Best 6 Smoked Chicken Breasts Recipes

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Smoked chicken breasts are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you're looking for a simple weeknight meal or a show-stopping dish for a special occasion, there's a smoked chicken breast recipe out there to suit your needs. In this article, we'll walk you through the steps of making perfect smoked chicken breasts, from choosing the right cut of chicken to selecting the best wood chips. We'll also provide a range of recipes, from classic barbecue chicken to more adventurous dishes like smoked chicken tacos and smoked chicken salad. So grab your smoker and get ready to cook up some amazing smoked chicken breasts!

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

SMOKED CHICKEN BREASTS



Smoked Chicken Breasts image

This is a delicious and different way to enjoy chicken breasts, with plenty of smoky flavor! Brining the chicken before smoking allows it to stay moist and flavorful. They are a great addition to a salad, on a sandwich, or just by themselves!

Provided by Kim

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes

Time 8h5m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cups water
¼ cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
4 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts
maple wood chips
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon brown sugar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder

Steps:

  • Combine water, kosher salt, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a large bowl. Stir until salt and brown sugar are dissolved. Place chicken breasts into brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat an electric smoker according to manufacturer's directions to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C) using maple wood chips.
  • Remove chicken breasts from brine and rinse under cold water. Pat dry. Combine salt, black pepper, paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. Sprinkle dry rub all over chicken breasts and place skin-side up on a grill rack in the preheated smoker. Place a drip pan underneath.
  • Smoke chicken breasts in the preheated smoker until chicken is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 4 hours, adding maple wood chips as necessary to keep the smoke continuous. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 728.7 calories, Carbohydrate 14.9 g, Cholesterol 344.8 mg, Fat 14.6 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 126.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 8680.6 mg, Sugar 13.5 g

BACON WRAPPED SMOKED GOUDA STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS



Bacon Wrapped Smoked Gouda Stuffed Chicken Breasts image

I found this recipe on another site when I was looking to use up some leftover smoked gouda. It's very flavorful, easy enough for weekenights yet perfect for a dinner party too.

Provided by sugaree

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 boneless chicken breasts
4 slices bacon
3 -4 ounces smoked gouda cheese
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Combine, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika and pepper.
  • Flatten chicken breasts to approx 1/4" thickness.
  • Season both sides of chicken with the cayenne mixture.
  • Place small piece (s) of cheese on chicken and roll up, pressing firmly.
  • Wrap each stuffed breast with a bacon slice and then brown over medium heat until bacon just begins to crisp.
  • Bake in a 350 oven for 20 minutes.

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH BLACK BEANS AND SMOKED BACON STEW



Chicken Breasts With Black Beans and Smoked Bacon Stew image

Provided by Marian Burros

Categories     dinner, lunch, one pot, soups and stews, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 large chicken breasts with bone, skinless
6 cups water
2 large carrots, trimmed and peeled
4 large plum tomatoes, washed and trimmed
1/2 large white onion, cut in half
4 or 5 cloves garlic
1 ounce smoked bacon, diced
2 16-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
Pinch freshly ground black pepper
Red chili flakes for garnish
4 tablespoons grated dry aged cheese like Cheddar or a dry goat

Steps:

  • Put chicken breasts in water in covered pot, bring to boil and simmer about 20 minutes, until done. Remove from broth and set aside. Reserve broth.
  • Slice carrots, tomatoes and onion in a food processor with steel blade.
  • Mince garlic in processor to make 1 tablespoon.
  • Add the carrots, tomatoes, onion, garlic, bacon and beans to 4 cups of the reserved broth; bring to boil. Reserve remaining broth for another occasion. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 20 minutes, to blend flavors.
  • Meanwhile remove chicken from bones.
  • When soup is ready, add oregano leaves, pepper and chicken and cook just long enough to heat chicken.
  • Spoon stew into bowls; garnish with hot chili flakes and cheese.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 531, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 48 grams, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 19 grams, Protein 43 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 572 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams

SMOKED BUTTERMILK HERB CHICKEN BREASTS



Smoked Buttermilk Herb Chicken Breasts image

We use a Smokenator and Mesquite chips to smoke these boneless skinless breasts. The buttermilk marinade keeps them super moist and juicy without having do an entire chicken or even bone-in skin-on breasts. I am sure it would work just as well with either, though smoking times would definitely have to be increased. The chicken breasts that I have used were huge, so if yours are not as thick, check them sooner. You can also change up the herbs to your liking. Marinating time is not included in the prep time.

