Smoked Chicken Thighs

Smoked Chicken Thighs – Tender and juicy chicken thighs seasoned with a simple dry rub and smoked to perfection! They are ready in under an hour, so they make a great dinner any night of the week.

If you have a smoker, are you anything like me? I almost always think of using the smoker for big cuts of meat like Smoked Baby Back Ribs or Smoked Chuck Roast. I forget about it for the small meats like Smoked Chicken Breast.

I am not sure why, because it is such a great way to make chicken that you can do during the week, You don’t need a whole day like you do other cuts of meat. You can get these smoked chicken thighs on the table in about an hour!

I love how EASY these chicken thighs are to make. You really just put them on the smoker and let them go. At the very end you add a little barbecue sauce, but that is it. I always make a big batch of my Best Dry Rub and have it in the pantry, so it is easy to take it out and sprinkle a little on the chicken. If you have a favorite rub or spice blend, you can definitely use it here!

What Kind Of Chicken Thighs

I like to use skinless chicken thighs. The skin can get very tough and leathery, so I find the chicken is more tender and delicious if you just start with skinless chicken.

Bone-In Vs. Boneless
You can really go either way. I like to boneless just for time sake. It takes about 45 minutes as opposed to closer to 60-75 minutes if they have the bone in. But you can’t go wrong either way!

How To Smoke Chicken Thighs

1. Preheat smoker to 225º F.
2. Generously season all sides of the chicken with your dry rub.
3. Add the chicken to the smoker and smoker for 45-60 minutes, until the internal temperature is 165º F.
4. Brush with barbecue sauce and cook for 5 minutes for the sauce to caramelize.
5. Remove and serve immediately.

How Long To Smoke Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs take about 45 minutes at 225º F if you are using boneless meat. The best way to know if they are done is to use a meat thermometer. I cook the chicken to 165º F, and then brush with sauce and let them cook for 5 more minutes.

I use the Thermapen Mk4 to check the temperature of the meat throughout the cooking process. It is the most accurate thermometer I have found and have been using it for years!

What Type Of Wood For Smoking Chicken

You want to use a light flavored wood because chicken will take on the flavor very quickly. Any time of fruit wood is typically what I use. Apple and Cherry are great, or even Oak works really well.

The next time you are at the store, be sure to stock up on chicken thighs. They go on sale often and are great to have on hand, so you can throw together a delicious meal in no time with almost no work!

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