Using a pellet smoker can be intimidating, and I’ve made it my mission to create recipes that are easy to make, taste delicious, and ones you will go back to over and over. (It’s one of my superpowers as a recipe creator!) This smoked chicken breast recipe will soon be on your regular rotation!

Want to know a secret? Most of the flavor that comes from smoked meats is from…. the smoker. Seems obvious, but sometimes we can get caught up in spice rubs and marinades and overly complicated methods to boost flavor. Let the smoke do the work!

This chicken breast recipe is a perfect example of that. The only thing I put on this chicken is salt, pepper, and a little oil. And the result is a juicy, smoky flavored piece of chicken that will make your eyes roll back into your head.

How to season smoked chicken breasts

Honestly, I didn’t think a spice rub was necessary, but if you have a favorite dry rub you like to use, go for it. Or if you’d like to add a little sweet flavor, try adding some brown sugar to your spice rub

How to Make The Best Smoked Boneless Chicken Breast

For this chicken recipe, I sprinkled them with some black pepper and kosher salt (I like kosher salt better for smoking things. It tastes better. I don’t have a great reason why — it just does.)

Then I drizzle them with oil (olive oil would be OK since the smoker is on a lower heat setting)

Then I smoke them.

That’s it. Literally.

How long to smoke chicken breast

That depends on how much smoke flavor you want.

I like to smoke them on high smoke at 220 degrees. Cook time depends on how thick your chicken pieces are, but it’s usually 60-90 minutes. Obviously large chicken breasts will need longer cooking time.

TIP: When your smoker is on a lower temperature like this, treat it like a slow cooker when you check the temperature of your food. Every time you raise that lid you lose a LOT of heat and it takes a little while for that heat to return. If you’re checking on the meat every 5 minutes, it’ll take a lot of extra time for it to finish. Aim for checking every 15-20 min. It’s even better if you use a temperature probe with a read out on your grill (or phone!) so you don’t have to raise the lid so much.

If you don’t have an electric smoker that offers probes like this, use an instant read thermometer. Shoot for about 160 degrees F. for the internal temperature of the meat.

If you’re in a rush, you can smoke them for 20-30 min at 220 and then crank it up to 400 to finish them off. You don’t get as much smoky flavor that way, but it’ll still be delicious.

After they come off the smoker, let them rest for a few minutes so you don’t lose any of those juices!

What to Serve With Smoked Chicken Breasts

Honestly, if these smoked chicken breasts are fresh off the grill, I don’t try to turn it into anything else. Pairing them with a salad or some grilled/roasted veggies are my favorite way of serving it. You could also brush them with BBQ sauce, too.

Here are a few of my favorite side dishes that would go well with smoked chicken breasts:

Sweet Potato Fries

Santa Fe Grilled Caesar — use smoked chicken in place of the shrimp here

Southwest Cabbage Slaw

Instant Pot Potato Salad

Wild Rice Salad with Cucumber and Pesto

Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice or Lemon Herb Rice

How to Use Smoked Chicken Breast

If you have leftover smoked chicken, that’s a different story, my friend. Smoked chicken is good at room temperature and straight out of the fridge, too.

By the way, smoked chicken makes a FABULOUS meal prep protein! Here are a few ways we’ve used this chicken a few days later:

Smoked Chicken Tacos

Slice them up and stick some chicken in your favorite tortillas with your favorite taco toppings. A favorite combo of ours was cooking the chicken in the tortilla with some pepperjack cheese, then topping it with some cabbage slaw (Like my Southwest Cabbage Slaw) and some guac or Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce. If you haven’t had this stuff — it’s an almond-based dip we found at Costco. And we’re pretty obsessed with it.

Smoked Chicken Sandwich Wraps

Wrap them up in your favorite flatbread with some sandwich toppings! If you’re grain-free, try using my Paleo Zucchini Flatbread for this.

Smoked Chicken Avocado Toast

When I’m needing some extra protein, adding a few thin slices of smoked chicken to my avocado toast is DELICIOUS. Always topped with a sprinkle of Everything Bagel Seasoning.

Smoked Chicken Nachos

Smoked chicken nachos with an assortment of cheese (add some smoked gouda to this!) was a pretty fantastic Sunday lunch.

Leftover Rice Skillet

One of my favorite meals to make with leftovers is to chop up some smoked chicken and any leftover roasted vegetables or some baby spinach and cook it in a skillet with some butter. Then add any leftover rice you have on hand along with some seasoning and some shredded Parmesan cheese. Any seasoning blend that would complement the chicken will do. I like the salt-free all-purpose seasoning at Costco.

Like this recipe? Try some other easy smoker recipes on Perry’s Plate!

Smoked Whole Chicken

Smoked Salmon — use this to make your own Smoked Salmon Board!

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If you make one of my recipes, be sure to post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!

Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe FAQs

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