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    Home » BBQ

    Smoked Chicken Thighs

    Published: Jun 18, 2023 by Karina

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These are the BEST and EASIEST Smoked Chicken Thighs we ever made. The slightly caramelized BBQ sauce on the skin makes every bite sweet and tender with a hint of smoke.

    These are the BEST and EASIEST Smoked Chicken Thighs we ever made. The slightly caramelized BBQ sauce on the skin makes every bite sweet and tender with a hint of smoke. this recipe
    Jump to:
    • Low and Slow
    • Ingredients
    • How to Smoke Chicken Thighs
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage / Leftovers / Rewarm
    • Smoking Recipes
    • Foodie Desserts
    • Smoked Chicken Thighs
    • Food safety
    These are the BEST and EASIEST Smoked Chicken Thighs we ever made. The slightly caramelized BBQ sauce on the skin makes every bite sweet and tender with a hint of smoke. The thighs only take a few minutes to season and then the BBQ does the rest. Once the lid is closed on the BBQ, remember no peaking. For cooks like this, I like to use a remote probe.

    This post may contain affiliate links, please read the disclaimer policy.

    Low and Slow

    These smoked chicken thighs are cooked low and slow with charcoal on the BBQ. This summer I wanted to start using different smoking woods. For this recipe I used Cherry, but so far this BBQ season I’m loving Apple and Pecan. Need some more info on “Smoking Woods”? Check out that section in the Smoked Sausage Recipe.

    This recipe can also be replicated on a smoker or any other Kamado-style BBQ. For me, the smoking wood not only brings its flavor but makes every bite more tender.

    Each of us until now had our favorite chicken recipes on the BBQ. I loved the Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings, the kids were unanimous for the Smoked Chicken legs. My husband, says he still needs to do some more tasting of them all…should I smoke a whole chicken next?

    Ingredients

    The spices we used for this recipe are pretty simple. If you don’t have them in your pantry, you can easily substitute the seasoning with your favorite BBQ rub. Here is one of my favorites: Weber Flavor Bomb Burger Seasoning.

    The spices we used for this recipe are pretty simple. If you don't have them in your pantry, you can easily substitute the seasoning with your favorite BBQ rub.

    Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the printable recipe and all the specific measurements.

    • Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (I bought the bag from Sam’s Club, which was 10 thighs, you can make less, but you may have some leftover seasoning).
    • Olive oil
    • Brown sugar
    • Paprika
    • Salt
    • Pepper
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Dry mustard
    • Cayenne pepper
    • BBQ sauce (use your favorite flavor, spicy, sweet, Hawaiian, or peaches)

    How to Smoke Chicken Thighs

    These chicken thighs only take a few minutes to season and then the BBQ does the rest. Once the lid is closed on the BBQ, remember no peaking. For cooks like this, I like to use a remote probe.

    These chicken thighs only take a few minutes to season and then the BBQ does the rest. Once the lid is closed on the BBQ, remember no peaking. After an hour, baste the thighs with some BBQ sauce and cook for an additional hour or until the internal temperature has reached 175-185 degrees F.
    1. Preheat the BBQ/Smoker to 250 degrees F. If you use a BBQ make sure to cook with an indirect method. 
    2. Unpacked the chicken thighs and place them on a tray. Set aside. 
    3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, Paprika, salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper.
    4. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and using a pastry brush, coat them with olive oil. 
    5. Sprinkle the seasoning on the chicken thighs and gently pat so it adheres to the skin. 
    6. Place the chicken thighs on the grill if the BBQ/smoker is at temperature.
    7. Close the lid and smoke for 1 hour.
    8. The internal temperature of the chicken thighs after one hour is around 155 degrees F. 
    9. Baste some BBQ sauce and cook for an additional hour or until the internal temperature has reached 175-185 degrees F.  
    10. Serve and Enjoy!
    Sprinkle is excited to share with you our Simple, Easy, and Tasty recipes. She has traveled for years and enjoyed food everywhere from Hawaii to Italy. Now she is the muse for The Kitchen Bucket List helping us developed and create our favorite dishes to bring to all of you.

    Chicken thighs can be cooked at a higher temperature 175-185 degrees F.

    Variations

    Have fun with the smoked chicken thighs recipe:

    • Make it spicy: Use spicy olive oil, add some red crushed pepper, or use a spicy BBQ sauce for the last hour of the cook.
    • Make it kid-friendly: Use a sweeter BBQ sauce.
    • Make it Deluxe: I sprinkled some freshly grated Parmigiano cheese and chopped herbs.

    Equipment

    We smoked these chicken thighs on a large Big Green Egg. This recipe can also be done in a Smoker or any Kamado-style BBQ. Time and temperature may vary.

    Another tool we love to use every single time we cook on the BBQ is our Remote Meat thermometer.

    We smoked these chicken thighs on a large Big Green Egg. This recipe can also be done in a Smoker or any Kamado-style BBQ. Time and temperature may vary. Another tool we love to use every single time we cook on the BBQ is our Remote Meat thermometer.

