Quick Answer
The recommended internal temperature for chicken breasts to be considered safely cooked and done on a Pit Boss pellet grill is 165°F. Chicken breasts should register 165°F on a food thermometer when tested at the thickest part. This ensures any bacteria that could cause foodborne illness is killed.
What is the Done Temperature for Chicken Breasts?
Chicken breasts are considered safely cooked and ready to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. This temperature has been validated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as hot enough to kill potentially harmful bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter that could be present.
Cooking chicken to 165°F destroys these and other pathogens, making the chicken safe to consume. Chicken cooked below this temperature runs the risk of harboring bacteria that can lead to food poisoning or gastrointestinal illness if the undercooked chicken is eaten.
USDA Recommended Minimum Internal Temperatures
| Food | Safe Minimum Internal Temperature |
|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | 165°F |
| Ground chicken | 165°F |
| Whole chicken | 165°F |
| Chicken thighs | 165°F |
| Chicken wings | 165°F |
| Chicken legs | 165°F |
| Duck breasts | 165°F |
| Ground turkey | 165°F |
| Turkey breast | 165°F |
As you can see from the USDA recommendations, all types of chicken and turkey should reach 165°F minimum before they are considered safely cooked and ready to eat.
How to Tell When Chicken Breasts are Done on a Pellet Grill
There are a few ways to determine when chicken breasts are fully cooked to the safe internal temperature of 165°F on a pellet grill:
Use an Instant Read Thermometer
The most reliable way is to use an instant read digital food thermometer. To check for doneness, insert the thermometer probe into the thickest part of the chicken breast, making sure it is not touching any bones. Let it sit for 15-20 seconds until the temperature reading stabilizes. It should read 165°F or higher. Check temperature in multiple spots to confirm doneness.
Look for Visual Cues
Visual signs that indicate chicken is thoroughly cooked include:
- The meat is no longer pink and juices run clear when pierced with a fork.
- The chicken breasts have pulled away from the bone (if bone-in).
- The meat is firm when pressed.
However, visual cues can sometimes be unreliable, so checking with a thermometer is recommended.
Use the Pit Boss Grill Probe
Many Pit Boss pellet grills come with a built-in meat probe thermometer. You can insert this probe into the thickest part of the chicken breast and set the grill’s temperature controller to your target temp of 165°F. Once the probe reaches this temp, the grill will alert you that the chicken is done cooking.
This takes the temperature guesswork out and ensures the chicken is cooked to the proper doneness.
Tips for Cooking Chicken Breasts on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
Here are some tips to achieve perfectly cooked, juicy chicken breasts on your Pit Boss every time:
- Pat the chicken breasts dry before seasoning and grilling. This helps get a nice sear.
- Use a mild wood pellet flavor like apple or maple so it doesn’t overpower the chicken.
- Cook at medium to medium-high heat, around 350-375°F.
- Avoid flipping the breasts too often. Cook each side for 4-6 minutes until done.
- Brush with sauce or glaze during the last 5-10 minutes if desired.
- Allow the chicken to rest 5 minutes before serving for juicier meat.
Properly prepping and monitoring the temperature are the keys to perfect chicken every time on your pellet grill.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Chicken Breasts on a Pit Boss?
Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the breasts and heat level, but in general chicken breasts take about 15-25 minutes at medium heat on a Pit Boss pellet grill to reach 165°F internal temperature.
Here are some approximate grill times for chicken breasts:
| Chicken Breast Thickness | Grill Time Per Side | Total Grill Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 inch thin | 4-5 minutes | 8-10 minutes |
| 3/4 inch average | 5-6 minutes | 10-12 minutes |
| 1 inch thick | 6-7 minutes | 12-14 minutes |
| 1 1/2 inch very thick | 8-9 minutes | 16-18 minutes |
Always use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F doneness rather than relying solely on grill times. Cook a little longer if the chicken hasn’t yet reached the safe minimum internal temperature.
Tips for Grilling Juicy Chicken Breasts
The key to juicy, flavorful chicken breasts off the grill is proper preparation and monitoring:
- Pound breasts to an even thickness so they cook evenly.
- Brine the chicken in saltwater or buttermilk before grilling.
- Pat the chicken dry and coat lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Season ahead of time and let sit while the grill preheats so seasoning absorbs.
- Sear the breasts over direct high heat first, then move to indirect heat to finish cooking.
- Flip only once during cooking.
- Pull the chicken off the grill when it reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Tent loosely with foil and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Following these best practices will result in tender, juicy chicken breasts every time you use your Pit Boss pellet grill.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to end up with dry, overcooked chicken if you aren’t careful. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Putting cold chicken directly onto a hot grill. Let it sit out to lose chill before cooking.
- Forgetting to pat the skin dry. Moisture on the skin will prevent browning.
- Flipping the chicken too often. This leads to loss of juices.
- Overcooking and not following temperature guidelines.
- Not allowing chicken to rest before slicing into it.
With the right techniques and temperature monitoring, you can avoid these issues and cook moist, flavorful chicken breasts every time on your Pit Boss pellet grill.
Conclusion
Chicken breasts are considered safely cooked and ready to eat once they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. The best way to ensure chicken breasts cooked on a Pit Boss pellet grill reach this proper doneness temperature is to monitor with a good digital meat thermometer. Cook the chicken at a medium heat, avoid over-flipping, and allow the meat to rest after grilling. Follow these tips and you will be able to grill incredibly juicy, delicious chicken breasts to perfection every time. Enjoy your perfectly cooked chicken!