This Smoked Hen Breast is so comfortable and juicy, with a smoky taste that’s not possible to withstand. Absolute best hen ever? It simply could be! Right here’s the right way to smoke hen breast on any taste of smoker that may make you are feeling like a pit grasp.
Whilst you get a smoker, you simply wish to smoke all of the issues.
We began with this succulent Smoked Salmon, and now that I’ve observed how simple and the way impressive smoking favourite proteins can also be, I’m solving to fireside it up each trade we get.
Subsequent up: smoked hen breast.
Now, I’ve plenty of techniques to make boneless, skinless hen breasts style scrumptious, from Pan Fried Hen Breast to Grilled Hen Breast, however everyone knows that on their very own, with none of the ones particular methods, they are able to be a little bit bland.
That’s why boneless hen breasts are the easiest candidate for the smoking remedy!
What Makes This the Absolute best Smoked Hen Breast
No bland hen right here!
Smoking infuses meals with such a lot taste, but it surely’s no longer simply the smokiness that makes this smoked hen breast recipe so excellent.
Listed here are some extra causes you’ll like it.
- It’s Completely Seasoned. Whilst some cuts of meats are flavorful sufficient that they don’t truly want anything else instead of salt and time within the smoker, boneless, skinless hen breasts want some oomph, and my dry rub recipe brings it.
- It’s Juicy. Boneless hen breasts tend to dry out, however cooking low and sluggish in a smoker guarantees that your hen is comfortable and wet (and all of us love wet hen!).
- It’s Simple. This can be a excellent beginning recipe should you’re new to the use of a smoker. In reality, should you practice those steps, smoked hen breast is a no-fail dish.
Methods to Make Smoked Hen
You’ll use this smoked hen breast recipe on any taste of smoker—charcoal people who smoke (Weber, Large Inexperienced Egg), pellet people who smoke (Traeger), and electrical people who smoke all paintings right here.
In a position? Let’s speak about the right way to smoke hen breast in a smoker!
Tip!
Whilst the smoker preheats, collect your elements, combine the dry rub, and prep the hen.
The Elements
- Boneless Skinless Hen Breasts. You’ll wish to be certain that they’re all more or less the similar measurement and thickness so that they end cooking on the identical time.
- Further-Virgin Olive Oil. To assist the rub to stick with the hen.
- Unsalted Butter. That is not obligatory, however extremely really helpful. It is going to assist stay your hen comfortable.
- Gas. Charcoal, pellets, or no matter you employ on your smoker.
- Picket Chips or Chunks. Those are not obligatory too, but in addition really helpful. I love to make use of pecan, apple, cherry, or oak. Hickory and mesquite are slightly too robust for hen.
- Canola Oil. Simply to stay the hen from sticking to the smoker.
- Hen Breast Rub. Mild brown sugar, kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, flooring black pepper, celery salt, and cayenne pepper.
The Instructions
1. Get ready the hen by way of drying it and combing it with olive oil.
2. Combine the dry rub elements in a small bowl.
3. Rub the seasoning all over the place the hen breasts. Preheat the smoker to 225 levels F, then brush it with canola oil.
- Position the hen breasts within the smoker. In case you’re the use of the butter, baste the hen when it reaches 140–150 levels F. Proceed to prepare dinner till the hen reaches 160 levels F.
- Take away the hen, then tent it with foil for five mins to leisure prior to cutting. ENJOY!
Guidelines for the Absolute best Smoked Hen
- Use high quality wooden and charcoal. For the charcoal, we adore hardwood lump charcoal (corresponding to FOGO). Select a gentle wooden or fruit wooden, like alder, oak, or apple for smoked hen recipes.
- Dry the hen neatly. Use paper towels to blot away any moisture; this will likely assist the dry rub adhere.
- Cross by way of temperature, no longer time. You will be questioning how lengthy to smoke hen breasts at 225 levels F, however the instances indexed on this recipe are a coarse estimate. That is how it’s with smoking. For absolute best smoked hen breasts, an instant-read thermometer is your easiest information. To test the temperature, insert the probe into the thickest a part of the hen breast. It’s completed when the inner temperature reaches 160 levels F; the temperature will proceed to upward push to 165 levels F because the hen rests.
- Be affected person. Don’t rush the smoking, and don’t rush the resting time both—the 5 mins of leisure will be sure that the hen is juicy and flavorful while you reduce into it.
Garage Guidelines
- To Retailer. Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
- To Reheat. Loosely quilt the hen breasts with foil and reheat in a 350 level F oven till warmed via, or heat in moderation within the microwave.
- To Freeze. You’ll freeze cooked smoked hen breasts for as much as 2 months. Wrap them tightly and position them in an hermetic container or freezer bag prior to freezing. Thaw the smoked hen breasts in a single day within the fridge.
Meal Prep Tip
Smoked hen breasts are very good for meal prep, and in case you are smoking hen, you could as neatly make a number. Slice them up and upload them to salads for lunches, tuck them into wraps, or lead them to into sandwiches.
What to Serve With Smoked Hen
In case you’re searching for a hen dinner that’s truly a winner, it’s time to tug out your smoker and make those juicy smoked hen breasts!
Regularly Requested Questions
The important thing to wet, flavorful smoked hen is a low temperature and endurance. (That melted butter is helping, too.) Boneless skinless hen breasts truly take pleasure in an extended cooking time at a decrease temperature as it helps to keep the moisture from cooking off.
Smoking a hen at 225°F is the optimum temperature for attaining juicy, comfortable meat. If you want to prepare dinner your hen sooner, you’ll be able to elevate the smoker temperature to 250°F, however your hen is much more likely to dry out.
Whilst I do love to brine Baked Hen Breasts, I’ve discovered there’s no want to brine hen breasts prior to smoking. Despite the fact that you surely can brine your hen should you’d love to, it’s going to nonetheless be flavorful and comfortable with out this step.
As a result of a smoker circulates warmth (and smoke) across the hen, fairly than cooking with direct warmth like a grill, you don’t want to turn hen breasts while you’re smoking them.
For Smoking the Hen:
- 3 to a few 1/2 kilos boneless skinless hen breasts about 6 medium breasts
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted (not obligatory however VERY excellent)
- Charcoal pellets, or no matter fuels your smoker
- Picket chips or chunks not obligatory for smoking, corresponding to pecan, apple, or oak
- Canola oil for brushing the smoker
For the Hen Breast Rub*:
-
Take away the hen from the fridge. Pat very dry with paper towels. Position on a parchment-lined baking sheet (or identical floor so that you could simply lift it out to the smoker). Brush all sides with the olive oil.
-
In a small bowl stir in combination the rub: brown sugar, kosher salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, celery salt, and cayenne.
-
Sprinkle the hen liberally all over the place with the dry rub. Let stand at room temperature whilst you get ready the smoker.
-
Warmth your smoker to 225ºF—if the use of a charcoal smoker, your hearth doesn’t want to be very huge. Previous to lights, upload the wooden, blending it with the charcoal. It’s OK in case your smoker will get a bit of warmer than 225; simply be aware that the hen will prepare dinner extra temporarily.
-
Brush the smoker with the canola oil as an insurance plans towards sticking. Upload the hen breasts and smoke till they succeed in 160ºF on an immediate learn thermometer inserted on the thickest phase, 45 mins to at least one hour relying upon the dimensions of your breasts, your smoker arrange, and what sort of your smoker temperature is fluctuating—take a look at on the 30-minute mark to gauge your growth. All the time smoke to temperature, to not time at the clock. The carryover cooking will reason the hen breast to upward push to 165ºF because it rests.
-
If the use of butter, soften it in a small bowl. As soon as the hen reaches 140 to 150ºF (about 30 or so mins in), baste the hen all over the place the highest with the butter to make it more succulent and delish, then proceed smoking till the hen breast reaches 160ºF, about quarter-hour extra.
-
Take away the hen from the smoker. Tent with foil and let leisure 5 mins. Slice and experience.
- TO STORE: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Loosely quilt the hen breasts with foil and reheat in a 350 level F oven till warmed via.
- TO FREEZE: You’ll freeze cooked smoked hen breasts for as much as 2 months. Wrap them tightly and position them in an hermetic container or freezer bag prior to freezing. Thaw the smoked hen breasts in a single day within the fridge.
Serving: 1 (of 6)Energy: 409kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 57gFats: 17gSaturated Fats: 6gPolyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 7gTrans Fats: 0.3gLdl cholesterol: 184mgPotassium: 1022mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gDiet A: 584IUDiet C: 3mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
Sign up for these days and get started saving your favourite recipes
Create an account to simply save your favourite recipes and get right of entry to FREE meal plans.
Similar Recipes
Hen is a dinnertime multitasker! Listed here are a few of my favourite weeknight hen recipes:
