How long to smoke chicken breast in electric smoker?
If you are seeking for how long to smoke chicken breast in electric smoker, look no further! We have got you covered.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and give your chicken dinner a smoky twist, then an electric smoker is your go-to appliance. Make sure to choose the right wood chips for that tantalizing barbecue flavor, season and marinate your chicken just right, and keep an eye on the cooking times to ensure the perfect doneness. Smoked chicken breasts are not only delicious but can be great sources of healthy protein too. Now all that’s left for you is to get smoking so you can experience those yummy smoked chicken flavors yourself.
In this blog post, we will be diving into how long to smoke a chicken breast in an electric smoker for delicious mouth-watering results every single time. So read on as we cover everything you need to know about getting cooking with your electric smoker!
What type of wood should I use?
Wood chips are crucial for imparting a delightful smoky flavor to your chicken. The choice of wood directly influences the taste. For a subtle and sweet flavor, I recommend using apple wood chips from Western Wood. They perfectly complement smoking chicken breast.
On the other hand, if you prefer bolder flavors, you can experiment with hickory or mesquite wood chips. However, be cautious as these woods tend to overpower the delicate taste of chicken.
When I began my journey into smoking, I acquired an electric smoker from a garage sale. I extensively researched how to maximize the smoke flavor in my electric smoker.
Various sources suggest soaking wood chips in water, but based on my experience, I found it unnecessary. Soaking only delays the smoking process and the smoke doesn’t burn as cleanly, ultimately affecting the overall taste.
How to smoke chicken breasts in an electric smoker
Before you embark on smoking your chicken breast, follow these essential steps to ensure a successful outcome.
1)Trimming and Prepping
Start by meticulously trimming any loose pieces and excess fat from each breast.
2)Don’t Skip the Brining
Brining is a crucial step not to be overlooked when preparing chicken breast.
Enhance your chicken’s flavor and tenderness by soaking it in a solution of salt and water for several hours before cooking. The brine’s salt helps break down the muscle fibers, resulting in a juicy and tender final product. Especially when smoking chicken breast, this step is highly recommended.
3)Flavorful Seasoning
Now it’s time to season the chicken with a dry rub. Create a homemade rub or use a store-bought option. Experiment with different flavors—I found our Smoke Kitchen Honey Garlic rub to be perfect for these chicken breasts.
Apply an even layer of the rub on both sides of the chicken and let it rest for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.
4)Setting Up Your Electric Smoker
To get your electric smoker ready, preheat it to 225°F.
The Cuisinart COS 330 is an excellent choice for its ample shelf space, providing room for all your smoking needs. It features two trays— one on the left for a water pan and another on the right for wood chips.
Fill the water pan about three-quarters of the way, ensuring an added steam supply to keep your chicken breasts moist. If your electric smoker lacks a water pan, use a foil pan on one of the shelves underneath the chicken.
Fill the wood chip tray halfway with your favorite wood chips. Soon enough, your smoker will reach the desired temperature, and the wood chips will begin producing flavorful smoke.
5)Smoking the Chicken Breasts
Place the chicken in the smoker with the breast side facing up. Insert a digital thermometer into one of the breasts to monitor the internal temperature without frequently opening the smoker.
During the smoking process, keep the lid closed whenever possible, only opening it to add more wood chips or spritz with water if the chicken appears dried out.
Once the internal temperature reaches 160°F, remove the chicken from the smoker. Let it rest for 10 minutes—a crucial step as the internal temperature will rise to a safe 165°F during this time.
Follow these steps for an unforgettable smoked chicken breast experience. Enjoy your flavorful and succulent culinary delight!
6)Finishing the chicken
To enhance the flavor profile of your chicken breasts, consider adding a touch of barbecue sauce either as a finishing touch or serve it on the side. In this recipe, we aimed to keep things simple to allow the chicken to stand out. The delightful taste of mild and pleasant sweet apple wood smoke truly comes through, creating a mouthwatering experience. Additionally, the honey garlic rub perfectly complements the sweet smoky flavor and contributes to an exceptional overall taste. Give it a try and elevate your chicken dish to new heights!
How long to smoke chicken breast in electric smoker?
Smoking time for chicken breasts depends on the thickness of the meat. Generally, it takes about 1 hour to smoke a 4-ounce piece of chicken breast. Remember to check the internal temperature every so often to guarantee a perfectly cooked outcome.
