Smoked Chicken Breasts (to Use for Other Recipes)
Smoked chicken breasts are fantastic for meal prepping any recipe that calls for shredded chicken! With very few ingredients and the smoky flavor of your pellet grill, you can have the best smoked chicken to add to your soups, casserole, tacos, and more!
Servings: 4 breasts
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in split chicken breasts with skin on
- kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat the pellet grill or smoker to 275℉ with your choice of wood pellets.
- If needed, reposition the skin of the chicken breasts so that it is covering the meat before seasoning. This helps to protect the meat and keeps your chicken juicy. Then sprinkle the breasts with kosher salt.
- Place the salted chicken breasts directly on the grill grates of the heated pellet grill or smoker, arranging them so that there is space between each for even cooking. Close the grill lid.
- Smoke the chicken until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breasts reaches 160-162°F, about 90 minutes depending on the size of your breasts. This allows for carryover cooking and ensures that your chicken won’t be dry. Keep in mind that some of the chicken breasts may finish quicker depending on size. *The USDA recommends cooking chicken to an internal temp of 165℉.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate or baking sheet to rest for about 5-10 minutes. Then plastic wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator overnight to be used the next day for other recipes.
Notes
- Recipes that call for cooked chicken - We use this smoked chicken breast recipe to meal prep the best chicken to use for other recipes that call for cooked chicken or to use for quick lunches - like buffalo chicken bowls or chicken salad. That's why we keep the seasoning very simple with salt only.
- Seasoning variations - If you want to enjoy the smoked chicken breasts as is, instead of shredding or dicing the meat to use for other recipes, then feel free to add your favorite seasonings. The cooking process remains the same.