Discover the perfect Kamado Joe smoked chicken breast recipe for a flavorful and tender dish. Impress your guests with this mouthwatering BBQ favorite.
Course Main Course
Prep Time 15 minutesmins
Cook Time 2 hourshrs
Brining Time 2 minutesmins
Servings 4
Ingredients
4bonelessskinless chicken breasts
4cupswater
¼cupsalt
¼cupsugar
1tablespoonolive oil
2tablespoonspaprika
1tablespoongarlic powder
1teaspoonblack pepper
Wood chips or chunkshickory or applewood work great
Instructions
Brine the Chicken (optional)
Mix 4 cups of water, ¼ cup of salt, and ¼ cup of sugar in a large bowl. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve. This is your brine.
Place your chicken breasts into the brine, ensuring they're fully submerged. Cover the bowl and let it hang out in the refrigerator for about 2 hours. If you're short on time, you can skip this step, but brining makes the chicken extra juicy.
Season and Prepare the Grill
Remove the chicken from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels. Place the chicken breasts on a plate.
In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of paprika, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. This is your seasoning blend.
Drizzle the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and rub it all over.
Sprinkle the seasoning blend evenly on both sides of the chicken breasts. Don't be shy; get in there and massage them.
Now, it's time to fire up your Kamado Joe. Set it to a temperature between 250-275°F. Place a drip pan on the lower grate to catch any drips and make cleanup a breeze.
Add your wood chips or chunks (about a handful) to the charcoal. Hickory or applewood gives a fantastic smoky flavor. Close the lid and let it get nice and smoky.
Smoke the Chicken
Once the grill is at the right temperature and smoke is rolling, place your seasoned chicken breasts on the upper cooking grate. Make sure they're not touching each other to allow for even smoking.
Close the lid, and let the Kamado Joe work its magic. Smoke the chicken for 1.5-2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check. The smoke and gentle heat will infuse your chicken with incredible flavor.
Rest and Serve
When your chicken reaches that perfect 165°F, it's time to take it off the grill. Carefully remove it using cooking tongs, and place it on a clean plate.
Cover the chicken with aluminum foil and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This step is essential to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring your chicken stays moist and tender.