Ultimately, no one knows better than you when it comes to cooking your food—so use this guide as an inspiration and experiment with different flavors when smoking your chicken breast in an electric smoker. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results!
How long to cook chicken breast in masterbuilt electric smoker?
When you want to perfect the art of smoked chicken, it’s important that you pay close attention to cooking times. Cooking your chicken breast in an electric smoker can take anywhere from 1.5-2 hours. Generally speaking, a four-ounce chicken breast will require around 75 minutes as per the Masterbuilt preset temperature settings for poultry (325°F/163°C).
For thicker chicken breasts that are eight ounces or more, you may need to increase the cook time to 2 hours. As a general rule of thumb, cooking times also depend on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces, internal temperature, and the type of electric smoker used. To ensure that your chicken is cooked through properly, use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken breast. It should reach 165°F (74°C) before consuming.
Now that you’ve learned how long to smoke a chicken breast in an electric smoker, it’s time for you to fire up your own smoker and get cooking! With just the right amount of wood chips and perfectly cooked chicken, you’ll be creating mouth-watering dishes in no time.
Up for some more electric smoker recipes?
- How to smoke ribs in an electric smoker
- How to smoke a turkey in an electric smoker
- How to smoke brisket in an electric smoker
- How to Smoke Pulled Pork in an Electric Smoker
Recipe: How to Smoke Chicken Breasts in an Electric Smoker
Prepare these flavorful smoked boneless chicken breasts effortlessly using this electric smoker recipe. Seasoned with a delightful herb BBQ dry rub and cooked over applewood, they are sure to satisfy your barbecue cravings.
Equipment Needed:
• Electric smoker
• Smoking wood chips (apple, peach or cherry)
• Water pan
• Digital thermometer
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts skinless
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Smoke Kitchen Honey Garlic rub
Instructions
To prepare the chicken breasts, start by trimming off any loose pieces and excess fat. If you’re brining the chicken, remember to remove it from the brine and rinse it thoroughly. Next, drizzle a little olive oil over each breast and generously apply your favorite BBQ rub to both sides.
Now, it’s time to get your smoker ready. Add wood chips for that smoky flavor and fill the water pan. Heat your smoker to a temperature of 225°F, ensuring that it’s nice and hot.
Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the smoker and let it smoke until the internal temperature reaches around 160°F. Keep an eye on it and spritz with water if it starts to look dry.
Once the chicken reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the smoker and allow it to rest for a few minutes. This will help the flavors to settle and the juices to redistribute. Finally, slice the chicken and serve it alongside your favorite sides.
Enjoy this deliciously smoked chicken prepared to perfection!
Notes
When it comes to choosing the right wood flavor, apple wood chips are a popular choice. They lend a subtle, sweet flavor that perfectly complements smoked chicken breast. However, if you prefer bolder flavors, you might want to try hickory or mesquite wood chips, but use them sparingly.
Now, let’s talk about brining. Brining is a process where you soak the chicken in a solution of salt and water for several hours before cooking. This technique works wonders for making your chicken tender and juicy. The salt in the brine helps break down the muscle fibers, resulting in a more flavorful final product.
If you’re interested in trying brining, here’s a simple recipe: for every cup of cold water, add 1 tablespoon of salt. Mix until the salt is dissolved, and you’re good to go.
Give these tips a try and elevate your chicken game to the next level!
Nutrition
Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 339mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2m
Final Thoughts: How long to smoke chicken breast in electric smoker?
Smoking chicken breasts in an electric smoker is a great way to bring out delicious flavors that are full of smokiness and sweetness. Remember, the cooking time depends on the size of the chicken breast and your desired internal temperature. Be sure to keep checking on it as you go in order to get perfectly cooked and flavorful smoked chicken breasts every single time!
References:
- https://www.masterbuilt.com/blogs/recipes/smoked-chicken-breas
- thttps://realsimplegood.com/smoked-chicken-breast/
- https://www.simplywhisked.com/smoked-chicken-breast/
Tyne Williamson is an innovative entrepreneur and the founder of Alibis Bar And Grill. Specializing in hospitality, Tyne’s website provides helpful cooking tips, kitchen equipment buying guides, BBQ accessories and a plethora of mouthwatering food-related information. With his passion for culinary excellence, Tyne hopes her website can empower others to create delicious meals and make their kitchen time a little easier. He strives to find innovative ways to bring people together through the love of good food.