Grilled chicken is good, and chicken that grilled on a pellet grill is great. With a fast cook time, a delicious smokey flavor, and juicy meat, this pellet grilled chicken is sure to be a family favorite at the cookout every time.
Have you ever struggled with dry, flavorless chicken breasts? You’re definitely not alone! I used to dread cooking chicken breasts because they would often turn out like cardboard But everything changed when I discovered how to properly cook them on my pellet grill
Pellet grills are a game-changer for chicken breasts, combining the convenience of gas grilling with the rich, smoky flavor of wood. Today, I’m gonna share all my tips and tricks for creating perfectly juicy, flavorful chicken breasts that’ll make your family beg for seconds!
Why Choose a Pellet Grill for Chicken Breasts?
Before diving into the cooking process, let’s understand why pellet grills are amazing for chicken breasts:
- Consistent Temperature: Pellet grills maintain steady temps, making it easier to cook chicken evenly
- Wood-Fired Flavor: The wood pellets add a distinctive smoky taste that enhances chicken’s natural flavor
- Versatile Cooking: You can grill, smoke, or even bake chicken on your pellet grill
- Set-and-Forget Convenience: Less babysitting than traditional grills
What You’ll Need
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Your favorite seasonings or rub
- Wood pellets (apple, cherry, hickory, or competition blend work great)
- Meat thermometer
- Tongs
- Aluminum foil
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Pellet Grilled Chicken Breasts
1. Preparing Your Chicken
This first step is super important! The preparation sets the foundation for juicy, flavorful results.
Selecting the Right Chicken Breasts:
- Choose fresh, high-quality chicken breasts
- Look for breasts that are firm, perky, and pale pink without blemishes
- For even cooking, select breasts of similar size and thickness
Marinating or Seasoning Options
There are several ways to flavor your chicken:
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Add garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice to a bowl and mix them together. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
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Basic Seasoning: Drizzle chicken with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and your favorite herbs.
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Soy-Ginger Marinade: Try this awesome combo I discovered:
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (grated)
- 1-inch fresh ginger root grated
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
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Buttermilk Soak: Soak chicken in buttermilk overnight for tender, tangy results.
Tip: After marinating, always pat your chicken dry with paper towels. This helps promote better browning during grilling!.
2. Setting Up Your Pellet Grill
Temperature Settings:
- Turn on your pellet grill and set to 350°F (175°C)
- Allow it to preheat for 10-15 minutes
- Make sure you have enough pellets in the hopper
Choosing the Right Pellets:
- Apple: Provides a mild, slightly sweet flavor
- Cherry: Offers a sweet and fruity note
- Hickory: Delivers a stronger, classic BBQ flavor
- Competition Blend: Balanced mix of flavors
P-Settings (for Pit Boss users):
If you’re using a Pit Boss grill, the default P4 factory setting works well for chicken. You might need to adjust this on colder days.
3. Grilling the Chicken Breasts
Now for the fun part – actually grilling those chicken breasts!
Placement on the Grill:
- Place the chicken breasts on one side of the grill, not in the middle
- This leaves room for any sides you might want to cook
- Space them out to ensure even cooking
Cooking Time:
- Cook at 350°F for approximately 20-30 minutes total
- Smaller chicken breasts may take 20-25 minutes
- Larger, thicker breasts may take 25-30 minutes
Flipping Technique:
- Cook for about 15 minutes on the first side
- Flip once when the chicken turns white and has nice grill marks
- Cook for another 5-15 minutes on the second side
- Avoid flipping more than once as this can dry out the meat
Temperature Monitoring:
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature
- Cook until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C)
- The temperature will rise to 165°F (74°C) during resting
The Critical Resting Period
A lot of people mess up here! If you want juicy chicken, don’t skip this step!
After removing the chicken from the grill:
- Place it on a cutting board
- Tent with aluminum foil
- Let it rest for 5-10 minutes
The resting time lets the juices move around inside the chicken, making the meat much more tender. You will get all those great juices on your cutting board if you cut into it right away.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking: This is the #1 reason for dry chicken. Use a thermometer!
- Undercooking: Just as bad – chicken needs to reach 165°F for safety
- Skipping the Rest: Always let your chicken rest after cooking
- Constantly Opening the Lid: This releases heat and extends cooking time
- Using Low-Quality Pellets: Good pellets = better flavor
Serving Suggestions
Pellet-grilled chicken breasts are so versatile! Here are some ways I love to serve them:
- Sliced over a fresh salad
- In sandwiches or wraps
- Paired with grilled veggies
- With quinoa or potatoes
- Diced and added to pasta
- On their own with a flavorful dipping sauce
Tasty Sauce Pairings
Try these sauces with your grilled chicken:
- Creamy yogurt dill sauce
- Kefir ranch dressing
- Simple peanut sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Buffalo sauce
Storing Leftover Chicken
Got extras? Here’s how to store them properly:
- Cool completely to room temperature
- Place in an airtight container
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week
- Or freeze for up to 6 months
My Favorite Marinades and Rubs
I’ve experimented with lots of flavor combinations, and these are some of my favorites:
Easy Everyday Chicken Rub
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cayenne (optional for heat)
Lemon Herb Marinade
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, oregano)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Troubleshooting Tips
If Your Chicken Is Coming Out Dry:
- Check that you’re not overcooking
- Try brining your chicken first
- Use a marinade with oil
- Consider chicken thighs instead of breasts for more forgiving cooking
If Your Chicken Lacks Flavor:
- Use more seasoning than you think you need
- Try different wood pellet flavors
- Marinate longer (up to 24 hours)
- Season both before and after cooking
Real-Life Success Story
Last summer, I cooked chicken breasts on my pellet grill for a family gathering. My brother-in-law, who claims to hate chicken breasts because they’re “always dry,” actually went back for seconds! He couldn’t believe how juicy and flavorful they were. The secret? I marinated them in that soy-ginger mixture, cooked them at 350°F until they hit exactly 160°F, and then let them rest. Game changer!
