Easy pellet grill smoked chicken breast. Prepared with a simple dry rub before cooked low and slow over applewood, this easy pellet grill recipe is perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
This pellet grill chicken breast recipe is proof that barbecue can be quick and easy. No brines, no marinades, and no need to wait all afternoon for them to be done. Just one hour on your pellet grill and they’re ready to plate up.
It’s an easy smoked chicken dinner that shows pellet grill recipes can be simple without being boring. From choosing your wood pellets to making our delicious BBQ dry rub, discover how to smoke chicken breast on a pellet grill today.
Chicken Breast Explained
Chicken breast is the classic white meat that can be used for (almost) anything. Whether it’s a taco filling, curry dishes, or just served as it is, the white meat can be used as a blank canvas on which to infuse your favorite flavors.
Although they can be sold with skin-on and/or bone-in, we prefer them skinless and boneless. This makes them easier and quicker to cook, and gives you more room to be creative. They’ll cook more evenly, and won’t have the bone or skin getting in the way of the smoke.
Trust us—a good chicken breast can be just as juicy and tender as any other chicken cut. Best of all, it’s a cheap cut relative to beef or pork, making this a great jumping-off point for barbecue beginners.
Pellet Grill Chicken Breast
Equipment
- wood pellets
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts skinless and boneless
- 3 tbsp olive oil
BBQ Dry Rub
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Fire up pellet grill to 225°F (107°C)
- Trim excess fat from chicken breasts. Rinse under water and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine the dry rub ingredients. Use a fork to crush or remove any lumps that appear.
- Coat each chicken breast with a thin layer of olive oil. Then, liberally apply dry rub to each breast, covering all sides. Work into any crevices or folds in the meat.
- Once pellet grill is at a stable 225°F (107°C), arrange breasts on grill grates. Close lid and smoke until meat internal temperature hits 160°F (71°C), about 1 hour.
- Remove breasts from pellet grill and tent in foil. Rest for 10 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)
- Serve as whole breasts or sliced
