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. This recipe is super easy. You likely have everything in your pantry already.
I used bone-in thighs this time because that is what I had on hand, but you could certainly use boneless chicken thighs if you like. You definitely want to make sure that you do not use skinless chicken thighs. The fat from the skin also helps keep the chicken moist and adds so much flavor!.
It doesn’t take long to prepare these babies, but you do have to be patient when you cook them. Unlike chicken that you are cooking on a grill, it takes time to smoke them in your smoker. Low and slow is always the mantra for smoking!.
How Long Should I Smoke Chicken Thighs? A Complete Guide
Chicken thighs are an underrated but delicious cut of meat that are perfect for smoking. When properly smoked, chicken thighs become incredibly moist, tender and flavorful. However, knowing exactly how long to smoke chicken thighs can be tricky. The cooking time depends on several factors like the size of the thighs, whether they are bone-in or boneless, the temperature of your smoker, and more.
We’ll go over everything you need to know to smoke chicken thighs that are always juicy and tasty in this handy guide.
Why Smoke Chicken Thighs?
Before jumping into cook times let’s first go over why smoking chicken thighs is such a great idea in the first place
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Chicken thighs are very forgiving and hard to overcook since they have more fat and connective tissue compared to chicken breasts. This makes them ideal for beginner smokers.
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They are inexpensive and provide a lot of meat and flavor for the price.
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The skin gets wonderfully crispy when smoked properly.
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The meat has a rich, savory taste when infused with smoke.
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Chicken thighs pair well with all kinds of wood smoke flavors from hickory to apple to mesquite.
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Smoked chicken thighs make amazing sandwiches, tacos, salad toppers and more.
Tips for Preparing Chicken Thighs for Smoking
Properly preparing your chicken thighs before smoking will help ensure the best results:
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Start by rinsing the chicken and patting it completely dry. Any excess moisture will prevent the skin from crisping up.
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Trim off any loose skin or fat. This allows the smoke and seasoning to better penetrate the meat.
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Apply a dry rub or marinade. Let it soak into the meat for at least 30 minutes, but ideally overnight in the fridge.
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Lightly coat the thighs in oil or butter before smoking. This promotes browning.
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For extra crispy skin, carefully separate the skin from the meat and rub the seasoning mix directly onto the meat before replacing the skin.
How Long to Smoke Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs
For bone-in thighs with the skin on, the general rule of thumb is:
- Smoke at 225-250°F for approximately 1.5 hours
- Smoke at 275°F for around 1 hour
The smoking time can vary a bit based on the exact size and thickness of the thighs. A good tip is to monitor the internal temperature of the largest thigh using a digital meat thermometer.
You’ll want to smoke the thighs until they reach an internal temp of at least 165°F. The meat will be safe to eat at this point. For the juiciest, most tender results, smoke until 170-175°F.
The skin should be nicely browned and crispy at these final temperatures. If after 1-1.5 hours the skin still seems rubbery or pale, turn up the heat to 300-325°F for the last 15-30 minutes of smoking time.
How Long to Smoke Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
This is how long the thighs should cook since they don’t have any bones or skin to crisp up:
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At 225°F, smoke for around 1 hour or until 165°F internal temp.
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At 250°F, check after 45 minutes. They should reach 165°F.
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At 275°F, check boneless thighs after 30-40 minutes.
Without the skin, boneless thighs are a little more prone to drying out. Spritzing them with apple juice or broth every 45-60 minutes will help keep them moist. And as always, use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness instead of relying solely on cook times.
Tips for Maximizing Flavor
Besides knowing how long to cook the chicken thighs, here are some other tips that will help you get the most flavor and moisture out of them:
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Use a water pan in your smoker to add humidity. This will keep the meat juicy.
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Try different wood types like hickory, apple, cherry, pecan, etc. The wood smoke imparts lots of flavor.
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Brining the thighs for 1-2 hours before smoking helps them retain moisture.
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Injecting or marinating the thighs will make the meat even more flavorful.
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Resist opening the smoker repeatedly. This causes heat and smoke loss.
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Let the thighs rest for 10 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute.
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Serve smoked thighs with bbq sauce on the side for dipping.
How to Reheat Leftover Smoked Chicken Thighs
One of the bonuses of smoking chicken thighs is that the leftovers reheat wonderfully. Here are some reheating methods:
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Place in a baking dish, cover with foil and reheat in a 300°F oven until warmed through, 15-20 minutes.
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Chop or shred the smoked chicken thighs and reheat in bbq sauce or chicken broth to add moisture.
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Quickly pan fry over medium heat just to warm, 3-5 minutes per side.
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Chop and add to soups, chili, pasta dishes, etc. The smoky flavor will carry over nicely.
As you can see, smoking chicken thighs requires a little finesse, patience and temperature monitoring to get perfect results. But it’s a very rewarding technique that’s worth the effort. So grab your favorite barbecue rub, wood chips and digital thermometer, and get ready for some of the most delicious, succulent smoked chicken you’ve ever tasted! Just follow the guidelines above for ideal cook times based on the specifics of your recipe. Happy smoking!
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how to smoke chicken thighs
Smoking chicken thighs is not complicated; in fact, smoked chicken thighs are one of the easier meats to cook in your smoker. You do have some choices on how to prepare your thighs. For the thighs, you could use a brine. I used a dry rub, and it worked great for this recipe.
As I have said, low and slow is the smokers’ mantra. You need to prepare your smoker to a temperature of 225 to 250 degrees F. I like to use a fruitwood like applewood or cherry wood. You can use wood chunks or wood chips. There are more stores in our area that sell wood chips.
Prepare your rub by combining brown sugar, paprika, black pepper, Kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper.
Take your spice rub and massage it onto your chicken. Make sure you rub some under the skin of each of the thighs. Place the thighs in your smoker skin side up and sit back and relax! Well, for a bit anyway!.
Seriously Easy SMOKED CHICKEN THIGHS!
FAQ
How long do you smoke chicken thighs at 225?
Smoked chicken thighs at 225°F typically take between 1. It takes between 5 and 2 hours to reach 165°F inside, but the exact time depends on the size and whether the bones are in or out. Bone-in thighs will generally take longer.
Do you flip chicken thighs when smoking?
When smoking chicken thighs, it’s generally recommended to cook them skin-side up for the majority of the time and avoid flipping them, especially if you’re aiming for crispy skin, according to multiple recipe sites. Flipping them can prevent the skin from developing that desired crispiness.
Is it better to smoke a chicken at 225 or 250?
A great temperature for smoking chicken is around 250 F. The temperature should be between 250 and 275 F. This is because adding one or more whole chickens to the smoker will make the temperature drop at first.
How to keep chicken thighs moist on a smoker?
Leaving the skin on your chicken thighs is a surefire way to ensure that they don’t dry out while they’re smoking. Nov 1, 2022.