 minutes.

Four smoked chicken breasts on a platter, parsley and a knife on table.

Using a sharp knife, slice the smoked chicken breast into strips and serve immediately. Smoking is a delicious and different way to enjoy chicken breasts and everyone will love the hint of smoky flavor!

Sliced chicken breast on a cutting board, fork and knife on board.

🙋🏼 Recipe FAQs

How long does it take to smoke chicken breasts at 225°F?

Because you are smoking individual pieces of chicken, it does not take long to smoke. It takes anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours to smoke depending on the size of the breasts.

How do you keep chicken breasts moist when smoking?

The key to getting moist, tender, and juicy smoked chicken breasts is using a low temperature over a longer period of time. The term "low and slow" is the key to success when smoking meat. Keep the temperature as close to 225°F as possible, ensuring it does not go over 250°F.

What wood chips are best for smoking chicken breasts?

I recommend using a mild flavored wood, such as apple, cherry, or pecan, when smoking chicken. Even when I smoke a whole chicken, I use milder wood to ensure the smoke doesn't overpower the taste of the meat.

Fork inserted in a slice of chicken breast.

💭 Expert Tips

There's no need to bring the chicken to room temperature before smoking. Cold and raw meat will absorb the flavors from the smoke much better than meat that is at room temperature.
When making the dry rub, ensure the brown sugar is fresh. It should not be hard or clumpy.
Large chicken breasts work best when smoking. They tend to be more juicy.
Never rely solely on time for doneness. You'll know the chicken is done when the internal meat thermometer registers 165°F.
It's important to keep the lid closed as much as possible while the chicken is smoking. The goal is to keep as much smoke in for maximum flavor.
This smoked chicken breast recipe goes great on top of this easy romaine salad, in tacos, quesadillas, over this avocado spinach pasta, and over this easy rice pilaf.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
While you can always use the microwave, the best way to reheat leftover smoked chicken breasts is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 225°F and place the leftover chicken in a cast iron skillet or on a sheet pan and warm for about 10 minutes. This will help keep the moisture in the meat.

Platter filled with sliced smoked chicken breast.

🥘 Smoker Side Dishes

I often smoke this chicken when I have a backyard bbq along with smoking chicken wings and making a delicious Juicy Lucy. Since you have the smoker going, why not smoke some side dishes? Here's some of my favorites!

I have a lot of mouth-watering smoker recipes, but if you're looking for even more, make sure you check out my latest published smoker cookbook. You'll find smoking tips, helpful charts, and some of the best recipes you'll ever make in your smoker!