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I’m a big fan of easy smoker recipes. Even though I love firing up the smoker for a long brisket or rib smoke, sometimes is’s nice to fire it up for a food that’s a little easier and doesn’t take quite as long.
Today I’m going to share with you a delicious smoked chicken thighs recipe that’s simple and sure to please the crowd. All of the rub ingredients that you need for classic, year-round BBQ smoked chicken thighs recipe can be found in the pantry.
In addition, I’ll share all of the knowledge you need to know to help you become a bona fide chicken thigh smoking expert. Let’s get into it!
Smoked Chicken Thighs – Overview
First it’s important to understand what makes chicken thighs one of the best meats to smoke. Compared to chicken breast, chicken thighs are naturally much higher in fat content, and as such remain moist and are much more flavorful than chicken breast.
When we put thighs on the smoker, the goal is to bring out as much of the flavor as possible while retaining as much juice as possible. Chicken thighs absorb flavor really well, so they can be infused with that delicious smokey BBQ flavor on the smoker in a relatively short amount of time.
The other component to delicious smoked chicken thighs is your rub. A rub is simply a mix of seasoning and flavoring ingredients that are combined and applied to the outside of your meat before it goes on the cooker. Our rub recipe is simple, to the point, and delicious, but more on that later.
Lastly, it’s important to have an understanding of the role that the skin during the smoking process. When you buy your chicken thighs at the store, they will more than likely have the skin still attached.
Whether or not you prefer to remove the skin before eating, you’ll want to cook your thighs with the skin on. The reason is because the skin helps to absorb and impart flavor onto your food, and also helps to retain moisture levels.
If you want to take your smoked chicken thighs to the next level of flavor, you can also place them in the oven for a few minutes on high heat at the end to crisp the outer skin!
How to Make Smoked Chicken Thighs
Before you get started preparing your chicken, it makes the most logistical sense to get your smoker started. Light your fire and preheat your smoker to 250°F. If you’re unsure of which type of fuel to use, we recommend using hickory, apple, or cherry wood (or any combination thereof) to help flavor your smoke. All of these types of woods work beautifully with chicken.
Lump charcoal is also a great option to fuel your fire, which comes in different types of wood flavors. Lump charcoal is great because it burns incredibly clean and is considered the most “organic” type of fuel for your smoker.
While your smoker preheats, it’s a great time to trim a little bit of fat off of your chicken thighs, if necessary. Remember, we don’t want to take off the skin – just any excessive overhanging sections of fat.
From there, it’s time to put together your spice rub. We’ll share our favorite rub below that uses common pantry ingredients, but you can also feel free to use your own!
It’s very important that you generously apply your rub to your chicken thighs! One of the mistakes many beginners make is under doing it – remember, chicken thighs can absorb a lot of flavor and the goal is to get the most out of the meat. Rub both sides of the meat and get some under the skin too.
After your chicken has been thoroughly seasoned, it’s time to go on the smoker.
Things You’ll Need
There are a few different pieces of equipment you’ll need to smoke chicken thighs. First and foremost, you’ll obviously need a smoker if you don’t have one already. There are quite a few different types of smokers out there, many of which are capable of smoking delicious chicken!
Personally, my favorites are kamado smokers or offset smokers, but you can also make delicious food with a pellet smoker, electric smoker, or gas smoker.
You’ll also want to use a probe thermometer to help you gauge when your thighs are done. If you don’t own one, now is the time to pick one up! It’s an incredibly important tool for any pit master.
With 165 feet of range and a dual sensor probe, it doesn't get much easier or more accurate than the Meater Plus.
Since you smoke foods with low temperatures, it can be hard to tell exactly when food is safely cooked all the way through. Typically chicken thighs cook on the smoker for an hour and a half to two hours, but really you’re cooking them until they reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F. The only way to know for sure is by utilizing a probe thermometer.
Traeger Chicken Thighs
Traeger grills are well known for cooking delicious chicken thighs. The wood-fired flavor by Traeger grills enhances the taste of the chicken, making it so delicious. You can grill smoke or roast them perfectly.
