Description
Juicy and flavorful smoked chicken breast
Ingredients
4 pounds chicken breasts
4 cups water, divided
3 Tbs kosher salt
3 Tbs honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tsp black peppercorns
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
1/2 lemon, zested and juiced
Instructions
In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups water and kosher salt to a boil. Add the honey, minced garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat. Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Then add 2 cups of cold water or ice.
Place chicken breasts in a large bowl and pour brine over. Add water if needed to cover chicken. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours, but no longer than 36 hours.
Preheat pellet smoker to 250℉. I use low (level 2) smoke. Rinse brine from chicken breasts and pat dry with paper towels. Insert meat thermometer, close lid, and walk away.
Once meat reaches the internal temperature of 150 degrees, set timer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken from the grill and cover immediately with foil, allowing chicken to sit for another 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Expect cooking/smoking time to take 60-90 minutes, depending on thickness of chicken breasts and model of pellet smoker.
Safe chicken temperature is usually 165℉, however, smoking chicken to 165℉ will result in tough and dry meat. Holding the temp at 150℉ for 5 minutes, and then removing from grill and covering the chicken to allow it to finish cooking maintains moisture, while being safe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
