These smoked chicken thighs are coated in a homemade spice rub then cooked in a smoker to tender and flavorful perfection. Serve these chicken thighs your favorite barbecue sauce for your next outdoor gathering!

Chicken thighs are an inexpensive and flavor filled cut of meat. They’re the perfect candidate for the smoker and are great for feeding a crowd. Serve your smoked chicken thighs with coleslaw and pasta salad for a complete meal.

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A plate of smoked chicken thighs coated in spice rub and barbecue sauce.

We just got an electric smoker and we are having so much fun with it! The first thing we made was these smoked chicken thighs, and let me tell you, they’re super delicious. This is a simple yet satisfying recipe, and it’s the perfect way to learn the basics of smoking meat.

How do you make smoked chicken thighs?

These chicken thighs are coated in a homemade BBQ rub, then go into the smoker until they’re cooked to tender perfection. Be sure to rub the spices both on top of and under the skin of the chicken for the maximum amount of flavor. Brush on a little barbecue sauce and dinner is ready! I like to use my own homemade BBQ sauce, but your favorite store bought brand will also work just fine.

Chicken thighs coated in spice rub.

How do you cook chicken in a smoker?

The chicken needs to smoke until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F. This takes approximately 2 1/2 – 3 hours depending on the size of your thighs. The recipe calls for a smoker temperature of 250 degrees F.

Smoked chicken thighs on a sheet pan.

Tips for smoked chicken thighs

  • You can really serve these smoked chicken thighs with just the rub as seasoning, but I do add a little barbecue sauce for added flavor and moisture. The barbecue sauce gets brushed onto the chicken during the last 10 minutes of the smoking process.
  • Make sure to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. You can also use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts if you prefer white meat.
  • I often make a double batch of this chicken because the leftovers are great to use in other dinners during the week. I make pulled chicken sandwiches, chicken salads, and this chicken is even great served on a pizza or in a pasta dish.
  • I prefer to use an electric probe thermometer with a remote so that I can monitor the progress of the chicken from inside the house.

What type of wood is best for smoking chicken?

I use apple wood to smoke chicken, which imparts a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Other great options are maple wood, cherry wood, or hickory.

A plate of smoked chicken thighs being basted with barbecue sauce.

What sides go with smoked chicken?

I like to serve a starch and a veggie alongside my smoked chicken. Some of my favorite options are

A serving of smoked chicken thighs served with rice and green beans.

This smoked chicken thighs recipe can be easily doubled or tripled, which makes it great for a crowd at a barbecue. So go ahead and load up that smoker to enjoy some restaurant quality smoked chicken in the comfort of your own home!

4.83 from 17 votes

Smoked Chicken Thighs

AuthorSara Welch
A plate of smoked chicken thighs coated in spice rub and barbecue sauce.
These smoked chicken thighs are coated in a homemade spice rub then cooked in a smoker to tender and flavorful perfection. Serve these chicken thighs your favorite barbecue sauce for your next outdoor gathering!
Time
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Serves 6

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Preheat an electric smoker to 250 degrees F. Add apple wood chips to the smoker.
  • Coat the chicken thighs with the rub, making sure to get the spices both on top of and underneath the skin.
  • Place the chicken in the smoker. Cook for 2 1/2 - 3 hours or until a thermometer registers 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the thighs. Be sure to check the smoker occasionally to see if the wood chips need to be refilled.
  • Brush the barbecue sauce over the chicken, then cook for an additional 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 389mg | Potassium: 374mg | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 205IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Hello! I’m Sara!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    First time smoking anything until today with this recipe using legs and thighs. They were AMAZING, flavorful and moist . No BBQ sauce needed and I would not change a thing!

  2. 5 stars
    Quick question! Do I do skin side down for crispier skin? I read that somewhere else but wanted your opinion since I just put your recipe on the Traeger. Thnks!

  3. How do you leave the skin on but yet put rub underneath the skin? I tried this and the skin just came off the part I put the rub under. Does not make sense.

    1. You just loosen it only on one side, leave the other three sides attached. It creates a pocket to hold the seasoning.

    1. About an hour. Was the skin on your tough? Is it supposed to be? Really good chicken meat for sure but I did something wrong on the skin.

      1. We always use fresh chicken such as Perdue or the air chilled chicken from Whole Foods or Sprouts to keep the skin from becoming chewy. Generally any chicken that has been frozen and thawed will have tough skin – we’ve been cooking in a smoker for years.

  4. 5 stars
    I made them with thighs and legs and they were so yummy! Put some corn on the cob also on the BBQ! A few cold beers and that was easy!

  5. 5 stars
    I’ve been wanting to get an electric smoker! Looks like I’ll be starting with this recipe.

  6. 5 stars
    Wow these chicken thighs look perfect. So flavorful and delicious. I just saved your BBQ spice rub recipe and this one. I can’t wait to give it a try. My family will love this.

  7. 5 stars
    Wow those chicken thighs look mouthwatering and this would make the ideal summer recipe for a crowd. My folks have a smoker so I will definitely be sharing this recipe with them. Looks delicious!

  8. I have never made chicken thighs, but your recipe looks and sounds pretty yummy, so that is going to have to change!

  9. Hi Sara,
    I was looking for a new dish as I invited my best friend this weekend. I find it. Thanks for sharing this. I am excited to make it.
    He loves chicken dishes. Thanks once again.

  10. 5 stars
    These chicken thighs look so so good! I’ve been wanting to buy a smoker. Really need to do it asap!

    1. Made this for my coworkers and I and added corn on the cob for my contribution for lunch the following day…
      They all loved it !!!
      James..

  11. 5 stars
    My fiance has a smoker and I would love if he made something like t his that I can eat too (he usually makes exotic things that I don’t want to go anywhere near lol) – will be passing this one along to him right now!!