Smoked chicken breast is a delicious way to add flavor and tenderness to an otherwise bland piece of poultry. Not only is it an economical choice, but its easy-to-make preparation means you can enjoy it any night of the week. But how long to smoke chicken breast? This blog post will delve deeper into this question and explain all the necessary steps involved in successfully smoking a chicken breast! So read on for tips and tricks on how to get juicy, flavorful, smoked chicken that your taste buds won’t soon forget.
Contents
- 1 What Is Smoked Chicken Breast?
- 2 How to smoke chicken breast
- 3 How Long To Smoke Chicken Breasts
- 4 Tips for Making Smoked Chicken Breast
- 5 How do You Know When Smoked Chicken is Fully Cooked
- 6 What temperature to smoke chicken breast?
- 7 What to Serve With Smoker Chicken Breast
- 8 Do You Flip Chicken Breast When Smoking
- 9 Variations on smoked chicken breast
- 10 Conclusion: how long to smoke chicken breast
- 11 FAQs: smoke chicken breast
- 11.1 Does chicken breast need to rest after smoking?
- 11.2 Why is my smoked chicken breast rubbery?
- 11.3 How do you keep chicken breast moist when smoking?
- 11.4 How long does it take to smoke a chicken breast?
- 11.5 How long does it take to smoke chicken breast bone in?
- 11.6 How long does smoked chicken breast last in the fridge?
- 11.7 What temperature do you smoke bone in chicken breast?
- 11.8 Can you smoke boneless skinless chicken breast?
- 11.9 Should you sear chicken breast before smoking?
- 11.10 Does chicken breast need to rest after smoking?
What Is Smoked Chicken Breast?
Smoked chicken breast is a type of poultry that is cooked using indirect heat and smoke in an enclosed barbecue pit or smoker. The low temperatures cook the meat slowly, developing a deep smoky flavor while preserving its moisture. Smoked chicken breasts can be enjoyed as part of a main course, chopped up in salads or sandwiches, or served cold for a great snack.

How to smoke chicken breast
Prepare the brine
Create a savory sweet Brine with just three ingredients- Kosher salt, water and sugar. Combine them in a pot over medium heat until the mixture boils before removing from heat to cool completely for an ideal flavorful blend.
Brine the chicken
For the best smoky flavor, it’s essential to brine your chicken breasts for at least 4 hours. Then pat them dry and prepare as recommended – you’ll be in awe of how juicy and delicious they turn out! When you’re done with this step, let us know what your favorite method is: Does tantalizing smoke or a flavorful blend of seasonings appeal to you more?
Preheat the smoker
For a bold flavor, fire up your smoker and get it to 225 degrees F. Toss on some oak or fruitwood like cherry or apple for an added layer of deliciousness!
Prepare the chicken
Brining your chicken gives it a deliciously savory flavor and juiciness. Once you’ve achieved the perfect brine, pat the chicken dry then give it an extra boost of deliciousness with some homemade seasoning or try Patio Provisions’ all-in-one blend for a tasty shortcut. Don’t forget to drizzle in some olive oil for added moisture!
Get smoking
When your smoker is ready, place the chicken breasts onto the grates and close the lid. Smoke for 75 minutes at 225 F or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 165 degrees F.
Finishing up
Once it’s reached temperature, remove from heat and let rest for 5-10 minutes before carving. Enjoy your perfectly smoked chicken breasts as part of a main course or salad, serve cold for a great snack, or freeze the leftovers in meal-size portions for future dinners.
How Long To Smoke Chicken Breasts
How long to smoke chicken breast? Smoking chicken breasts requires patience and an eye for detail, but with the right techniques and materials, you can enjoy perfectly cooked smoked chicken in as little as 75 minutes. Following our steps outlined above to preheat your smoker, prepare your brine and seasonings, then get smoking – you’ll be able to enjoy more flavorful poultry meals any night of the week. Bon appetit!

Tips for Making Smoked Chicken Breast
Ready to fire up the smoker? Get ready for flavor unlike anything you’ve ever tasted! With just a few tips, anyone can make delicious and succulent smoked chicken breasts. So don your chef’s hat – it’s time to smoke some poultry perfection!

Experiment with seasonings
Transform the classic smoked chicken recipe into something special! Make a signature dry rub with your favorite herbs and spices for an added layer of flavor. Try making a simple marinade from pantry staples, or give it that extra smoky kick by basting the breast in BBQ sauce 10 minutes before taking it off the heat. Get creative and customize this dish to make every bite unique!
Switch up the wood chips
To take your wood pellet smoker to the next level, try different smoking wood chips! Treat yourself with milder tastes of applewood and cherrywood or go bold with the smoky flavors of hickory, pecan, or mesquite. When you understand how each type of woods works in concert with a smoke flavor profile then you can create some delectable dishes for any occasion.
Cook the meat properly
To keep your chicken moist and juicy, closely monitor its progress as it cooks. Remove the protein from the grill just before reaching 165 degrees – that way you won’t overdo it! Even after taking it off heat, let the smoked bird rest to allow temperatures to rise a few extra notches for melt-in-your mouth goodness.
Rest the meat
Take the time to give your chicken a brief respite after its stint in the kitchen; you’ll be rewarded with succulent and delicious meat from letting its juices settle.
Store in an airtight container
Keep your smoked chicken breasts fresher longer by storing them in an airtight container and refrigerating once cooled to room temperature. Don’t let these tasty morsels go bad, enjoy their deliciousness up to 3 days after cooking!
How do You Know When Smoked Chicken is Fully Cooked
The best way to ensure your smoked chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat is to check its internal temperature with a digital thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, making sure you don’t touch any bones. When it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F, it’s all set for serving.
What temperature to smoke chicken breast?
The ideal temperature to smoke chicken breast is 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure your smoker is preheated, and keep an eye on the temperature throughout the cooking process. If it drops lower than 225 F, adjust heat accordingly. Your meat thermometer will come in handy here as well; make sure to insert it into the thickest part of the breast and check the temperature to ensure it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

