Smoked Chicken Thighs

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Bite into these Smoked Chicken Thighs that are juicy, meaty, and fall-off-the-bone tender with crispy skin and plenty of smoke flavor. Transform this affordable chicken cut into a mouth-watering meal with little effort.

Smoked chicken thighs are a perfect example of meaty, fatty, and crispy meat that can soak up the spices and char. Each bite reminds me of childhood and cooking with the family.

Why This Process Works

CRISPY & JUICY. These chicken thighs are crispy on the outside with charred skin and loaded with juicy, fatty meat on the inside. Every bite will remind you why you love smoked chicken. Plus, nothing beats a bite of smoked crispy chicken skin.
SIMPLE PROCESS. Smoking chicken thighs is incredibly simple as you can do it with any pellet smoker, charcoal grill, or even gas grill. The process will be the same, giving you the flexibility to repeat it anywhere you are.
AFFORDABLE. Chicken thighs, especially bone-in, and skin-on, are much cheaper than many other high-demand cuts of chicken.

Smoked chicken thighs are simple to cook and full of amazing barbecue flavor.

Table of Contents

Ingredients Needed

Very few ingredients are required, outside of seasonings and sauce (optional, of course).

Bone-in chicken thighs – Make sure these are skin-on as well. The bone and skin help to prevent the meat from drying out. Plus, the skin gets crispy.
Oil – Brushing a neutral oil onto the skin promotes rendered fat and crispy skin, specifically at the last step when the chicken is seared. Use what tastes good to you.
Dry Rub – If you’re looking for a balanced barbecue flavor, my preferred seasoning choices would be the Signature Sweet & Smoky Rub, or Sedona Sand All-Purpose Rub for a bold taste.
BBQ Sauce – There are a lot of homemade options available, and all of them will work very well with the seasonings recommended. My favorite would be the Sweet Honey Bourbon or Maple Chipotle BBQ Sauce.

How to Smoke Chicken Thighs

Let’s dig into the process, which is pretty simple.

The average person can eat 2 smoked chicken thighs, so it’s best to prepare at least 2 per person. These make great leftovers as well, and because they are so affordable it’s worth cooking extra portions.

Prepping the raw chicken thighs with bone and skin.

Step 1: Prep and Season

Trim any excess skin or fat that might be hanging off the side. Don’t remove more than necessary, the skin helps to insulate the chicken and is also very tasty in the end.

Pat the skin dry with a paper towel to remove all excess moisture. Brush each chicken thigh with a little oil, and then sprinkle on your favorite BBQ seasoning.

Do I have to brush with oil?

Oil helps to crisp up the skin, but it is not necessary. If you skip the oil, I recommend seasoning the chicken and allowing it to rest in the fridge uncovered for about an hour. Dry-brining will allow the skin to dry out, creating a crispy result as well.

Try to season the chicken evenly, using a shaker helps to distribute the spices.

Step 2: Smoking The chicken

Preheat your smoker to 275°F. Once preheated, place the chicken skin-side up on the grates away from the heat source.

You can prepare smoked chicken thighs on a pellet smoker or by using the 2-zone method with a charcoal grill. I recommend a charcoal grill for this recipe as it will easily allow you to sear the chicken to finish.

Smoke the chicken thighs for about 45-60 minutes, until they reach 175°F internal temperature.

Smoked chicken thighs are almost ready to be sauced and finished with a sear.

Baste your smoked chicken thighs with BBQ sauce before you sear to finish.

Step 3: Adding Sauce

Saucing the chicken is very optional. Smoked chicken thighs are crispy and delicious if you smoke them to temperature, and you do not need the sauce… but it does add an additional layer of flavor.

Try the Smoky Sweet Heat Sauce for these, which is our signature bbq sauce.

Brush the skin of each chicken thigh with your sauce, and continue to cook. You can either keep smoking and allow the sauce to set, or you can grill the chicken over the coals to finish.

Step 4: Grill the Chicken to Crisp

Searing the chicken skin over the coals briefly will caramelize the sauce and add some delicious char. This step is optional, but very flavorful.

Pellet Smoker: Turn the heat up to 400°F in an attempt to sear the chicken.
Charcoal Grill: Flip the chicken skin-side down right over the coals for about 2 minutes, just enough to char the skin a little without burning anything. It’ll be done faster than you think, so don’t let it go for too long.

Grill the chicken for just a couple of minutes or until you get a little char. Be careful, the sugar and skin will crisp up pretty quickly, so don’t walk away. Remove the thighs when ready and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Watch out for flare ups when searing your glazed chicken thighs.

Important Tips

Boneless chicken thighs will work for this recipe, but you’ll need to make sure to tuck them in so they don’t lay flat. The cooking time will be shorter, as the bone is no longer there insulating the meat. Do not use boneless skinless thighs for this method.
Hungry guests will likely eat at least 2 smoked chicken thighs, so make sure you purchase enough to accommodate.
The chicken thighs can be prepped a few hours ahead of time, but make sure that you take the chicken out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before hitting the grill.
Light meat, such as chicken breasts is typically cooked to a safe 165°F, but chicken thighs and wings are cooked to a higher temperature. The meat will fall off the bone and be tender, not chewy. Cook your thighs to 175-180°F and I promise you’ll have better results.

Serve up dark, smoky chicken thighs with some slices of lime to add brightness.

Common Questions

You’ve read about smoking chicken thighs and probably have a few questions. Hopefully, some of these frequently asked questions can clear up anything on your mind.

How long does it take to smoke chicken thighs on a smoker?

Chicken thighs take around 50-70 minutes to fully cook on a smoker at 275°F. Use an internal meat thermometer to make sure they reach an internal temperature of around 175°F. Times will vary depending on the consistent heat of your smoker, thickness of the thighs, and how many you’re cooking at once.

What temp should I smoke chicken thighs?

Using a higher temperature range of 275°F will produce juicy chicken with a crispier skin. Low and slow temperatures are not recommended, as the skin tends to be rubbery or chewy.

Do you flip chicken thighs when smoking?

Yes, at the very end when saucing and searing the skin, which is completely optional. You can cook the thighs to the target internal temperature of 175°F without flipping.

Serving up a tray of smoked chicken thighs glazed with BBQ sauce.

Recommended Sides for Smoked Chicken Thighs

Dark, smoky meat typically pairs well with bright foods. There’s also nothing wrong with a heaping pile of mac and cheese… you do you.