Description
Juicy Traeger Smoked Chicken Breasts emerge from your grill with a perfectly seasoned, smoky exterior that seals in tender meat. Grab your favorite dry rub and wood pellets for a simple backyard cooking adventure that elevates your chicken game.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Supporting Seasonings and Liquids:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon onion powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk until thoroughly blended.
- Transfer 4 chicken breasts into a large Ziploc bag or casserole dish. Pour the entire marinade mixture over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.
- Seal the container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, let your chicken marinate overnight.
- Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator. Allow it to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes, which helps ensure even cooking.
- Fire up your Traeger pellet grill and set the temperature precisely to 400°F. Give the grill 10-15 minutes to reach the correct heat level.
- Place the chicken breasts directly on the grill grates. Cook for 7-10 minutes per side, rotating once halfway through. Confirm doneness by checking that the internal temperature hits exactly 165°F using a meat thermometer.
- Transfer the grilled chicken from the grill. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute before slicing.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for maximum flavor by letting it sit in the refrigerator overnight, which allows the herbs and acids to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Check the internal temperature with a reliable meat thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked chicken without drying out the meat.
- When grilling, avoid constantly flipping the chicken and instead turn it just once to develop a nice golden exterior and maintain juiciness.
- Select wood pellets like apple or hickory to complement the marinade and add subtle smoky undertones that enhance the chicken’s overall taste.
- Prep Time: 50 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg