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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Poultry Recipes

    Smoked Chicken Thighs

    Published: Jan 22, 2025 by Lisa Killian ยท This post may contain affiliate links. Please read myย  disclosure policy.

    โ†“ Jump to Recipe

    Smoked Chicken Thighs are juicy, delicious, and easy to make! Smoked to perfection, these chicken thighs are full of flavor and youโ€™ll want 2nds and 3rds!

    close up of smoked chicken thigh0 boneless skinless- on cutting board
    These are so juicy and flavorful!

    If youโ€™ve been around for a bit, you know I love smoking meat. From smoked ribeye to smoked turkey breast, lots of chicken (like smoked chicken breast, smoked chicken legs, and smoked chicken quarters), and even smoked cream cheese, smoked queso, and smoked deviled eggs!

    The only other chicken thigh recipe Iโ€™ve shared is this delicious grilled chicken sandwich recipe. However, chicken thighs are one of my favorite cuts of meat!

    What type of meat is chicken thighs?

    Chicken thighs are dark meat. Since they are part of the leg, the meat is more tough and contains tendons because the muscle was one that worked more than others (like the breast).

    Although they can be more tough because they are a more worked muscle there is a lot of potential for the thighs to be juicier and turn out to be more tender because they are higher in fat.

    When cooked properly chicken thighs are some of the tastiest parts of the chicken!

    smoked chicken thigh
on cutting board
    I love how delicious these are!

    What you need for this recipe?

    • Chicken Thighs- boneless skinless or bone in with skin
    • Olive Oil
    • Dry Rub- Garlic Powder, Chipotle Powder, Paprika, Onion Powder, Salt, Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes.
    • If you have a favorite dry rub use that instead!
    raw chicken thighs on baking sheet
    Boneless skinless are my favorite but skin on is great too!
    dry rub ingredients
    This dry rub is super easy to make!

    I highly recommend a good smoke thermometer. I use this one (itโ€™s called Smoke) from Thermoworks, itโ€™s easy to use and really reliable.

    Once the meat get to the correct temperature I also spot check the chicken with my Thermapen or the Dash.

    How to smoke chicken thighs?

    • Mix together your dry rub
    • Pat chicken thighs dry.
    dry rub
    This dry rub is so simple and flavorful!
    raw chicken thighs on baking sheet
    Pat the thighs dry with a paper towel.
    • Cover chicken thighs with oil then sprinkle with dry rub.
    chicken thighs with oil and dry rub on them
    Brush on the oil and sprinkle with the dry rub.
    • Smoke at 225ยฐF until cooked through- typically 2 hours.
    chicken thighss on smoker before being cooked
    Smoke until cooked through.
    cooked chicken thighs on smoker
    You don't even need to flip the chicken!
    cooked smoked chicken thighs on baking sheet
    Once cooked- enjoy!

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    What internal temperature are chicken thighs done?

    All chicken is safe to eat at 165ยฐF. However, chicken thighs are best when brought to an internal temperature of 170-175ยฐF because this helps break down the tendons for a very delicious and tender cut of chicken.

    Some people even bring the temperature up to 195ยฐF for maximum collagen break down. Donโ€™t go above 210ยฐF though, as it causes the meat to get stringy.

    clos up of smoked chicken thigh bone in with skin
    Do you like chicken with or without the skin?

    How to get crispy skin on smoked chicken thighs?

    This is a highly debated topic and truly I havenโ€™t found a perfect crispy chicken skin without frying it. That being said the best way Iโ€™ve found to get somewhat crispy skin is to let the chicken sit on a cutting board overnight in the refrigerator.

    This lets the skin get nice and dry, then add a little oil and seasoning.

    When the internal temperature reaches 125ยฐF increase the smoker temperature to 400ยฐF. The higher temperature will finish off cooking the thighs and crisp the skin.

    smoked chicken thigh piece on fork
    This chicken is fall apart tender!

    What temperature for smoked chicken thighs?

    I recommend smoking chicken thighs at 225ยฐF.

    How long to smoke chicken thighs?

    Depending on the size/thickness of the chicken thighs and how steady your smoker can hold temperature will determine how long the chicken thighs take to smoke.

    Typically, thighs will be done within 1 to 1.5 hours.  Remember to cook to an internal temperature of 170-175ยฐF and not just to time.

    Should you brine chicken thighs?

    I find that it isnโ€™t necessary with chicken thighs. If I have the time I might, using my recipe for brining leg quarters, but these always turn out so tender without, I typically donโ€™t bother.

    good ranchers chicken thighs raw
    Good rancher's chicken is my favorite!

    If you like this recipe, check out my grilled chicken nuggets, steak pasta, sour cream chicken enchiladas, chicken street tacos, and this tasty southwest chicken recipe!

    smoked chicken thighs pinterest image
    Don't forget to pin this recipe!
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    smoked chicken thighs featured image

    Smoked Chicken Thighs

    Smoked Chicken Thighs are juicy, delicious, and easy to make! Smoked to perfection, these chicken thighs are full of flavor and even have crispy skin!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin
    Author: Lisa Killian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6

    Ingredients

    • 6-8 Chicken Thighs boneless skinless or bone in with skin
    • 3 tbs olive oil

    Dry Rub*

    • 1 tbs garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ยผ teaspoon red pepper flakes

    Instructions

    • Preheat smoker to 225ยฐF. High smoke if that is an option.
    • Mix all dry rub ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.
      1 tbs garlic powder, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, ยผ teaspoon red pepper flakes
      dry rub
    • Pat chicken thighs dry.
      6-8 Chicken Thighs
      raw chicken thighs on baking sheet
    • Pour olive oil over chicken then sprinkle with the dry rub mixture.
      3 tbs olive oil
      chicken thighs with oil and dry rub on them
    • Once your smoker is at temperature, smoke the thighs until they reach an internal temperature of 175ยฐF, typically 1.5 hours.
      cooked chicken thighs on smoker

    Notes

    Tips and Tricks
    • *Dry Rub: If you have a favorite rub use that instead of making one.
    • *Crispy Skin: The best way Iโ€™ve found to get crispy skin is to let the chicken sit on a cutting board overnight in the refrigerator. This lets the skin get nice and dry, then add a little oil and seasoning. Then smoke and when the chicken reaches 125ยฐF internal temperature, increase the temperature of the smoker to 400ยฐF and cook until the internal temperature reaches 175ยฐF.
      You can also remove the chicken from the smoker at 125ยฐF and cook in the oven to finish them off. Just preheat the oven to 400ยฐF and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 175ยฐF.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 496mg | Potassium: 316mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 317IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Dana says

      March 30, 2025 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      So good!

      Reply
      • Lisa Killian says

        March 31, 2025 at 7:12 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Lisa says

      April 13, 2023 at 4:24 pm

      5 stars
      Love these so much!

      Reply
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