Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe (Easy & Delicious!)

Who doesn’t need a smoked chicken thighs recipe at hand for all those barbecue gatherings in summer with friends and loved ones? So, I decided to bring you the best recipe I could find after in-depth research. I also found some super helpful tips like:

• one of the keys to great smoked chicken thighs is making sure that you have seasoned it properly with a great rub before it goes into the smoker.
• you most definitely want to use chicken thighs with skin. The fat from the skin also helps keep the chicken moist and adds so much flavor!
• this recipe has an awesome home-style flavor, and best of all, the chicken thighs are easy to make.
• when it comes to smoking the chicken, is best to use fruitwood like applewood or cherry wood for the best flavor. You can use either wood chips or wood chunks.

How to Make the Best Smoked Chicken Thighs

What I love about this recipe is the fact I can also prepare the thighs using the same ingredient list and instructions, but in the oven. Sometimes my whole family craves some smoked chicken thighs but neither of us is in the mood to use the giant smoker from the backyard. So, I just toss the rubbed and seasoned chicken thighs in the oven and use a smoked bbq sauce to achieve a similar taste.

This easy smoked chicken recipe is something that I love to make whenever my babies and hubby are at home for Sunday lunch. The three of them are big chicken fans and I also love to see them eating some substitute crispy strips from KFC. They are super excited about the texture of the chicken tights, as they are so crispy and delicious.

Simple Ingredient List

Here is the ingredient list for this smoked recipe. It is divided into two main parts: what you need for the sweet rub and the needed ingredients for the smoked sauce. In addition, I didn’t note how many chicken thighs you should use because that really depends on how many servings you want to have in the end.

• x bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (I prepared this recipe for 4 servings, however, you can adapt the number of thighs considering how many mouths you have to feed.);

Ingredients for the sweet rub:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar;
• 1 tbsp paprika;
• 2 tsp smoked paprika;
• 1 tbsp black pepper;
• 1 tbsp Kosher salt;
• 1/2 tbsp garlic powder;
• 1/2 tbsp onion powder;
• 1 tsp dry mustard powder.

Ingredients for the sweet smoked sauce:

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar;
• 1/4 water;
• 2 tbsp barbeque sauce.

Smoked Chicken Thighs Step-by-Step Recipe

Now, that you found out what ingredients you need in order to rock this flavored chicken thighs recipe, it’s time actually to start preparing it. It may seem a little complicated at first, so I recommend reading it first. It’s a lot easier to be able to predict the next step while cooking something.

1. First of all, preheat your smoker (oven, if you don’t want to go outside in the cold) to 275 degrees F.
2. Next, trim off any excess skin or extra thin chicken meat around the edges of the bone. Roll the chicken tightly into uniform pieces.

3. Season on all sides with the sweet rub prepared by mixing all the seasonings (you don’t need to use the entire amount of the ingredients as specified in the list, simply use enough to completely cover the chicken).

4. Next, place the chicken thighs on the smoker (or the oven, in my case), with their skin side up. Close the lid, and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. This will take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on how big the chicken thighs are.

5. After they are almost cooked, baste the chicken thighs with the premade sweet smoked sauce. Now, throw them again in the grill/oven for another 30 minutes.

6. Finally, remove them from the grill (or the oven in my case), and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes, while the smell will drive you nuts! Only now, you are ready to enjoy your homemade smoked chicken thighs!

The Best Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe

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What I love about this recipe is the fact I can also prepare the thighs using the same ingredient list and instructions, but in the oven. Sometimes my whole family craves some smoked chicken thighs but neither of us is in the mood to use the giant smoker from the backyard. So, I just toss the rubbed and seasoned chicken thighs in the oven and use a smoked bbq sauce to achieve a similar taste.

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• x bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (I prepared this recipe for 4 servings, however, you can adapt the number of thighs considering how many mouths you have to feed.);
• 1/2 cup brown sugar;
• 1 tbsp paprika;
• 2 tsp smoked paprika;
• 1 tbsp black pepper;
• 1 tbsp Kosher salt;
• 1/2 tbsp garlic powder;
• 1/2 tbsp onion powder;
• 1 tsp dry mustard powder;
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar;
• 1/4 water;
• 2 tbsp barbeque sauce.

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Instructions

1. First of all, preheat your smoker (oven, if you donțt want to go outside in the cold) to 275 degrees F.
2. Next, trim off any excess skin or extra thin chicken meat around the edges of the bone. Roll the chicken tightly into uniform pieces.
3. Season on all sides with the sweet rub prepared by mixing all the seasonings (you don’t need to use the entire amount of the ingredients as specified in the list, simply use enough to completely cover the chicken).
4. Next, place the chicken thighs on the smoker (or the oven, in my case), with their skin side up. Close the lid, and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. This will take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes depending on how big the chicken thighs are.
5. After they are almost cooked, baste the chicken thighs with the premade sweet smoked sauce. Now, throw them again in the grill/oven for another 30 minutes.
6. Finally, remove them from the grill (or the oven in my case), and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes, while the smell will drive you nuts! Only now, you are ready to enjoy your homemade smoked chicken thighs!

• Author: Rosie
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: main dish
• Method: oven baked
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: smoked chicken thighs

Enjoy Your Chicken!

Finally, as you surely already noticed, this is an incredibly versatile recipe and is also easy to double or triple for larger groups. In addition, please keep in mind that this crispy still juicy smoked chicken will be kept very well in the refrigerator, covered tightly, for three to five days, not that you are likely to have it around for that long. This is such a deliciously flavorful dish that I can guarantee it will disappear very quickly!

Last but not least, I will be super excited to find out what your opinion is on this recipe. Did you enjoy preparing it? What did your family think about the smoked chicken thighs? Did you prepare them using the smoker or did you go for the oven alternative, too? Also, if you have improved it, please let me know. Tell me everything in the comment section below.

In addition, if you need more chicken recipes, the next ones are some favorites of mine that are ready in no time: