Update: I’ve notice recently that this post gets a lot of hits. In fact, it’s the #3 post on my blog. But since posting it I’ve actually posted another Traeger Chicken recipe that I like better. So I thought I’d add links to that recipe here for those who want to compare recipes before the cook-out starts. It’s called Dueling Chickens – two different styles of whole chicken on the Traeger.
I think I’ve mentioned a time or two on Recipe Friday that our Traeger pellet stove quit working last summer, and in spite of several calls to tech support my husband was unable to get it fixed. He was told that it was a fuse, but each time he replaced the fuse it would blow again. I was starting to worry that we would have another whole summer without the Traeger.
Then two weekends ago we went to Costco and they happened to be having a Traeger event! (If you aren’t familiar with Costco, their events are where they have various vendors come in for a limited time to set up their wares to sell at discounted prices.) They had three sizes of Traeger, including the one we have (that doesn’t work). They had great prices — 40% off the regular retail price! We decided we had to get one, but agreed that if we did then we would have to not eat out all summer. So every time someone mentions eating out, the other will suggest something on the Traeger instead.
The first week we had steaks and chicken, but I was just so excited about dinner each of those nights that I forgot to take any pictures or think about the recipes. Then last weekend my sister came to visit and we made some yummy things both nights she was here — pork chops one night and hamburgers the other — but again, I forgot to take pictures.
So the other night we had chicken again, and when my husband walked in the door from work he said he could smell it in the front yard already. I took some pictures right after I put the chicken breasts on the Traeger. But it smelled so good when it was done and I was so hungry, I forgot to take pictures of the finished product! Well, I decided the two pictures I had will have to do. And the recipe is simple. It really is the Traeger that is the most important ingredient. Sometimes I think you could throw a piece of shoe leather on the Traeger and it would turn out delicious! (Okay, that might be exaggerating a bit, but you get the idea.)
Traeger Chicken
Ingredients:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Traeger Pork and Poultry Shake
Directions:
Pre-heat Traeger to 350°. Rinse chicken breasts and trim any excess fat or gristle. Rub each breast with Traeger Pork and Poultry Shake. (You can actually use any spices you like for chicken, but on this particular night, I used the Traeger Shake.) Place the chicken breasts on the grill. Cook for 20 minutes and turn. Cook for another 20 – 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. The cooking time depends on the thickness of the chicken pieces.
Note about quantity: I always get the value pack of chicken, in this case the package I bought was almost 4 pounds. Leftover Traeger chicken works great in other dishes, such as a rice skillet, chicken salad, or chicken alfredo. Plus I’ll get two day’s lunch out of this dinner. Mmmmmmm, Traeger!