What to Serve With Smoker Chicken Breast
Smoked chicken breast pairs well with a variety of sides. To keep it simple, make a green salad or roasted veggies to accompany your poultry. For something heartier, try adding grilled cornbread or mashed potatoes to the mix! Other classic choices include macaroni and cheese, cauliflower rice pilafs and kale salads. Be sure to have a few fun options on hand for the perfect dinner.
Do You Flip Chicken Breast When Smoking
Flipping chicken breasts while smoking is not necessary; you can leave them be and let your smoker do its job. The only time it is recommended to flip the poultry is when your smoke temperature drops below 225 degrees F. This helps give an even cook and ensure no hotspots occur in the smoker.
Variations on smoked chicken breast
To switch up your smoked chicken breast, you can try a variety of marinades and spices. A classic combination to start with is garlic, herbs, and olive oil. Additionally, change up the smoke chip flavors and add a bit of honey or maple syrup for an added sweetness. Once the bird is cooked, top it off with some freshly chopped herbs and enjoy an explosion of flavor!

Conclusion: how long to smoke chicken breast
Smoked chicken breast can be a delicious addition to any meal! Just remember the golden rule: keep an eye on the temperature and check with a digital thermometer. With just a few ingredients and some wood chips, you can create restaurant-worthy dishes at home. Have fun experimenting with different marinades, smoke flavors, and side dishes – you never know what flavor combinations you’ll come up with. Bon appetite! Thanks for reading how long to smoke chicken breast?
FAQs: smoke chicken breast
Does chicken breast need to rest after smoking?
Take your chicken from the smoker to the next level by searing it on a gas grill for 1-2 minutes per side. Letting it rest afterwards allows its internal temp to rise, ensuring that juicy perfection you’ve been craving!
Why is my smoked chicken breast rubbery?
To get the perfect chicken dish, make sure your oven is at its pinnacle for flavor – between 275 °F and 320° F (135 °C – 160 °C). At any lower temperature you risk sacrificing crunchy skin as the fat fails to infuse properly. So set your dials high so that juicy succulence awaits!
How do you keep chicken breast moist when smoking?
To achieve flavor-packed, juicy chicken perfection when smoking or grilling, take some time to brine it! Preparing a seasoned solution and soaking your poultry for 3 to 4 hours before cooking will add delicious layers of taste while helping the meat retain its moisture. The result? A mouthwatering masterpiece that’ll make everyone smile with each bite.
How long does it take to smoke a chicken breast?
Prepare your smoker to 225°F and place the chicken breast inside. In approximately one hour, you’ll have succulent poultry ready once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F!
How long does it take to smoke chicken breast bone in?
Tempting your taste buds with an unforgettable smoke-kissed flavor, these succulent chicken breasts will tantalize the senses. Roast them in a preheated smoker for 4 hours, adding maple wood chips periodically to keep that delicious smokiness going throughout cooking. And make sure you’ve got an instant-read thermometer handy – when it reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), they’re good to go!
How long does smoked chicken breast last in the fridge?
Eating smoked chicken is not always a safe option – leaving it at room temperature for too long can result in food poisoning. But with proper care, you can give your meal an extended shelf-life! Storing the bird under refrigeration keeps it edible up to two days while foil wrapping provides protection from bacteria and mold growth so that you enjoy its flavor even after 7 whole days.
What temperature do you smoke bone in chicken breast?
For tender, flavorful poultry perfection! Smoke your chicken for around 45 minutes at 225F or until its inner temperature reaches 150F. Give the breasts a brush of BBQ sauce and keep smoking until it hits that coveted 155 Fahrenheit – with an extra minute to ensure lasting succulence.
Can you smoke boneless skinless chicken breast?
Give your chicken a luxurious treatment with olive oil and an indulgent blend of flavorful spices. Rub the fragrant coating into each breast for an even application, then let them smoke away in the oven at 225°F until they’re perfectly cooked through – no flipping required!
Should you sear chicken breast before smoking?
Transform a boring chicken breast into an succulent and smoky masterpiece with the help of your trusty iron skillet! Start by searing for juicy results, then pop it in the smoker set to 225-250 degrees F. Maintain temperature consistency throughout cooking time for optimal flavor.
Does chicken breast need to rest after smoking?
Take your chicken from the smoker to the next level by searing it on a gas grill for 1-2 minutes per side. Letting it rest afterwards allows its internal temp to rise, ensuring that juicy perfection you’ve been craving!
Chef Angelo Landi has been in the culinary industry for over 20 years, and he has spent the last six of those developing the menu for Coal Vines. His favorite pizza on the menu is the Spicey Meatball, which is made with spicy sausage, pepperoni, and calabrese salami. When he’s not in the kitchen cooking up a storm, Chef Angelo enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.