Learn how to cook the best BBQ grilled chicken on your Traeger Grill or Pellet smoker on high heat in less than 30 minutes. Pellet Grill Chicken Thighs are delicious cooked on any kind of pellet grill.
Pellet grills, like a Traeger or other brand, are typically known for low and slow smoking, but I like to consider it more like an oven (you can do both low, and also high temperature cooking). While most pellet grills do not have a true direct cooking option, this recipe for pellet grill chicken thigh achieves crispy skin even when cooking hot and quickly.
This method works great with any pellet grill and involves cooking chicken thighs in a pellet grill at a high heat (450 degrees), which produces a nice char and crispy skin while still allowing some smoke infusion to get into the meat.
We have a fantastic recipe for grilled chicken thighs cooked over charcoal if you don’t have a Traeger or pellet grill. [feast_advanced_jump_to]
For this recipe, we’re using bone-in chicken thighs with skin; be sure to look for thighs that are all the same size when purchasing so that they cook at the same time.
The first step is to pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Next, you’ll want to trim any extra fat along the side of the thighs to make them look uniform, like dapper little soldiers, so they cook at roughly the same time and look nice on your serving platter.
We’ve tested this recipe with our all-purpose seasoning and also our chicken seasoning (sugar free), and we prefer the savory flavor of our no-sugar chicken seasoning. Once the thighs have been trimmed, coat them with olive oil and then liberally apply your dry rub.
EASY Whole Smoked Chicken Recipe w/ Pellet Smoker
How to smoke a chicken breast on a pellet grill 🔗
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Prep: 15min
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp. cooking oil
- 1 tbsp. chicken seasoning, divided
Instruction:
- Preheat your pellet smoker to 225°F.
- Wash the chicken breasts and pat dry. If the chicken breasts have tenderloins attached, use a knife to remove them, and save for another dish.
- Slather the chicken breasts with oil and season each chicken breast on both sides with chicken seasoning.
- When your smoker has reached 225°F, place the chicken breasts in the center of the grill. Insert a temperature probe into the thickest and most center part of the chicken breast. Smoke at 225°F until the chicken breast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This should take about one hour total. Optional (recommended): If you prefer a slight crust on your chicken breast, smoke the meat at 225°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 115°F. Then, raise the temperature of your smoker to 375°F until your chicken breast reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
FAQ
What temperature should you cook chicken on a pellet grill?
It should take about an hour total to smoke the chicken breast at 225°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Optional (recommended): If you prefer a light crust on your chicken breast, smoke the meat at 225°F until the internal temperature reaches 115°F.
How long does it take to smoke a chicken on a pellet grill at 225?
InstructionsSeason the chicken breasts to your taste…. Light your pellet grill and heat it to 350°F…. Place the chicken breasts on the grill…. Check the temperature of the chicken and cook it until the center registers 165°F. *
How do I make crispy pellet grilled chicken?
Place the chicken on your pellet grill and smoke it for an hour at 225°F. Increase the heat to 375°F and roast the chicken for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the white and dark meat reaches 165°F.