Easy Smoked Chicken Thighs

This is the BEST Smoked Chicken Thighs recipe. Chicken thighs are coated in olive oil, a flavorful BBQ rub (or Smoke Rub For Chicken) and barbecue sauce, then cooked smoked low and slow, to create perfectly juicy chicken, infused with light smoke.

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword BBQ Recipes, Smoked Chicken

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1

Resting Time 5

Total Time 1 15

Servings people

Calories 452kcal

Author Darcey Olson

Cost $8.00

Equipment

Smoker

Ingredients

OPTIONAL DRY BRINE

kosher salt or BBQ rub *Note 1

SMOKED CHICKEN THIGHS

2-2.5 lb chicken thighs *Note 2
1 tbsp olive oil
2-3 tbsp bbq rub *Note 3
1 cup barbecue sauce *Note 4

OPTIONAL MOP SAUCE

¼ cup apple cider vinegar or chicken broth
¼ cup water
2 tbsp bbq rub *Note 1
2 tbsp barbecue sauce *Note 4

Instructions

OPTIONAL STEP: DRY BRINE

Up to 24 hours before smoking: Pat dry the chicken with paper towels and generously coat with kosher salt or the BBQ dry rub. Transfer the uncovered chicken to the refrigerator and let dry brine for 6-24 hours.
kosher salt or BBQ rub

PREP THE CHICKEN

Pat dry the chicken and evenly coat with olive oil, followed by the bbq rub.
2-2.5 lb chicken thighs, 1 tbsp olive oil, 2-3 tbsp bbq rub

OPTIONAL STEP: MOP SAUCE

Add the ingredients to a small mixing bowl and mix to combine. Set aside.
¼ cup apple cider vinegar or chicken broth, ¼ cup water, 2 tbsp bbq rub, 2 tbsp barbecue sauce

COOK THE CHICKEN

Pre-heat the smoker to 250°F. If using a manual smoker, aim to keep the ambient temperature between 225°F - 250°F.
Transfer the chicken thighs to the grill and close the lid. At the 30 minute mark, brush the chicken with the mop sauce, flip and lightly brush the second side with the mop sauce. Close the lid.
When the chicken thighs reach around 150°F, brush both sides with bbq sauce and continue to cook until the thickest part of the chicken thigh reaches 165°F.
1 cup barbecue sauce
Remove the chicken and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Note 1 - Generously coat the chicken with your preference: salt or BBQ rub.

Note 2 - Both skinless and boneless thighs and bone-in thighs work well. No edits are needed, although it may take a bit longer to cook bone-in chicken.

Note 3 - Use your favorite store bought BBQ rub or make your own!

Note 4 - Use your favorite store bought BBQ sauce or make your own.

Nutrition