Chicken Thighs on Traeger
Cooking chicken thighs on a Traeger grill is super easy. With proper temperature control and consistent heat distribution, Traeger grills ensure that the chicken thighs cook evenly and stay juicy. Just season the thighs to your liking and place them on the preheated grill. Grill, smoke, or roast the thighs until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Grilling chicken thighs on a Traeger at 400°F (204°C) is a popular cooking method as well. The high heat creates a beautifully charred exterior while locking in the chicken’s natural juices. It takes about 20-25 minutes to grill the thighs at this temperature, but always use a meat thermometer to ensure they’re fully cooked through.
Bone-In Chicken Thighs Traeger
Using bone-in chicken thighs on a Traeger grill adds extra flavor and moisture to the meat. The bone helps retain juices and enhances the overall taste. Season the bone-in thighs to your liking and grill, smoke, or roast them on the Traeger until they are cooked through.
Ninja Woodfire Grill Chicken Recipes
The Ninja Woodfire grill makes delicious chicken recipes. From a classic grilled chicken thigh to creative wood-fired chicken thigh, the Ninja Woodfire grill is great. We recommend experimenting with different marinades, rubs, and wood types.
Best Temp to Smoke Chicken Thighs
The ideal temperature to smoke chicken thighs is around 225°F (107°C). Smoking at this temperature allows the chicken to absorb the smoky flavor while slowly rendering the fat and tenderizing the meat. Plan for about 1.5 to 2 hours of smoking time.
Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe
BBQ Smoked Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 pcs Chicken Thighs
- Olive Oil to baste chicken
Rub Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Paprika
- 1 tbsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tbsp Garlic Salt
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Mustard Powder
- 1/2 tbsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar light
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 250°F. Add hickory, apple, or cherry wood for extra flavor, if desired
- Thoroughly combine rub ingredients in a bowl
- Apply a thin outer coat of olive oil to all of the chicken thighs
- Apply a generous amount of rub to each chicken thigh. Be sure to coat both sides and under the skin with rub
- Put your seasoned thighs on the smoker
- Smoke thighs until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Measure internal temperature with a probe thermometer. Cooking time will typically between 1.5 to 2 hours
- Remove from smoker. If you want to crisp the outer skin, place thighs on a baking sheet and place in 400°F oven for 3 to 4 minutes
- Let thighs rest at room temperature for 20 minutes
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about smoking chicken thighs:
How Long Do You Smoke Chicken Thighs?
There is no set time for how long you smoke chicken thighs. Typically, smoking chicken thighs takes about 1.5 to 2 hours when smoking at 250°F, but you should be cooking until they reach a safe internal temperature without regard to how long they’ve been on the smoker.
Which Type of Wood Should I Use?
The type of wood you use in your fire can make a big difference on the outcome of your flavor. Each type of wood produces different flavored smoke – some are ideal for chicken and some are not. Here are some hardwoods that work great with chicken:
- Hickory (great all purpose BBQ wood)
- Apple
- Cherry
- Maple
- Oak
- 100% natural - pure, dense South American hardwood blend
- Low ash and superior burn (max temperatures over 1,100ºF
- Waterproof & dustproof packaging with carry handle and zip top closure
There are other woods that are suitable, but these are the best. Also, you should stay away from the following:
- Mesquite (great for smoking but too strong on smokey flavor – it would overpower chicken)
- Softwoods (completely unsafe for cooking)
- Any chemically treated wood
How Do I Get Crispy Skin?
Crispy skin is the perfect compliment to tasty, juicy insides of your chicken thighs. In order to achieve crispy skin, you’ll need to expose your food to high heat for a small amount of time.
This can be done either on the grill or in your oven after you’re done smoking chicken thighs. Either way, crank up your heat to 400°F. Place your chicken on the grill grates or on a baking pan if using the oven. Place in the heat for about 4 minutes, then remove, serve, and enjoy!
Which Sides?
