By Easy & Juicy BBQ Chicken Recipe
Nothing beats a juicy, smoky, grilled chicken breast hot off the pellet smoker! This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or weekend BBQ feast, and we’ll show you exactly how to make it flavorful and tender every time. In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to prep your chicken for the pellet smoker
- Which seasonings make it mouthwatering
- The best wood pellets to use for amazing flavor
- Step-by-step grilling instructions with timing
- Pro tips for perfectly juicy results
Let’s get started!
Why Make This Grilled Chicken Breast Recipe?
Grilled chicken breast often gets a bad rap for being dry, but not with this pellet smoker method! You’ll love this recipe because:
- Incredible flavor: Using Rock’s Honey Chipotle and Kendrick BBQ All Meat Rub with Rosemary gives a balanced sweet, savory, and herb-kissed bite.
- Juicy results: The pellet smoker maintains steady heat and infuses delicious smoke without drying the meat out.
- Quick & easy: Perfect for busy nights but impressive enough for cookouts.
Ingredients for Grilled Chicken Breast
Meat
- 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz each)
Rubs & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Rock’s Honey Chipotle
- 2 tablespoons Kendrick BBQ All Meat Rub with Rosemary
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Best Wood Pellets or Chunks to Use
- Hickory pellets for a bold, classic BBQ flavor
- Applewood pellets for a sweet, mellow smoke
- Cherry wood pellets for a slightly fruity, vibrant finish
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep the Chicken – (10 Minutes)
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- As an optional step, lightly coat each breast with olive oil.
- Season generously with Rock’s Honey Chipotle on half the breasts and Kendrick BBQ All Meat Rub with Rosemary on the others.
Preheat the Pellet Smoker – (15 Minutes)
- Set your smoker to 375°F.
- Use hickory, apple, or cherry pellets for best flavor, but in this recipe I am using Traeger Signature series.
- Allow the smoker to fully preheat before placing the chicken.
Grill the Chicken – (20–25 Minutes)
- Place chicken breasts directly on the grill grates.
- Close the lid and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- As an optional step, flip the chicken breasts and cook for another 10–15 minutes.
- Check internal temperature — remove when it hits 160°F, it will continue to rise slightly while resting.
Rest and Serve – (5 Minutes)
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice into strips or cut into chunks to serve.
Key Steps Summary
- Dry, oil, and season the chicken breasts.
- Preheat the pellet smoker to 375°F.
- Grill chicken breasts flipping halfway through if desired.
- Cook to an internal temp of 160°F.
- Rest before slicing and serving.
Pro Tips for Perfect Grilled Chicken Breast
- Use a meat thermometer: Always go by internal temp, not time!
- Season differently: Layering Rock’s and Kendrick’s rubs gives everyone a flavor option.
- Rest before slicing: Lock those juices in by letting it sit a few minutes after grilling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I cook chicken at 375º?
A: It takes about 30-45 minutes, but go by internal temperature of 160-165º.
Q: Should I brine the chicken breasts first?
A: You can, but it’s not necessary for this recipe thanks to the high-heat fast cooking method that keeps them juicy.
Q: Can I cook this at a lower temperature for more smoke?
A: Yes, but you’ll want to smoke at 225°F first until the chicken hits about 140°F, then crank to 375°F to finish.
Q: How do I keep the chicken from drying out?
A: Don’t overcook it! Pull the chicken at 160°F, but no higher than 165ºF and let it rest.
Q: Can I use bone-in chicken breasts?
A: You can, but they’ll take longer to cook. Expect around 35–40 minutes at 375°F.
Q: What if I don’t have those specific rubs?
A: You can substitute your favorite BBQ rubs, but combining a sweet and a herby rub really elevates the flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for juicy, flavorful chicken that’s easy enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for company, you’ve got to give this Grilled Chicken Breast on the Pellet Smoker a try. It’s one of those simple recipes that’ll quickly become a regular in your rotation.
Ready to try it? Fire up that smoker and let’s make some magic!
Want to try more recipes?
Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast on a Pellet Smoker | Easy Backyard BBQ Recipe
Equipment
- 1 RoseWood Block & Co RWB American Flag XL cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 2 tbsp Kendrick BBQ All Meat Rub with Rosemary
- 2 tbsp Rock's Honey Chipotle
Video
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- As an optional step, lightly coat each breast with olive oil.
- Finish off by seasoning generously with Rock’s Honey Chipotle on half the chicken breasts and Kendrick BBQ All Meat Rub with Rosemary on the others.
Preheat the Pellet Smoker
- Set your smoker to 375°F.
- Use hickory, apple, or cherry pellets for best flavor, but for this recipe I am using Traeger Signature Series pellets.
- Allow the smoker to fully preheat before placing the chicken directly on the rack and closing the lid.
Grill the Chicken
- With the lid closed, cook for 10-15 minutes and flip the chicken breasts if desired.
- If flipped allow them to go for another 10–15 minutes then check internal temperature. Go until you hit 160-165º then remove as it will continue to rise slightly while resting.
Rest and Serve
- Let the chicken breast rest for about 5 minutes, then cut into strips or chunks to serve.