Our Traeger whole chicken recipe makes it super simple and is one of the simplest ways to cook dinner for your family. Take a boring, bland chicken, spice it up a bit, and you’ll be amazed at how well it smokes.
What should a shelf cooker do in this scenario? The slow cooker is out because you don’t have enough time for it; roasting the chicken in the oven would be too hot and would also heat up the house; and the Instant Pot wouldn’t quite give it the smoky flavor you were hoping for.
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Make it for a large group of people or prepare to freeze the leftovers for later—either way, it’s going to be a hit! Our Traeger whole chicken recipe has quickly become a family favorite because you can have it on the table in less than two hours and cook multiple chickens at once.
How to Cook Chicken Breasts | Traeger Staples
Traeger Grilled Chicken Breast 🔗
Make tender, juicy grilled chicken on the Traeger every time with this recipe + chipotle and citrus marinade.
Prep: 10min
Total: 2h40min
Serving Size: about 3 oz
Nutrition Facts: calories 140 calories, Carbohydrate 2 grams carbohydrates, Fat 2 grams fat, Protein 26 grams protein, servingSize about 3 oz
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
- 1/3 cup (80g) Fresh Orange Juice (about 1 large navel orange)
- 1/4 cup (60g) Lime Juice (about 2 limes)
- 4 (20g) Garlic Cloves, peeled
- 3.7 oz can Chipotle Peppers in Adobo
- 2 handfuls (10g) Cilantro
- 1 Tablespoon (16g) Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt (Diamond Crystal)
- 1 Tablespoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
Instruction:
- Blend all the marinade ingredients together in a food processor and place in an airtight container with the chicken for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- When ready to grill, preheat your Traeger to 500ºF for 15 minutes with the lid closed.
- Add the marinated chicken breast to the grates and grill with the lid closed for about 25 minutes, flipping in the final 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160ºF at its thickest point. (Smaller 6-8 oz chicken breasts take 20-25 minutes and larger 10-12 oz chicken breasts take 25-30 minutes.)
- Let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
FAQ
What temperature do 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.
What temp should I set my Traeger to grill chicken?
Trim any excess skin and fat from the chicken thighs while the grill is heating. Set the Traeger to 350°F and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. Insert the probe into the thickest part of a chicken thigh while avoiding the bone.
How long does it take to smoke a chicken on a pellet grill at 225?
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.
How do you smoke chicken and keep it moist?
Follow these guidelines for fall-off-the-bone, juicy smoked chicken and use your pellet grills (we prefer these to electric smokers):Pat your chicken dry; keep seasoning simple; use a mild hardwood; start your smoker temperature at 225 degrees; no peaking; last blast; the BBQ sauce is the final step; don’t overcook!
How long does it take to cook chicken legs on Traeger grill?
Cooking Instructions: Preheat Traeger to 275°F. Place drumsticks directly on the grate for the first 30 minutes, flip, and cook for another 30 minutes. Remove the drumsticks from the grate and place in a pan. Remove foil. Sauce all drumsticks in the pan.