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smoked chicken thighs
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5 stars from 1 review

Smoked Chicken Thighs + Video

Smoked Chicken Thighs are coated in a homemade dry rub then smoked to flavorful, crispy, juicy perfection. Try my easy recipe on any smoker!
Author: Donna Elick
Servings: 4
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon New Mexico chile powder
  • 2 teaspoons light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup bbq sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat the smoker to 275°F. Choose your favorite wood, I am using my favorite blend of oak, maple and hickory on my pellet smoker.
  • Trim any excess skin off of the chicken thighs, set aside.
  • In a small bowl mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, paprika, chile powder, and brown sugar. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken, set aside.
  • Once the smoker is to temperature, place the chicken thighs directly on to the grates, skin side up. Close the lid and cook for 45 minutes or until the thighs reach an internal temperature of about 140°F. Turn the thighs over and baste it with the bbq sauce. Turn them back over, skin side up, and brush with bbq sauce. Close the lid and cook for an additional 45 minutes or until the chicken thighs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Video

Notes

The smoking time depends on the size and the type of smoker you're using. It's really best to smoke the thighs based on the internal temperature reading using a meat thermometer.
This recipe calls for a temperature of 275F. At that temperature, you will need to cook them for about one hour and 35 minutes.
This is the time and temperature if you are using bone-in chicken thighs. If you are cooking boneless chicken thighs, you will need to cook them for slightly less time.
To smoke boneless chicken thighs, preheat your smoker to 225F and cook them for about 55 minutes. Remember, they are done when your meat thermometer shows an internal temperature of 165°F.
Don't rely on just the time to determine when your meat is cooked.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 320cal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 751mg | Sugar: 14g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg