How to Cook Juicy Chicken Breasts on Your Pit Boss Pellet Grill (Ultimate Guide)

Ever stared at some chicken breasts wondering how to make them taste amazing on your Pit Boss? You’re not alone! Chicken breasts can be tricky – one minute too long and they’re dry as cardboard. But I’ve got good news – your Pit Boss pellet grill is the perfect tool for creating juicy, flavorful chicken breasts every single time.

After countless experiments (and yes, a few failures), I’ve perfected the method for cooking chicken breasts on a Pit Boss pellet grill that’ll have your family and friends begging for seconds. Let’s dive into everything you need to know!

Why Cook Chicken Breasts on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill?

Before we get to the how-to, let’s talk about why the Pit Boss is so great for chicken

• Even cooking – The convection-style heating ensures even cooking throughout
• Flavor infusion – Wood pellets add amazing smoky flavor you can’t get in an oven
• Healthier option – Grilling is generally healthier than frying
• Versatility – You can smoke, grill, or do a combination of both
• Set-and-forget convenience – Less babysitting than traditional grills

Best Pellets for Chicken Breasts

One of the best things about using a Pit Boss is the flavor from wood pellets. For chicken breasts, I recommend:

• Apple – Mild, slightly sweet flavor perfect for chicken
• Cherry – Adds a beautiful color and mild sweetness
• Hickory – Stronger smoke flavor (use sparingly)
• Competition Blend – Great all-around option

Remember, chicken absorbs smoke flavor quickly! A little goes a long way, especially with milder-tasting chicken breasts.

Prepping Your Chicken Breasts

Dry Brining (Optional but Recommended)

For extra juicy chicken breasts, try dry brining:

1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels
2. Sprinkle kosher salt liberally over all surfaces
3. Place on a wire rack in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 4-24 hours
4. When ready to cook, there’s no need to rinse off the salt

Dry brining helps the meat retain moisture during cooking and also helps skin get crispy if you’re using skin-on chicken breasts.

Marinades and Seasonings

There are countless ways to season chicken breasts. Here are some tried-and-true options:

Simple Seasoning (My Go-To):

• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Asian-Inspired Marinade:

• ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic (grated)
• 1-inch fresh ginger root, grated
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Classic BBQ Rub:

• ¼ cup dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup paprika
• 1 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ½ tablespoon garlic powder
• ½ tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)

For marinades, I like to place the chicken in a ziplock bag with the marinade and let it sit in the fridge for at least 5-6 hours or overnight. Just don’t marinate for more than 24 hours as the acids can start breaking down the meat too much.

Setting Up Your Pit Boss Pellet Grill

Now let’s get cooking! Here’s how to set up your Pit Boss:

1. Load the hopper with your chosen wood pellets
2. Start the grill by turning it to the “Smoke” setting with the lid open
3. Wait for the white smoke to appear, then let it run for 5-7 minutes until the smoke turns clearer/bluer
4. Set temperature to 350°F for standard cooking (or 300°F for a slightly slower cook with more smoke flavor)
5. Optional: Place a small water pan on one side of the grill for extra moisture

What P-Setting to Use?

The P-setting controls how often pellets are fed into the firepot. For chicken breasts, the default P4 factory setting works great in most conditions. If you’re cooking on a cold day, you might want to adjust this setting to maintain temperature.

Cooking Chicken Breasts on the Pit Boss

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Once your grill has reached the set temperature, place chicken breasts on the grates
2. Pro tip: Place them on one side of the grill, not in the middle, leaving room for veggies or other sides
3. Insert a meat probe if you have one, or be prepared to check temp with an instant-read thermometer
4. Cook with the lid closed, only opening when necessary to check on progress

Cooking Temperature and Time

• Temperature: 350°F is ideal for chicken breasts
• Cooking time:
  • Boneless chicken breasts: about 20-30 minutes
  • Bone-in chicken breasts: about 30-60 minutes
  • Smaller chicken breasts: as little as 10-12 minutes

Remember, these times are estimates! The actual cooking time depends on:

• Size and thickness of the chicken breasts
• Whether they’re bone-in or boneless
• Your specific Pit Boss model
• Outside temperature and conditions

Should You Flip Chicken Breasts?

You can flip the chicken breasts once during cooking if you want grill marks on both sides. Wait until the meat turns white on the top, then flip once. Avoid flipping multiple times as this can dry out the meat.

The MOST Important Step: Temperature Monitoring

The absolute key to perfect chicken breasts is cooking to the right internal temperature. You NEED a good meat thermometer!

• Target temperature: 165°F for food safety
• Pro tip: For juicier breasts, you can pull them at 160°F and let carryover cooking bring them to 165°F during rest

Never guess if chicken is done! Undercooked chicken is unsafe, and overcooked chicken is dry and tough.

Finishing Touches

BBQ Sauce Application (Optional)

If you want to add BBQ sauce:

1. Wait until the chicken reaches about 150-155°F internally
2. Brush sauce onto all sides of the chicken
3. Continue cooking until the chicken reaches 165°F
4. For skin-on chicken, make sure the skin has crisped up BEFORE adding sauce

Resting Period (Don’t Skip This!)

Once your chicken breasts reach 165°F:

1. Remove them from the grill
2. Tent loosely with aluminum foil
3. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting

This resting period allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring moist, delicious chicken.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken breasts from your Pit Boss go well with so many sides:

• Smoked vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower)
• Smoked sweet potatoes
• Fresh salad
• Quinoa or rice
• Cut up and used as a salad topping

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: Dry chicken breasts
Solution: Don’t overcook! Use a meat thermometer and pull at 160-165°F. Also try dry brining or marinating.

Problem: Rubbery texture
Solution: Likely undercooked. Make sure to reach 165°F internal temperature.

Problem: Burnt outside, raw inside
Solution: Temperature too high. Lower to 325-350°F and cook more slowly.

Problem: Not enough smoke flavor
Solution: Try smoking at 180-200°F for 30 minutes before increasing temperature to finish cooking.

Final Tips for Perfect Pit Boss Chicken Breasts

1. Quality matters – Start with fresh, high-quality chicken breasts
2. Size consistency – Try to use similar-sized pieces for even cooking
3. Thermometer is non-negotiable – Don’t cook chicken without one!
4. Keep the lid closed – Every time you open it, heat and smoke escape
5. Let it rest – Seriously, don’t skip the resting period
6. Experiment – Try different woods, rubs, and cooking temps to find your perfect combo

Wrapping It Up

Cooking chicken breasts on your Pit Boss pellet grill isn’t rocket science, but there are definitely some tricks to getting it perfect. Remember that practice makes perfect – your first batch might not be flawless, but you’ll get better each time.

The beauty of the Pit Boss is its versatility and consistency. Once you’ve nailed your preferred method, you’ll be able to replicate it easily for family dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests at your next backyard BBQ.

What’s your favorite way to season chicken breasts? Have you tried any of these methods? I’d love to hear how your Pit Boss chicken turns out!

Happy grilling!

Cooking chicken on a Pit Boss at 350°F varies by cut: boneless, skinless chicken breasts take about 20-30 minutes for 7-8 minutes per side, while whole chicken or bone-in parts can take 1 to 2.5 hours, or roughly 20-25 minutes per pound for a whole bird.