Cook delicious chili smoked chicken breasts on a Traeger or pellet grill. Chicken is basted w/ a simple seasoning, then smoked and grilled to finish!
Place finely chopped garlic and salt into a small bowl. Use a fork to mash these ingredients together until it forms a paste-like mixture. Add remaining chili sauce ingredients to mixture, and stir well, to combine. Brush sauce over all sides of chicken. Cover chicken and refrigerate for 1 hour. NOTE: Chicken can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, if necessary. Remove chicken from fridge about 1/2 an hour before putting on grill, to take the chill off the meat.
Set temperature gauge to SMOKE setting. Keep lid open and let it go for about 4-5 minutes, until fire is established and grill is smoking. Now turn temperature to 225°F, and preheat (lid closed), for 10-15 minutes (or until it reaches temperature). Once grill is at 225°F., you're ready to smoke the chicken! Place chicken breasts directly on grate, and let them smoke (lid closed) for 25 minutes.
Once done "smoking", remove chicken from grill (and wrap to keep them warm). Turn temperature setting on the grill to HIGH (450°F), and preheat for 10 minutes (or until it reaches temperature). Once grill is at 450°F, place chicken back onto grill. Grill for 5 minutes, then flip over, and grill other side for approx. 5 minutes. This helps sear the chili basting sauce to the chicken.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Since pellet grills often vary quite a bit temperature-wise and at times have fluctuating heat levels, it is best to check the internal temperature of the chicken breasts once you flip them. Place the temperature probe into the thickest part of the chicken. Remove chicken from grill once it reaches 165°F (it will continue to cook a bit as it rests off heat).
Let the chili smoked chicken breasts rest for 3-4 minutes before serving, to let the juices redistribute inside the meat. Serve, and enjoy!
NOTE: If using large chicken breasts (thick), you may need to adjust the grilling time (cook longer) to bring to internal temperature of 165° F.
Traeger Chili Smoked Chicken Breasts https://www.thegratefulgirlcooks.com/chili-smoked-chicken-breasts/