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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- Stovetop Mac and Cheese
- Homemade Rice-A-Roni
- Baked Potato Wedges
- Roasted Broccoli
- Foil Packet Asparagus
- Honey Cornbread
- Candied Carrots
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!
Smoked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs bone in, skin on chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons BBQ spice rub
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
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.
LT says
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!
Sharon says
I read all the comments so I did cook the thighs skin up and they were fantastic! Moist and tasty
Ben Hickey says
Can you use a coal based smoker to make this?
Sara says
Do you mean charcoal?
Mike says
Hardwood lump charcoal…yes!! And it’s delicious.
Erika r says
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!
Sara says
I always cook mine skin side up because the fat from the skin helps to keep the meat juicy as it cooks!
Erika says
Thank you!
bob vanderspiegel says
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.
Sara says
You just loosen it only on one side, leave the other three sides attached. It creates a pocket to hold the seasoning.
Deb says
First thing I tried in my new smoker and they came out awesome!
Julie says
What rice dish is shown in the photo? Looks yummy!
Sara says
It’s actually a boxed rice pilaf with sauteed peppers and corn mixed in!
Tiffany says
Anyone else find it cooks much faster than 2.5-3 hours. I’m almost wondering if I missed something.
Sara says
Are you using an electric smoker?
Steve says
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.
Lori says
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.
Keith says
Add a little cayenne pepper, pinch of cumin, and used coffee grinds to your rub!
Debbie says
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!
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
I’ve been wanting to get an electric smoker! Looks like I’ll be starting with this recipe.
Natalie says
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.
ali randall says
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!
Sara says
I have never made chicken thighs, but your recipe looks and sounds pretty yummy, so that is going to have to change!
Emily Watts says
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.
Jacqueline Debono says
These chicken thighs look so so good! I’ve been wanting to buy a smoker. Really need to do it asap!
James Ballantyne says
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..
Tawnie Kroll says
My brothers loved this recipe and request it any time we have family dinner!
Amy says
Gonna try this smoked chicken with some bbq sauce on buns. My mouth is watering!
Lauren Vavala | DeliciousLittleBites says
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!!
Jessica Formicola says
These chicken thighs look absolutely perfect! I can’t wait to try them this week!