Final Thoughts
Cooking chicken breasts on a pellet grill doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right preparation, temperature control, and that all-important resting period, you can achieve juicy, flavorful results every time.
The beauty of using a pellet grill is that you get that wonderful smoky flavor without having to be a grilling expert. The consistent temperature control does most of the hard work for you!
So next time you’re thinking about what to make for dinner, grab some chicken breasts and fire up that pellet grill. Your taste buds (and probably your family) will thank you!
What’s your favorite way to season chicken breasts for the pellet grill? Drop a comment below – I’m always looking for new flavor combinations to try!
Happy grilling!
How to Grill Chicken Legs on a Pellet Grill
Also referred to as drumsticks, chicken legs have a small, thin bone running through them. This dark meat has a high-fat content and bone density, which means it takes longer to cook.
Grilling Chicken on a Pellet Grill: The Basics
If you want to dive into the world of grilling chicken on a pellet smoker, here’s what you need to do. First, let’s cover the basics.
When making grilled chicken on a pellet grill, you first need to decide which cut of meat to make. Here, we’ll cover:
Although the pellets from your grill will give your chicken a smokey flavor, you don’t want to skip the marinade. Here are some of our favorite simple grilled chicken marinades:
- Italian dressing
- BBQ sauce
- Buffalo sauce
- Olive oil and basil, thyme, or rosemary
- Ginger soy sauce glaze
- Dijon mustard
When learning how to grill chicken on a pellet grill, a good marinade is essential.
How to Make JUICY Smoked Chicken Breasts on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill!
FAQ
What temperature do you cook chicken breast on a pellet grill?
For juicy and flavorful chicken breast on a pellet grill, aim for a temperature range of 325-375°F (163-190°C). 325°F is a good starting point, but you can change it if you want the skin to be a little crispier or the meat to cook faster.
How to cook chicken breast on pit boss pellet grill?
Warm up the Pit Boss pellet grill to 325°F (163°C) and grill the chicken breasts for 15 minutes. Flip and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 150°F (66°C). Baste with BBQ sauce and cook for 5-10 more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
Is it better to grill chicken at 350 or 400?
For grilling chicken, it’s generally better to use a medium-high heat, which translates to a temperature range of 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 204°C). This range allows for a good sear on the outside while ensuring the chicken cooks through to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Do you need to flip chicken on a pellet grill?
Once the grill is hot and ready, place the seasoned chicken breasts directly over the flame. Keep the grill lid closed to trap the heat and cook the chicken evenly. Monitor the cooking process closely, flipping the breasts once the chicken releases from the grate and ensuring even cooking on both sides.
Can you cook Grilled Chicken on a pellet grill?
Tender, juicy Traeger Grilled Chicken Breast is the easiest way to cook up chicken on a pellet grill. This grilled chicken is such a simple recipe, and with four spices required, it makes it versatile. So you can use the grilled chicken breast as an addition to so many recipes.
What is a pellet grill chicken breast?
Pellet grill chicken breast is an amazing way to cook chicken breast. Smoked meat tastes great and is juicy when it comes off the grill. You won’t get that flavor from a regular grill by itself. Lightly smoky, incredibly juicy, and super flavorful from the seasoning blend, this pellet grill chicken breast is the best way to cook chicken.
How long do you cook chicken breast on a pellet grill?
How to cook chicken breast on Pit Boss pellet grill. Cook the chicken at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes and then..
How do you cook chicken breast on a Traeger pellet grill?
Juicy Traeger Pellet Grilled chicken breasts are easy, fast, and delicious if you follow a few easy tips to make sure they are not overcooked or dry. Preheat your pellet grill to 375° according to factory directions. Cut in half lengthwise to make them half as thick. Coat in the avocado oil.
Can you put chicken breast on a grill?
Any of these pellet flavors will help enhance the flavor of mild-flavored meats like chicken. Once the meat has been seasoned and the grill has reached the proper temperature, it’s time to put the chicken breasts on the grill. Place the chicken breasts on one side of the grill, not in the middle.
How do you cook a chicken breast with wood pellets?
Wood Pellets: Use fruitwood pellets like apple, cherry, or peach for a mild and sweet smoky flavor that complements the chicken well. Chicken Thickness: Ensure even cooking by choosing chicken breasts with a similar size and thickness, or pound them to an even thickness using a meat mallet.