By Becky Hardin
Published Jun 3, 2024
Summer is here and my mouth is watering at the thought of it being time to make this easy Smoked Chicken for my family. This recipe is so easy to make with just a few ingredients and minimal prep time. I simply season boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cook them in a smoker, and slather them with barbecue sauce to serve. Once you learn how to smoke chicken breasts, you’ll really be grillin’!
- Pin this recipe for later!
When I first started cooking, I never imagined I’d be behind the grill one day, let alone a smoker–leave that for the pros! But this super easy recipe is proof that smoking BBQ chicken on the grill is something anyone can do, and it doesn’t take nearly as long as I originally imagined. You’re just a handful of ingredients and about an hour away from tender, juicy smoked chicken breasts!
Ingredients for Smoking Chicken Breasts
Chicken: This smoker recipe was designed for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but they will take a bit longer to cook.
Spices : Kosher salt, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder add a savory and smoky flavor to the meat.
Oil: Olive oil helps the spices adhere to the chicken, and prevents the chicken from sticking to the grill.
BBQ Sauce : Choose your favorite barbecue sauce for serving!
Tips for Success
- I use a simple smoker box to place on my grill for recipes like this. Smoker boxes are relatively small and pretty affordable, and they’re really easy to use!
- Be sure to fully dry the chicken breasts before cooking–any extra moisture will prevent the spices from sticking and may interfere with the smoking process.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Time is not as accurate of an indicator as the temperature! I usually take my chicken off the smoker at about 162°F and let it raise to 165°F while it rests.
- Some others seasonings I love for this recipe are five spice, chili seasoning , Creole seasoning , adobo, or taco seasoning .
The best Smoker Box!
This recipe works best when using a smoker box. Luckily they’re only $12 and can be delivered super quick. You’ll use it time and time again. 🙌🏻
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover smoked chicken breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the grill, or in a 300°F oven, for 8-10 minutes, until 165°F internally.
Or freeze it in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Since I’ve already got the barbecue sauce out, I like to serve these smoked chicken breasts with BBQ baked beans and other classic BBQ sides , like creamy coleslaw , cornbread , and mashed potatoes . And keep that smoky flavor going with some smoked mac and cheese –trust me, it’s so yummy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ▢ 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ▢ 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢ 1 cup BBQ sauce for serving
Video
Instructions
- Soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat (350-375°F).
- Fill the smoker box with wood chips. Place the smoker box on the grill.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Combine the salt, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a small dish. Rub the oil and spices over the chicken pieces coating them completely. 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Turn the heat down to low between 225-250°F.
- Smoke the chicken over indirect heat by turning off half of the burners on the grill and placing the chicken over the unlit burners.
- Smoke for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Brush the BBQ sauce over the chicken if desired. 1 cup BBQ sauce
Equipment
- Smoker Box (click for our fave)
- Wood Chips
Becky’s Tips
- If you scale this recipe up or down, keep in mind that on average, at 225°F, it takes about 1½-2 hours per pound. At 250°F, it takes about 30-45 minutes per pound.
- Hickory, oak, cherry, or applewood are all good choices for your wood chips.
- Do not wrap the chicken in foil while smoking; this will prevent the smoke from penetrating the meat.
- Remove the chicken from the smoker as soon as it reaches 165°F internally.
- Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing to lock in the juices.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Smoke Chicken Breast Step by Step
Prep Your Grill/Smoker: Soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking, and preheat the grill to medium heat (350-375°F). Then fill the smoker box with wood chips and place the smoker box on the grill.
Season the Chicken: Pat 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Combine 1½ teaspoons of kosher salt, 1½ teaspoons of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder in a small dish. Rub 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the spices over the chicken pieces, coating them completely.
Smoke the Chicken: Turn the heat down to low between 225-250°F. Smoke the chicken over indirect heat by turning off half of the burners on the grill and placing the chicken over the unlit burners for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Brush 1 cup of BBQ sauce over the chicken if desired.
That depends on the size of the breasts. On average, at 225°F, it takes about 1½-2 hours per pound. At 250°F, it takes about 30-45 minutes per pound.
We like hickory, oak, cherry, or applewood. All have a great flavor that compliments chicken.
No! Wrapping the chicken in foil will prevent the smoke flavor from entering the meat.
Smoking the meat at a low temperature (as close to 225°F as possible, but no higher than 250°F) helps lock in moisture. We also recommend checking the internal temperature of the meat often with a thermometer and removing the meat as soon as it reaches 165°F.
There’s no need to flip chicken while smoking. However, you can flip them once if you’d like to get grill lines on both sides.
If your chicken breasts are rubbery, it is likely that they are overcooked. Make sure to test the chicken early and often with a thermometer and remove it as soon as it reaches 165°F.
More Chicken Breast Recipes We Love
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Pan Seared Chicken Breast
- Crockpot Chicken Breast
- Oven Fried Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Seasoned Chicken Breast
- Poached Chicken Breast
Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe
Equipment
- Smoker Box (click for our fave)
- Wood Chips
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup BBQ sauce for serving
Instructions
- Soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes prior to cooking.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat (350-375°F).
- Fill the smoker box with wood chips. Place the smoker box on the grill.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Combine the salt, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a small dish. Rub the oil and spices over the chicken pieces coating them completely. 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Turn the heat down to low between 225-250°F.
- Smoke the chicken over indirect heat by turning off half of the burners on the grill and placing the chicken over the unlit burners.
- Smoke for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Brush the BBQ sauce over the chicken if desired. 1 cup BBQ sauce
Video
Notes
- If you scale this recipe up or down, keep in mind that on average, at 225°F, it takes about 1½-2 hours per pound. At 250°F, it takes about 30-45 minutes per pound.
- Hickory, oak, cherry, or applewood are all good choices for your wood chips.
- Do not wrap the chicken in foil while smoking; this will prevent the smoke from penetrating the meat.
- Remove the chicken from the smoker as soon as it reaches 165°F internally.
- Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes before slicing to lock in the juices.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
