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Smoked Chicken Thighs

How to make the best smoked chicken thighs at home! Juicy, flavorful, and fall-off-the-bone tender. An easy recipe for smoking chicken thighs!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
2 hrs
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Calories: 656 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Chicken Thighs, Smoking, and Basting
  • 2 ½ pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs about 6
  • charcoal pellets, or whatever fuels your smoker, we use hardwood lump charcoal
  • Wood chips or chunks such as pecan, apple, or oak
  • ⅓ cup homemade barbecue sauce or your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Rub
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves or cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Remove the chicken thighs from the refrigerator, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and pat dry.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the rub ingredients: brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder chili powder, cumin, black pepper, cloves, and cayenne.
  3. Rub all over the chicken, working some of the rub underneath the skin. Let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature while you prepare the smoker.
  4. Heat your smoker to 225°F. Prior to lighting, add the wood, mixing it with the charcoal. It’s OK if your smoker gets a bit hotter than 225°F; just note that the chicken will cook more quickly. Do not cook it any lower than 225°F or the skin will be rubbery.
  5. Add the chicken thighs skin-side up and smoke until they reach 165°F on an instant-read thermometer inserted at the thickest part, 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes depending upon the size of your thighs, your smoker set up, and how much your smoker temperature is fluctuating. Smoke to temperature, not to time on the clock.
  6. While the chicken is smoking, heat together the barbecue sauce and butter, stirring until the butter melts completely. Once the chicken reaches around 150°F (about 40 minutes in), baste the chicken all over with the sauce, then continue smoking until the chicken reaches 165°F.
  7. Remove the chicken from the smoker. Tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes. If you'd like to crisp the skin, place the chicken under the oven broiler for a few minutes just before serving.

Notes

  • TO STORE: Store leftover smoked chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • TO REHEAT: Loosely cover the chicken thighs with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, or warm carefully in the microwave. 
  • TO FREEZE: Store smoked chicken thighs for up to 2 months in the freezer. Wrap them well and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw the smoked chicken thighs overnight in the refrigerator before reheating according to the instructions above.
  • TO STORE: Store leftover smoked chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • TO REHEAT: Loosely cover the chicken thighs with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, or warm carefully in the microwave. 
  • TO FREEZE: Store smoked chicken thighs for up to 2 months in the freezer. Wrap them well and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw the smoked chicken thighs overnight in the refrigerator before reheating according to the instructions above.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1(of 4) Calories 656kcal (33%) Carbohydrates 19g (6%) Protein 40g (80%) Fat 46g (71%) Saturated Fat 14g (70%) Polyunsaturated Fat 9g Monounsaturated Fat 18g Trans Fat 0.4g Cholesterol 251mg (84%) Potassium 642mg (18%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 1488IU (30%) Vitamin C 0.4mg (0%) Calcium 51mg (5%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4-6 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 656

% Daily Value*

Serving 1(of 4)
Calories 656kcal 33%
Carbohydrates 19g 6%
Protein 40g 80%
Fat 46g 71%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9g 53%
Monounsaturated Fat 18g 90%
Trans Fat 0.4g 20%
Cholesterol 251mg 84%
Potassium 642mg 14%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 1488IU 30%
Vitamin C 0.4mg 0%
Calcium 51mg 5%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.