If you’re a fan of chicken thighs, you should definitely try them smoked! Smoked chicken thighs taste incredible coated in a simple homemade seasoning, infused with your favorite smoke flavor, and slathered in BBQ sauce. Chicken thigh meat is so juicy and flavorful, you’ll love it even more fresh off the smoker!
Smoked Chicken Thighs
When it comes to serving meat to family and friends, you can never go wrong with chicken. Chicken is the most popular protein and for a good reason. The meat is nicely tender and the flavor is mild. Chicken is great with every other ingredient, seasoning, and sauce, so it’s always a safe choice.
On it’s own though, chicken can be quite boring. So I’m gonna show you how to take simple chicken thighs and turn them into something incredible with a mix of just 5 simple spices and a couple hours on the smoker.
Even without adding the BBQ sauce at the end, these chicken thighs will be juicy and full of flavor. But, I do love a nice coating of White BBQ Sauce on top. That first bite of warm, juicy smoked chicken smothered in your favorite BBQ sauce will send you straight to heaven!
QUICK SMOKING Q&A
What wood chips are best for smoking chicken?
This chicken will be good with just about any wood you choose. For mild and fruity flavor, use apple, maple, or cherry. For a strong wood flavor, use woodf chips like hickory or Jack Daniels blend. Just remember that mesquite wood is very strong and will be quite powerful, so think carefully before using it.
What temperature to smoke chicken?
I smoke just about everything at 225°. (When in doubt, always go with this standard temperature.)
How long does smoked chicken thighs take to smoke?
The exact time will depend on how thick or thin the chicken is. On average, it will take 2 1/2 – 3 hours (larger ones can take up to 4 hours). Try to get chicken thighs that are uniform in thickness and size that way they all cook at the same time. If you do have a variety in sizes, always judge by the largest one. (You can always pull the smallest chicken breasts off and let larger ones cook a little longer.)
How do I know that chicken is done?
Internal temperature is the best indicator that your meat is done. Technically, chicken is done when it reaches 165° internal temperature. I like to take chicken thighs to 170°-175° internal temperature.
How to take the temperature of bone-in meat?
Insert a digital probe thermometer into the thickest part of the piece of meat, diagonally, not touching the bone. If you touch the bone, pull back just a little bit. You want to get close to the bone to measure the temperature but not on the bone!
Seasoning For Smoked Chicken
Dark chicken meat, like chicken thighs, is naturally a flavorful and juicy cut of meat. You don’t need a ton of seasoning, especially if you will be using BBQ sauces at the end.
I use a simple mix of 5 seasonings, which is actually the base for most rubs and spice mixes. You will need garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, coarse salt, and paprika.
HOW TO SMOKE CHICKEN THIGHS
Prepare the smoker first and then take the time while the smoker is preheating to prep the chicken.
Set up your smoker and preheat it to 225°. I highly recommend including a water pan or water/drip pan to the lower rack of the smoker, under the meat. Use a digital oven thermometer to track the temperature on the grill grate.
Prepare chicken while the smoker is preheating. Combine seasonings in a small bow and mix well, until completely incorporated. Place chicken thighs into a mixing bowl, sprinkle seasoning all over and toss until all thighs are evenly coated.
Smoke the chicken. When the smoker is ready, place thicken on the grate of the smoker. Insert an instant digital read thermometer probe into the center of the thickest chicken, into the thickest part, diagonally, not touching the bone.
Close the lid immediately. Smoke chicken until it reaches 170° and take it off the grill. Tent the chicken with a sheet of aluminum foil loosely and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
If you wish, brush the thighs with your favorite BBQ sauce.
More Smoked Chicken Recipes
Smoked Chicken Drumsticks – so juicy and flavorful but when you add smoked flavor and amazing dry rub, it’s just perfection.
Whole Smoked Chicken – it is so much better than chicken roasted in the oven or rotisserie. It’s tender, incredibly juicy, and full of flavor.
Smoked Chicken Breast – this smoked chicken breast is so easy to make and full of flavor from the homemade seasoning mix and smoke infused into it.
Smoked Chicken Wings – These wings have a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley. With this simple seasoning, you can serve them with any of your favorite sauces.
Smoked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Seasoning:
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp coarse salt more or less to taste
- 1 1/2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Smoker:
- Prepare the smoker first and then take the time while the smoker is preheating to prep the chicken.
- Set up your smoker and preheat it to 225°. I highly recommend including a water pan or water/drip pan to the lower rack of the smoker, under the meat. Use a digital oven thermometer to track the temperature on the grill grate.
Prepare the Chicken:
- Combine seasonings in a small bow and mix well, until completely incorporated. Place chicken thighs into a mixing bowl, sprinkle seasoning all over and toss until all thighs are evenly coated.
Smoking Chicken:
- When the smoker is ready, insert an instant digital read thermometer probe into the center of the thickest chicken, into the thickest part, diagonally, not touching the bone. Place chicken on the grate of the smoker.
- Close the lid immediately. Smoke chicken until it reaches 170° and take it off the grill. Tent the chicken with a sheet of aluminum foil loosely and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
- If you wish, brush the thighs with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Nutrition
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