I love this juicy, tender, and smoked chicken breast. It’s always the star of the table, whether for a quick weeknight dinner or a laid-back weekend BBQ.
The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make with just a few ingredients and the smoker. Simply season the chicken breasts, let them absorb all that smokey goodness, and enjoy a mouthwatering meal in under two hours!
Best Smoked Chicken Breast
I’ve always looking for something juicy and smoky dishes without too much hassle to feed my family, and this smoked chicken breast checks all the boxes. The best part is how easy it is to get that rich, deep flavor with just a few seasonings and some time in the smoker.
However, the real challenge with chicken breast is keeping it juicy and tender. After a ton of testing, I’ve figured out three simple tips to get it just right:
- Marinate for at least 3 hours before smoking.
- Cook the chicken breast to an internal temperature of 156℉/69℃, checking with a wireless meat thermometer.
- Let it rest for at least 5 minutes after smoking to allow the juices to redistribute.
What I love about smoking chicken is how versatile it is. You can enjoy it fresh off the smoker, slice it up for salads, or even make some killer sandwiches or wraps. It’s also perfect for meal prep since it reheats really well without losing any of that juicy goodness. Plus, once you’ve got the chicken in the smoker, you can sit back and relax while the magic happens!
Smoked Chicken Breast Marinade
Preparing a marinade is the best way to infuse chicken breast with flavor. If you’re cooking with thick boneless chicken breasts, trust me—you should definitely do this! Remember to marinate the chicken for at least 3 hours before putting it in the smoker.
Here’s my go-to marinade for smoked chicken breast:
- 6 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp light brown sugar
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
I leave out the salt since the soy sauce already adds a good amount of salty flavor. This marinade strikes the perfect balance between sweet, smoky, and savory, giving your chicken breast a flavorful kick without overwhelming the natural taste of the meat!
The smoked chicken breast is a foolproof recipe, so feel free to try different seasonings, marinades, or rubs, with or without brine. The key is using a reliable meat thermometer and cooking to the perfect temperature. Your chicken will always come out juicy and packed with flavor!
How to Smoke Chicken Breast
Smoking chicken breast doesn’t have to be complicated, and trust me, once you try this method, you’ll be hooked!
- Preheat
Start by preheating the smoker to 225℉ (107℃) using wood or pellets, preferably hickory or apple wood for a sweet, smoky flavor.
- Marinate
In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and a dash of salt and pepper. Add the chicken breasts, stir well, and refrigerate for 3-6 hours to let the flavors sink in.
- Smoke
Insert the Typhur Sync wireless meat probe into the thickest part of the chicken breast. Set the target temperature to 156℉ (69℃) for medium doneness. You can go higher (163℉ for medium well, 172℉ for well done) if you prefer. Transfer the marinated chicken breasts into the smoker, and close the lid securely to let them cook low and slow.
- Rest
The Typhur Sync smart wireless meat thermometer will alert you when the internal temperature reaches 151℉. Remove the chicken from the smoker and let it rest—during this time, the temperature will continue to rise to the target of 156℉ (69℃).
- Serve
Once your chicken hits the perfect temp, slice it up, serve, and enjoy the smoky, juicy flavors!
How Long to Smoke Chicken Breast
First of all, you should know that getting a perfect smoked chicken breast is all about the temperature, not the time. So, make sure your chicken breast is cooked to 156°F (69°C) for medium doneness,163℉ (72°C) for medium well, and 172℉ (78°C) for well done.
To get an accurate reading, using a reliable meat thermometer is the key. For beginners, the Typhur Sync One is the basic wireless meat thermometer that’s 100% wire-free and not only tracks the internal temperature but also predicts the resting time and temperature doneness. It takes the guesswork out of cooking, making sure you get perfectly smoked chicken every time!
More Chicken Breast Recipes
Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe
Video
Equipment
- Smoker
- Tongs
- Mixing Bowl
- Pastry Brush
- Chef Knife
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breast
- 6 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp light brown sugar
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare a smoker with wood or pellets (preferably hickory or apple wood) to 225℉/107℃.
- Prepare a bowl. Add the soy sauce, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt and pepper to the bowl and mix well. Add the chicken breast last, then stir and refrigerate for 3-6 hours.6 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp light brown sugar, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder
- To ensure accuracy, insert the probe into the thickest part of the meat, making sure the safety line is completely immersed.
- Select poultry → chicken → breast in the parameters list. Set the target temperature to 156℉/69℃.
- Transfer the chicken breasts into your preheated smoker, then securely close the lid.
- To begin the process, simply press the start button on your phone.
- Using tongs, carefully remove the chicken breasts and place on a heat resistant surface.
- Carefully remove the probe.
- Slice and Serve!
Nutrition PER SERVING
(Nutrition information is calculated automatically by Spoonacular API and should be considered an estimate.)
