Easy Smoked Chicken Breasts
Would you enjoy cooking a meal outside so you don’t heat up the kitchen? Easy Smoked Chicken Breasts are the answer! Simple to prep and packed with smoky, sweet flavors, these chicken breasts are a winner for any night of the week. Can anyone say “winner winner chicken dinner?!”
Easy Smoked Chicken Breast
This a great meal that's cooked outside and not in your kitchen. Easy smoked chicken breasts are simple to prep and packed with smoky, sweet flavors. They're a winner for any night of the week. Can anyone say "winner winner chicken dinner?!"
Ingredients
- 4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 2 tsp. Salt
- 2 tsp. Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp. Ground Mustard
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. Maple Sugar*
- 1 tsp. Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
- Small Pinch of Cayenne Powder
- Optional: Small pan of water for smoker
Instructions
- At least 2 hours before smoking the chicken, combine all of the seasonings in a bowl and stir together. Then rub down the chicken breasts with the seasoning and spread over each piece evenly. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.
- About 15 minutes before you're ready to smoke the chicken, preheat the smoker to 250 degrees.
- Once the smoker has reached temperature, place the chicken in the smoker and smoke for 45-60 minutes, flipping halfway through. Time will vary depending on thickness of the chicken. Smoke until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees. Once it has reached temperature, pull it off, cover with foil and allow it to sit for an additional 5-10 minutes. The chicken will continue to cook while covered. It will be ready to enjoy once the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Enjoy!
Notes
* Okay to substitute Brown Sugar in place of the Maple Sugar
Why we love smoked chicken breast…
When the weather starts to get nice, the only place I want to be is outside in the sunshine. It is my goal this year to incorporate making more meals outside and not stuck in the kitchen. That means the grill and the smoker are my best friends! Something can be on the grill or the smoker I can be soaking up the sunshine, weeding the garden, or taking a walk with mom.
While the smoker is usually Dad’s domain, I’ve been enjoying trying my hand at it…with his helpful guidance of course. I’ve been having a lot of fun smoking different meats on the smoker and this chicken breast is one that I keep coming back too. It’s easy enough for a weeknight meal yet classy enough for something special for the weekend.
It’s all in the dry rub!
An easy smoked chicken breast deserves a good dry rub, a rub that leaves the outside crust salty and caramelized while at the same time sealing in the juices. For this recipe, I like to add on the rub a few hours before cooking to let all the seasonings infuse into the chicken to keep it tender and flavorful.
The flavors that make this chicken outstanding:
- Oregano- a hidden herb gem of flavor.
- Garlic Powder– essential for every recipe.
- Smoked Paprika– such a great seasoning to enhance great smoky flavor!
- Ground Mustard– perfect on chicken!
- Onion Powder– another essential for any recipe.
- Black Pepper- my guys will know if there’s no pepper. Pepper is king around here.
- Pinch of Cayenne– for that subtle hint of spice to balance the sweet and salty.
- And the most important- Maple Sugar for that caramelized, sweet goodness! If you don’t have Maple Sugar, feel free to substitute with Brown Sugar.
And we can’t forget the amazing flavor from the smoker itself. Believe me, once you pull that chicken off the smoker and bring it inside the whole house will smell like smoked chicken. Everyone will be ready to dig in!!
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Step-by-Step Instructions to make Easy Smoked Chicken Breasts
- At least 2 hours before smoking the chicken, combine all seasoning ingredients in a bowl and stir together. Then rub down the chicken breasts with seasoning and be sure to spread the seasoning over the chicken breasts evenly. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.
- About 15 minutes before you’re ready to smoke the chicken, preheat the smoker to 250 degrees.
- Once the smoker has reached temperature, place the chicken in the smoker and smoke for 45-60 minutes, flipping halfway through. Time will vary depending on thickness of the chicken. Smoke until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees. Once it reaches temperature, pull it off, cover with foil and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. The chicken will continue to cook while covered. It will be ready to enjoy once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Enjoy!
Tips for perfect smoked chicken every time…
Easy Smoked Chicken Breasts are quick and easy to prepare. Once ready, simply transfer outside to your smoker and cook to perfection. The key here is low and slow and to let the smoker do the work. Here are some helpful tips to think about before making this recipe:
