How Long to Cook Chicken Breast on a Traeger Pellet Grill for Juicy, Tender Results

Cooking chicken breast on a Traeger wood pellet grill is a great way to add delicious smoky flavor. With the right technique, you can get juicy, tender chicken breast off your Traeger every time. The cooking time will depend on a few factors, but it’s easy to nail once you know what to look for.

Why Cook Chicken on a Traeger?

Traeger grills use 100% natural hardwood pellets to infuse food with a wonderful smoky taste as it cooks, The indirect heat from the grill also allows food to cook gently while absorbing the flavorful smoke

Chicken breasts in particular benefit from Traeger cooking The moderate temperature helps chicken stay tender and juicy, instead of drying out And the smoke adds incredible depth of flavor you just can’t achieve with traditional grilling or oven cooking.

Factors That Affect Traeger Chicken Cook Times

Several things impact how long it takes to cook chicken breasts on a Traeger grill:

• Thickness of the chicken – Thinner breasts will cook faster than thick pieces Boneless chicken breasts can range from 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches thick,

• Weight of the chicken – Larger, heavier breasts take longer than smaller pieces. Chicken breast sizes vary from 4-8 ounces or larger.

• Bone-in vs boneless – Bone-in chicken breasts take longer to cook than boneless. The bones help retain moisture, but also shield some meat from the heat.

• Traeger temperature – Cooking at a lower temperature (e.g. 180°F vs 350°F) increases the cooking time.

• Number of chicken pieces – The more chicken you have on the grill, the longer it takes to cook since the grill has more meat to heat up.

• Indirect vs direct heat – Chicken cooked over direct heat cooks faster than using indirect heat.

How Long Does It Take to Cook Chicken Breast on a Traeger?

The cooking time can range quite a bit based on the factors above. Here are some general timelines:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast (1 inch thick, 5-6 oz):

  • 180-225°F indirect heat: 40-60 minutes
  • 225-275°F indirect heat: 30-45 minutes
  • 325-375°F indirect heat: 15-25 minutes

• Bone-in, skin-on chicken breast (1 1/2 inches thick, 8 oz):

  • 180-225°F indirect heat: 60-90 minutes
  • 225-275°F indirect heat: 45-60 minutes
  • 325-375°F indirect heat: 25-35 minutes

The best way to tell when chicken is done is to use an instant read thermometer. Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

For boneless breasts, shoot for 160°F and then let it rest off heat for 5 minutes, during which time the temperature will rise another 5-10 degrees.

For bone-in and whole chickens, aim for 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking Chicken Breast on a Traeger

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked Traeger chicken breast, regardless of thickness or weight:

1. Pat the chicken dry and rub it with a light coating of oil or dry seasoning rub. Let it sit at room temperature while heating up the grill.

2. Preheat the Traeger to the desired cooking temperature (180-375°F). Give it 15-20 minutes to preheat.

3. Place the chicken on the grill, being sure not to overload it. Leave ample space between pieces for good air circulation.

4. Cook using indirect heat, with the chicken offset from the hot side of the grill. Keep the lid closed as much as possible.

5. Flip the chicken halfway through cooking. This helps ensure even cooking.

6. Brush with sauce during the last 5-10 minutes if desired. Apply lightly to prevent burning.

7. Check temperature at the end to ensure doneness. Remove from grill when chicken reaches 165°F.

8. Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving for juicier meat. The temperature will rise and juices will redistribute during this time.

9. Enjoy your delicious Traeger chicken! It will have a beautiful smoke ring and awesome wood-fired flavor.

With a little practice, you’ll be able to estimate cook times. Thinner breasts may need only 15-25 minutes total at higher temperatures. Thick bone-in breasts can take upwards of 60-90 minutes at lower temperatures.

Use a meat thermometer and play around with different heat levels. You’ll be making amazing smoked chicken on your Traeger in no time!