Mastering Bbq Chicken On Your Traeger Grill

There are many ways to cook BBQ chicken on a Traeger grill, and it can be a simple, tasty meal for any night of the week. You can cook chicken breasts, legs, thighs, or a whole chicken. You can also choose from a variety of rubs, marinades, and sauces to flavour your chicken, such as Traeger Fin & Feather Rub, Traeger Apricot Sauce, or a traditional dry rub. The cooking time will depend on the cut of chicken and the temperature of the grill, but it typically takes around 20-30 minutes to cook chicken on a Traeger.

How to cook BBQ chicken on a Traeger

Chicken preparation and seasoning

Firstly, choose your chicken cut. You can opt for chicken breasts, legs, thighs, or even a whole chicken. Each cut will have a slightly different preparation method, so be sure to select the right instructions for your chosen cut. For example, if you're using chicken thighs, you'll want to start by rinsing them with water and patting them dry.

Next, you'll want to season the chicken generously. Traeger offers a range of rubs and seasonings specifically designed for chicken, such as the Traeger Fin & Feather Rub, the Blackened Saskatchewan Rub, or the Traeger Chicken Rub. You can also make your own rub or marinade. A basic dry rub could include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. If you're feeling adventurous, try a tangy marinade of lime juice, lemon juice, olive oil, cilantro, salt, and minced garlic cloves.

If you're using a store-bought or homemade marinade, you'll need to allow the chicken to marinate for a few hours or even overnight. Place the chicken in a ziplock bag or a bowl, cover it with the marinade, and refrigerate it. The length of time needed for marinating depends on the type of marinade; an acidic marinade should only be used for up to 12 hours, while a basic marinade can be used for 2 to 3 hours.

Once your chicken is seasoned or marinated, it's ready to be placed on the Traeger grill. Follow the specific instructions for your chosen Traeger recipe, including preheating the grill to the recommended temperature and cooking the chicken until it reaches the desired internal temperature.

Remember to always handle raw chicken with care, ensuring you wash your hands and any utensils that come into contact with it.

Grill temperature

For chicken breasts, a higher grill temperature is recommended. Set your Traeger temperature to 450°F-500°F and preheat with the lid closed for about 15 minutes. The chicken breasts will need to grill for approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on their size, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. This higher temperature will give you juicy and tender chicken with attractive grill marks.

If you are cooking chicken thighs, the ideal temperature is slightly lower. Set your grill to 400°F. Bone-in chicken thighs will take around 35 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 155-160°F at this temperature. Boneless skinless chicken thighs will cook faster, usually within 15-20 minutes.

When preparing BBQ chicken legs, a two-step cooking process is recommended. First, smoke the drumsticks at a lower temperature of 180°F for 30 minutes to infuse them with flavour. Then, increase the grill temperature to 350°F and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes. Brush the BBQ sauce onto the chicken during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

If you are cooking a whole chicken, the Traeger temperature should be set to 375°F. Spatchcock the chicken by removing the backbone and pressing down on the breastbone to flatten it. This ensures even cooking. Brush the chicken with olive oil, season, and grill for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Apply the BBQ sauce and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Let the chicken rest, and the internal temperature will rise to 165°F.

Remember, these temperatures and cooking times may vary slightly depending on your specific Traeger model and personal preferences for doneness. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken to ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness. Enjoy experimenting with different grill temperatures to find the perfect BBQ chicken recipe for your Traeger grill!

Cooking time

The cooking time for BBQ chicken on a Traeger grill varies depending on the cut of chicken and the temperature setting.

For chicken breasts, the Traeger temperature should be set to 500°F and preheated for 15 minutes. The chicken should then be grilled for 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. This will take smaller 6-8oz breasts around 20-25 minutes, while larger 10-12oz breasts will take 25-30 minutes.

For chicken drumsticks, the Traeger should be set to 180°F and preheated for 15 minutes. The drumsticks should then be smoked for 30 minutes, before increasing the temperature to 350°F and cooking for a further 30 minutes. The chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

For spatchcocked chicken, the Traeger should be set to 375°F and preheated for 15 minutes. The chicken should then be cooked for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

For chicken thighs, the Traeger should be set to the Smoke setting and preheated for 4-5 minutes. The temperature should then be increased to 400°F and the chicken cooked for around 35 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 155-160°F. Boneless skinless chicken thighs will take less time, around 15-20 minutes.

Applying BBQ sauce

When it comes to applying BBQ sauce to your chicken on the Traeger, timing is everything. You don't want to put the sauce on too early, as it will burn and become bitter. You also don't want to put it on too late, as you want the sauce to have time to cook and set, creating a nice glaze.

For chicken breasts, wait until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, then brush on the BBQ sauce and cook for another 5 minutes. For chicken drumsticks, the temperature should be 165°F before applying the sauce, and then cook for an additional 10 minutes.

The type of BBQ sauce you choose can also make a difference. Some sauces are thinner and will require less time to cook, while others are thicker and may need a little longer. You can also mix and match your sauces, creating a unique flavour profile. For example, you could combine Traeger Apricot Sauce, Traeger 'Que Sauce, and Traeger Texas Spicy BBQ Sauce, or go for a simple store-bought option.

If you're feeling creative, you can even make your own BBQ sauce from scratch. This allows you to customise the flavour to your liking and control the ingredients used. However, it does require some additional time and effort.

Finally, don't forget to let your chicken rest after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that your chicken stays moist and flavourful. Enjoy!

Resting and serving

Once your BBQ chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest. The resting time varies depending on the cut of chicken. For example, chicken breasts should rest for 5 minutes, while a whole spatchcocked chicken should rest for 10 minutes. During this time, the internal temperature of the chicken will continue to rise. For instance, the whole chicken will reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F during the resting period.

After resting, your Traeger BBQ chicken is ready to serve and enjoy. You can slice or dice the chicken as needed for your chosen dish. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and used in salads, pasta, or other meals.

If you're serving grilled chicken breasts, you can pair them with sides like coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, or grilled herbed potatoes. For a Mexican-inspired meal, you can use the grilled chicken in tacos, burrito bowls, or "big as yo' face burritos."

For chicken thighs, you can reheat leftovers in an air fryer to maintain their crispiness. You can also use the leftovers in dishes like salads, pasta, or Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos.

Frequently asked questions