One of the best parts of any BBQ meal is the sides! This BBQ smoked chicken thighs recipe is no different. Here are some of our favorite complimentary side dishes for this wonderful meal:
- Coleslaw
- Potato Salad
- Mac and Cheese
- Cornbread
- Green Beans
- Baked Potato
- Fries
- Baked Beans
Can You Overcook Chicken Thighs?
Yes! Chicken thighs, as with any other type of food, can be overcooked. This is easier to do than you may think, and can happen for several reasons. Overcooked chicken does not make for a pleasant eating experience (unless your goal is some chicken jerky, of course).
Often, when chicken thighs are overcooked it is because they have been left to cook for too long. Another reason may be that the heat is too high. It may even be a mixture of both of these reasons!
To avoid overcooking your chicken thighs, ensure they are at the right temperature and cooked for the right amount of time. They can handle longer and hotter than other types of chicken such as the breast, but that doesn’t mean you should just leave them at a high temperature for a long time.
The ideal temperature for chicken thighs is between 175 and 195 degrees Fahrenheit. They can take between 20 to 30 miniatures if they are boneless thighs, or around 15 minutes more if the bone is left in.
How Do You Make Smoked Chicken Skin Crispy?
Smoking meat is a very popular way of cooking. However, when it comes to smoked chicken thighs, people often desire to have the best of both worlds – smoky flavors but crispy outer textures. Luckily this is possible but it can take some practice.
Usually, smoking meat requires a ‘low and slow’ approach. This means that you keep the temperature low and cook it slowly. However, this is not ideal to get a crispy texture. As such, you may find that the best option is to use a higher heat.
You should try and smoke your chicken at a starting temperature of 225 degrees and then raise this to 300 degrees later on.
You could also sear your chicken before it goes on the smoker – or do the reverse sear and give your thighs a sear after they’re finished smoking.
You should also keep in mind that any moisture will be detrimental to crispiness. As such, avoid using olive oil and other liquids on the chicken. Use only powdered ingredients to rub it, and pat the chicken dry first.
Do I Need to Flip Chicken When Smoking?
The answer to this is: it depends! There is a lot of debate over whether meat needs to be flipped when it is in the smoker. The truth is, much of this is down to personal preference.
As a rule, the bigger the piece of meat, the more it should be flipped. With this in mind, if your chicken is a whole, large chicken, then it may need to be flipped.
The reasoning behind this is that oftentimes, larger pieces of meat will require the wood chunks to be changed, allowing you to flip the meat at the same time to ensure an even cook.
On the other hand, if your chicken is small, or if they are chicken thighs or wings, you will not need to flip them. That being said, you can flip them if you prefer to.
How Do You Keep Chicken Moist When Smoking?
When you are smoking chicken and you want to keep it moist, the best thing to do is to cook it at a low temperature and ensure you take your time. This is called the low and slow technique.
Unlike the actions we recommended earlier for crisping your chicken, cooking low and slow will ensure the moisture stays inside and doesn’t evaporate quickly.
You may also want to consider using marinades and rubs that have moisture-packed ingredients such as olive oil and other sauces.
This will keep it moisturized for longer and keep the meat moist. In turn, the resulting smoked chicken will be falling apart and will taste delicious.
Can you Cook Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Thighs on a Smoker?
Bacon-wrapped chicken thighs smoker style has a combination of smoky, savory, and crispy goodness. To make it, I would wrap seasoned chicken thighs with bacon strips and secure them with toothpicks. Smoke the bacon-wrapped thighs at a low temperature for about 2 to 2.5 hours until the bacon becomes crispy and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Final Thoughts
Man, my mouth is watering now that I’ve got smoked chicken thighs on my mind! At the end of the day, smoking chicken thighs is a practical and delicious way to get use out of your smoker. The ingredients are all cheap, and as far as smoker recipes go – this one takes the least time and delivers tasty results.
Remember, you can substitute your favorite rub or seasonings for ours to customize your experience! It’s really hard to go wrong with smoking chicken thighs.
Did you try our recipe out? How’d it go? We want to hear about it – reach out to us in the comments section below.
If you don’t have a smoker, not a problem! Check out our guide for how long to grill chicken next.