Provided by under12parsecs

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 2h10m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups buttermilk
1/4 red onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon of fresh mint
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
2 tablespoons fresh chives
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons sugar
3 large chicken breasts

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients except for the chicken in a blender. Pulse until smooth. Pour over chicken and let marinate in a non-reactive covered dish or plastic zip top bag for 4-24 hours. The longer the brining time, the more flavor they will pick up.
  • Remove chicken from the brine and pat dry on paper towels, otherwise the chicken may be too salty.
  • Place breasts on the rack of a Weber grill fitted with the Smokenator 1000 filled to manufacturers directions with water/charcoal/wood chips once the temperature of the grill lid is stabilized around 215-230 degrees. Smoke for about 1 1/2-2 hours, being sure to keep the temperature steady and adding charocoal/wood chips as needed to keep a steady amount of smoke.
  • Allow the breasts to rest for 5 minutes, then slice and enjoy!

CINNAMON-CURED SMOKED CHICKEN BREASTS WIH CHERRY BARBECUE SAUCE



Cinnamon-Cured Smoked Chicken Breasts Wih Cherry Barbecue Sauce image

Categories     Chicken     Fourth of July     Cherry     Summer     Grill/Barbecue     Cinnamon     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 cups water
1/4 cup coarse salt
1/4 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves (1 1/2 pounds total)
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 thin lemon slices
2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
2 cups wood chips (preferably cherry or apple), soaked 1 hour in water to cover, drained
Cherry Barbecue Sauce

Steps:

  • Whisk 4 cups water, coarse salt, and sugar in large bowl until sugar dissolves. Add chicken breasts, sliced onion, lemon slices, and broken cinnamon sticks. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.
  • Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Place wood chips in 8x6-inch foil packet left open at top; set packet atop coals 5 minutes before grilling chicken. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Grill chicken until just cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to platter. Serve, passing Cherry Barbecue Sauce separately.

MAPLE SMOKED CHICKEN BREASTS



Maple Smoked Chicken Breasts image

I brined the Chicken in a Maple seasoned brine. I rubbed the chicken with a Maple seasoning, I basted it with a Honey Maple BBQ Sauce while smoking it with Maple Wood Chunks. Can you say MAPLE anyone!!

Provided by Lynn Socko

Categories     Chicken

Time 2h30m

Number Of Ingredients 5

8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
8 c water
2 Tbsp coarse sea salt
6 Tbsp mccormicks smokehouse maple seasoning
honey maple bbq sauce-see link below

Steps:

  • 1. These chicken breasts were quite large so I only put 4 in each gallon ziploc bag. To each bag I added 3 tbs of Maple seasoning and 1 tbs of sea salt and 4 c of water (or enough to cover chicken completely). I let it brine overnight in the fridge.
  • 2. The morning of smoking, I drained the water and patted the chicken down with a paper towel. Then I mixed equal parts Maple seasoning to olive oil, mixed it together and rubbed the chicken on both sides. (4 tbs Maple seasoning, 4 tbs olive oil).
  • 3. Then I prepared my smoker with charcoal and Maple wood chunks I had soaked overnight. I basted the chicken as it smoked with my Honey Maple BBQ sauce.
  • 4. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/honey-maple-bbq-sauce.html?p=1
  • 5. I sliced up the leftovers and made BBQ sammies.
  • 6. Here's a good reference for cooking times and temps: http://www.deejayssmokepit.net/Downloads_files/Time-Temperature.pdf

Tips for Cooking Smoked Chicken Breasts:

  • Choose the right chicken breasts: Look for boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are evenly sized for even cooking.
  • Prep the chicken: Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels. You can also brine the chicken breasts in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar for added flavor and moisture.
  • Use a good smoker: Choose a smoker that is large enough to accommodate the chicken breasts without overcrowding. A smoker with good temperature control is also important for even cooking.
  • Season the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with your favorite seasonings. Popular options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder.
  • Smoke the chicken: Smoke the chicken breasts at a low temperature (around 225 degrees Fahrenheit) for 2-3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Let the chicken rest: Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken.

Conclusion:

Smoked chicken breasts are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed on their own or used in a variety of recipes. By following these tips, you can cook perfectly smoked chicken breasts every time. Experiment with different seasonings and smoking woods to create your own unique flavor combinations. Smoked chicken breasts are a great source of protein and a healthy addition to any meal. Enjoy!

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