    Storage / Leftovers / Rewarm

    • Storage: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days
    • Use leftovers: Cut the meat off the bone and add it to a quesadilla, fried rice, or in a sandwich or roll. 
    • Rewarm: Place in air fryer basket at 350 degrees F. for 4 to 5 minutes

    Smoking Recipes

    • Cooked low and slow with sweet pecan wood, these Smoked Meatballs are our favorite BBQ flavor bombs this summer. The cheese brings a whole new level of flavor and texture.
      Smoked Meatballs
    • Have ever seen the big Bone in Ribeye at the butcher counter and wondered how can I cook it? It is easier than you think. Best of all you get a dino rib as a bonus. The answer I have found to cooking this thick "Cowboy Cut" Angus ribeye is to reverse sear the steak. It is ideal for this. If you cook more than one, you can vary the level of doneness for each much easier.
      Bone in Ribeye
    • I love it when we have a tasty and easy recipe to share like Smoked Baked Potatoes. These potatoes come out fluffy and buttery with the classic smoke flavor of mesquite. The cooking time is not much different than the oven, and it lets you use it for something else. Mark this recipe because when you want a baked potato, you are going to want to do them on the BBQ or smoker. Just look at how tender, fluffy, and buttery these smoked baked potatoes are. The best for me is the skin. I usually don’t eat the skin. Until we started smoking them. The skin is perfectly crispy like a chip or a crispy potato skin.
      Smoked Baked Potatoes
    • Smoked Sirloin Tip Roast is a wonderful meaty, tender, and juicy roast when smoked with maple wood "Low and Slow". Marinating overnight with balsamic vinegar and garlic tenderizes the roast to make a meal to remember.
      Smoked Sirloin Tip Roast

    Foodie Desserts

    • Cinnamon flaky dough balls on a teal plate
      Cinnamon Balls Flaky & Easy In The Air Fryer
    • chocolate marshmallow sandwich stack on a small grey cake stand
      Delicious Homemade chocolate and marshmallow sandwich cookies
    • Silky and smooth, San Sebastian Cheesecake is an easy sweet treat. With no crust and no cracking to worry about, it is a breeze to make for any occasion. The texture is one of a kind with a buttery exterior and a hint of caramel in each bite.
      San Sebastian Cheesecake
    • Double stack funfetti cake
      Easy Air Fryer Funfetti Cake
    Make it Deluxe: I sprinkled some freshly grated Parmigiano cheese and chopped herbs.

    Did this make you hungry? Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to be the first one to know when a new recipe is available.

    These are the BEST and EASIEST Smoked Chicken Thighs we ever made. The slightly caramelized BBQ sauce on the skin makes every bite sweet and tender with a hint of smoke.

    Smoked Chicken Thighs

    Karina
    This "Low and Slow" is going to be a hit for your next outdoor cooking get-together with its sweet, tender, and smoky flavor.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 People

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Paprika
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 cup BBQ sauce

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the BBQ/smoker to 250 degrees F. If you use a BBQ make sure to cook with an indirect method. 
    • Unpacked the chicken thighs and place them on a tray. Set aside. 
    • In a small mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, Paprika, salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, and cayenne pepper.
    • Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, and use a pastry brush to coat them with olive oil. 
    • Sprinkle the seasoning on the chicken thighs and gently pat so it adheres to the skin. 
    • Place the chicken thighs on the grill if the BBQ/smoker is at temperature. 
    • Close the lid and smoke for 1 hour.
    • The internal temperature of the chicken thighs after one hour should be around 155 degrees F. 
    • Brush some BBQ sauce and cook for an additional hour or until the internal temperature has reached 175-185 degrees F.  
    • Serve and Enjoy!
    Keyword Big Green Egg, Kamado-style BBQ, Low and Slow BBQ, Smoked, Smoked Chicken Thighs
    Welcome to The Kitchen Bucket List. My name is Karina and I am very excited to share with you our Simple, Easy, and Tasty recipes. After years of cooking and baking with my girls, where even dad shows up from time to time, especially for the BBQ, The Kitchen Bucket List was created in the Spring of 2020.

    Food safety

    You will be working with chicken and possibly using a knife to trim the thighs, so please be careful. Take all the standard precautions with raw chicken, like washing your hands and avoiding cross-contamination. USDA has more food safety information if you need it.

    HAPPY SMOKING!!!

    More BBQ

    • Smoked Cream Cheese is the magic treat you didn't know you were missing until you taste it for the first time. It is a quick appetizer to prepare and the flavor can be adapted to your preference.
      Smoked Cream Cheese
    • Honey Mustard Chicken breasts on the kamado BBQ are perfectly tender. Our homemade marinade and rub make every bite sweet and delectable. You will be amazed at how easy this BBQ recipe is. Just a few hours in the marinade and just over 10 minutes on the kamado-style BBQ.
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    • Potato Bites grilled on the BBQ are flavorful and tender thanks to the foil packet. They are cooked in 30 minutes and each packet can be uniquely flavored ahead of time.
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    • Seared perfectly, these Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs are tender and flavorful. Our chicken marinade brings the right balance of sweet and savory in every bite. The marinade is easy to make and best of all you can have the thighs marinate overnight to just a few hours before grilling. I bet you have the brown sugar and soy sauce in the house right now. Let's get grilling.
      Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
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    Filed Under: BBQ, Cooking, Dinners, Outdoor Cooking, Recipes, Smoked, Uncategorized

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    I'm Karina,

    After years of cooking and baking with my girls, where even dad shows up from time to time, especially for BBQ. The Kitchen Bucket List was created.
    I hope you enjoy these Simple, Easy, and Tasty Recipes with your friends and family.

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    Modern footer. Welcome to The Kitchen Bucket List's Recipes & About footer. My name is Karina and I am very excited to share with you our Simple, Easy, and Tasty recipes. After years of cooking and baking with my girls, where even dad shows up from time to time, especially for the BBQ, The Kitchen Bucket List was created in the Spring of 2020.

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