There’s nothing better than looking forward to a hearty stuffed and smoked chicken breast fresh off the smoker, delicious! I’m a massive fan of stuffed chicken breast for many reasons, one of them being that there is no hard and fast rule as to what to stuff them with.
I’ve tried a bunch of combinations but my favorite is the one I’ve listed in this recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Stuffed And Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe
Smoking stuffed chicken is not always easy to do, but you’ll love this recipe because I’ve nutted out the perfect process which means the chicken breasts turn out tender and juicy every time.
Unfortunately, chicken tends to turn rubbery and dry if it’s not smoked properly. So be sure to follow along with my tried-and-tested recipe so your breasts turn out lovely!
I’ve also included a delicious filling that can be whipped up in five minutes from simple and cheap ingredients, and it can be made again and again, plus alternatives if you want to try different fillings!
What You’ll Need For Stuffed And Smoked Chicken Breast
Chicken Breasts
Spinach
Danish Feta
Minced Garlic
BBQ Rub
How to Make Stuffed and Smoked Chicken Breasts
Step 1: Heat Spinach and Garlic In A Frying Pan
Cook the spinach in a frying pan until it’s wilted. Add in minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Set aside these to cool.
Step 2: Add The Feta To Combine
In a bowl combine the Danish feta with spinach and mix. (Use a soft feta like Danish for more of a creamier texture).
Step 3: Make Your Chicken Breast Pockets
Cut a pocket into the thickest part of the chicken breast. Be careful not to cut through otherwise you’ll be left with a fairly flimsy pocket.
Step 4: Stuff Your Chicken Breast Pockets
Insert a spoonful of the filling into the pocket of the chicken.
Step 5: Seal Up The Breast
Secure the breast with butcher’s twine or toothpicks.
Step 6: Coat The Stuffed Chicken Breasts In Rub
Brush some olive oil onto the stuffed chicken breasts and apply your BBQ. Allow them to sit for as long as you like before smoking! The longer you leave the rub, the more intense the flavor becomes.
Step 7: Smoke Your Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Smoke at 225°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The time will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. Mine were fairly large (about 350g per breast), so it took about 3.5-4 hours to smoke them.
What Temperature to Smoke Stuffed And Smoked Chicken Breast at
For this recipe, I set my chicken breasts to smoke at 225°F. Make sure you allow
Internal Temperature You Need to Reach For Stuffed And Smoked Chicken Breast
The internal temperature of the stuffed chicken breasts should be 165°F. You should use a temperature probe to measure this.
How Long Does It Take To Smoke Stuffed And Smoked Chicken Breast
It took 4 hours for the chicken breasts to reach 165°F. I was using quite large breasts (12oz or 350g per breast), and as they are stuffed, they can take longer to cook.
The secret to tender, juicy chicken breasts is to smoke them for a long period at a low temperature. This gives the chicken time to cook and turn white without drying out immediately.
Can I Smoke The Chicken Breasts With Skin On?
The issue with smoking chicken breasts with the skin on is that the skin tends to turn rubbery, which is not enjoyable to eat. Therefore, I’d recommend buying your chicken breasts with the skin already removed for this recipe.
What To Serve With Stuffed And Smoked Chicken Breast
These stuffed and smoked chicken breasts can be served with complementary carby side dishes or simple roasted veggies. Some of the dishes I like to have on the side are:
How To Store Leftover Stuffed And Smoked Chicken Breast
To store leftover stuffed and smoked chicken breasts, allow them to cool, place them in an airtight container, and refrigerate.
Best Wood Chips for Stuffed And Smoked Chicken Breast
I like to use sweet wood chips for stuffed and smoked chicken breasts. Chips like maple, apple, cherry, hickory, or mesquite complement the chicken breasts well. Hickory is a harder wood than most but has a strong and sweet aroma that smells uncannily like bacon.
Nothing also stops you from combining two different types of wood chips for a different taste.
Do I Need To Let Cooked Chicken Rest?
It’s never a bad idea to allow the breasts to rest for 5 to 10 minutes after smoking. Resting the cooked chicken after cooking lets the tendons and juices in the meat relax, giving the breasts a tender texture.
To add more flavor to stuffed chicken breasts, wrap the chicken in foil and allow it to rest for twenty minutes.
What Rub Should I Use For Stuffed and Smoked Chicken Breasts?
The rub you use to coat your chicken breasts should ultimately complement the chicken. I used a lemon, salt, garlic, and rosemary rub for these breasts, but it’s up to your taste.
Many rubs can be found at the butcher or up at the supermarket.
How Long Should I Leave The Rub On The Chicken Breasts Before Smoking?
How long you leave the rub on the chicken before smoking depends on your time. Dry rubs work better over time, but you can marinade for as little as 30 minutes or as long as 24 hours. I left mine to marinade for half an hour.
Can I Use Other Ingredients For The Stuffing?
Yes, you can use other ingredients to stuff the stuffed chicken breasts. Some other good combinations are mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes mixed in with red onions. If you like a touch of spice you can add jalapenos or chili powder.
You can even use cheeses like Swiss, cheddar, mozzarella, or cream cheese! I like using Danish feta because it’s creamy, so it acts as a great combining agent, but it’s also salty, so it adds a salty flavor to the chicken breasts.
Do I Need To Flip The Stuffed and Smoked Chicken Breasts?
No, you don’t need to flip the stuffed and smoked chicken breasts. The smoke and heat encircle the chicken in the smoker and cook it throughout.
Do I Need To Spritz The Stuffed and Smoked Chicken Breasts?
To help the breasts not dry you can spritz the chicken breasts with a little bit of water, beer or apple intermittently while they’re smoking. This helps keep the chicken breasts juicy and tender and also helps them cook more evenly.
Looking for More Chicken Recipes?
Chicken is one of my favorite proteins to cook; here are some more delicious recipes.
Pit Boss Smoked Bone-In Chicken Thighs
Smoked Boneless Chicken Thighs
Stuffed and Smoked Chicken Breasts
Equipment
- Smoker
Ingredients
- 2.2 lbs Chicken Breasts
- .66 lbs Spinach
- 1 cup Danish Feta
- 3 Cloves Minced Garlic
- 2 tbsp BBQ Rub
Instructions
Step 1: Heat Spinach and Garlic In A Frying Pan
- Cook the spinach in a frying pan until it’s wilted. Add in minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Set aside these to cool.
Step 2: Add The Feta To Combine
- In a bowl combine the Danish feta with spinach and mix. (Use a soft feta like Danish for more of a creamier texture).
Step 3: Make Your Chicken Breast Pockets
- Cut a pocket into the thickest part of the chicken breast. Be careful not to cut through otherwise you’ll be left with a fairly flimsy pocket.
Step 4: Stuff Your Chicken Breast Pockets
- Insert a spoonful of the filling into the pocket of the chicken.
Step 5: Seal Up The Breast Pockets
- Secure the breast with butcher’s twine or toothpicks.
Step 6: Coat The Stuffed Chicken Breasts In Your Finest Rub
- Brush a little bit of olive oil onto the stuffed chicken breasts and apply your BBQ. Allow them to sit for as long as you like before smoking! The longer you leave the rub, the more intense the flavor becomes.
Step 7: Smoke Your Stuffed Chicken Breasts
- Smoke at 225°F until the internal temperature hits 165°F. This will depend on the size of your chicken breasts. Mine were fairly large (about 350g per breast) so it took about 3.5-4 hours of smoking.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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