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4 smoked chicken thighs coated in seasoning and a burnished red brown; one sliced; on white platter with knife in background on brown wood table

Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Contributor: Leigh Olson

Smoked Chicken Thighs are a real treat. You’ll want to double (or triple) the batch because there are so many dishes you can make with them.

  • Author: Leigh Olson
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Entrée
  • Method: Smoked
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tsp. brown sugar
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 and 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine sugar, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  2. Prepare your smoker according to manufacturer’s specifications and heat to 250˚F.
  3. Trim excess skin and fat from the thighs. Pat dry with a paper towel. Shape thighs back into cylindrical shape. Season on all sides with spice blend.
  4. Once the smoker is up to temperature, place the thighs on the smoker grate, smaller thighs further from the main heat source, and smoke for 2-3  hours or until an instant read thermometer registers 165˚F. I like to start checking my thighs at about 1 and ½ hours.
  5. Remove chicken from the smoker and place on a platter. Cover with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving.

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