Smoked Chicken Thighs

Name: Smoked Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs (bone in or boneless); 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoons dried poultry seasoning; 1 teaspoons smoked paprika

Jump to Recipe

Smoked chicken thighs are a BBQ favorite, delivering tender, juicy meat with a deep, smoky flavor. Seasoned with bold spices and slow-cooked to perfection, these boneless chicken thighs absorb every bit of that rich smokiness. They’re incredibly easy to make and perfect for grilling season, meal prep, or a crowd-pleasing dinner. Fire up the smoker and enjoy a dish that’s simple, flavorful, and absolutely delicious!

Smoked chicken thigh with rice on a white plate plus a platter.

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email below, and we'll send the recipe straight to your inbox.

Cooking smoked boneless chicken thighs is an easy way to get tender, flavorful meat with a rich, smoky taste. Unlike chicken breasts, thighs stay juicy and absorb seasoning and smoke beautifully, making them a go-to choice for BBQ lovers.

The beauty of a smoked chicken thighs recipe is its versatility. You can season them simply with salt, pepper, and garlic powder or take it up a notch with a bold spice rub or tangy BBQ sauce. Plus, smoking allows for slow, even cooking that enhances the natural flavor of the chicken while keeping the meat incredibly juicy.

Content Covered Here

Why We Love This Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Perfect for game day!
Smoked boneless thighs are an excellent choice for a weekend game day. They’re smoky and perfectly seasoned for everyone. We also love making sheet pan chicken thighs and smoked chicken leg quarters.
Just a few ingredients.
We love that only a few ingredients are needed for this easy recipe. And it makes it very economical to make a delicious meal.
It’s a hands-off recipe!
This smoker recipe is great because you don’t need to babysit it. You toss the poultry in oil and seasoning and put it in the smoker. What could be easier than that?

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Chicken: you can use bone-in or boneless thighs with this recipe, but bone-in thighs are less likely to dry out and will give you a nice crispy exterior.
Seasoning: choose your favorite poultry seasoning and paprika to sprinkle on before putting it on the smoker.

🎯 TFN Pro Tip

If you’re using a Traeger or other grill, we highly recommend using an internal wired or wireless thermometer. Heat escapes and lowers the inside temperature whenever you open the lid to check on the food. This can unnecessarily lengthen your cooking time.

Recipe Variations

Sweet and smoky glaze: Mix brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and your favorite barbecue sauce for a sticky, flavorful finish. Brush it onto the chicken thighs in the last 10 minutes of smoking.
Spicy kick: Add a cayenne pepper and chili powder blend to the spice rub for extra heat. Pair it with cherry wood or hickory for a bold, smoky flavor.
Dry brined for maximum flavor: Coat the skin-side of the thighs with kosher salt, black pepper, and cumin before letting them rest in the fridge for a few hours. This enhances tenderness and flavor.
Classic BBQ style: Rub the chicken with onion powder, garlic powder, and a touch of brown sugar, then baste with BBQ sauce before removing it from the pellet smoker.
Cherry wood infusion – Smoking with cherry wood adds a mild, sweet smokiness that pairs beautifully with a savory dry rub of garlic powder, onion powder, and a little cumin.
Grill & smoke hybrid: Start smoking the chicken low and slow, then finish with a quick sear on grill grates to create a crisp, caramelized crust.

Prepared ingredients for smoked chicken thighs.

Important Equipment

They both are great for temperature control, allowing precise adjustments to maintain the low, steady heat necessary for smoking.

With their automatic pellet feeding system, Traeger grills are very convenient because they need minimal supervision during smoking.

Whether you want convenience, versatility, or flavor, both grill types are perfect for this smoked chicken thighs recipe.

How to Make Smoked Boneless Chicken Thighs

Stir together the marinade.

Coat the poultry pieces with olive oil and seasoning, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 1-2 hours. This allows the chicken to absorb all that delicious flavor and tenderize.

Insert the temperature probe.

Before placing the chicken in the smoker, put the temperature probe in the thickest part of one thigh. If using bone-in thighs, avoid the bone, as this will read hotter than the meat.

Checking the smoked chicken thigh's temperature using a Meater while on the griller.

Finish them off on the grill or oven.

Turn on the grill to 350°F and quickly grill the outside of the meat to get that wonderfully charred flavor. Or bake them in the oven.

Let them rest for a few minutes, then enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

These smoked boneless chicken thighs pair beautifully with a variety of sides, making for a well-rounded and satisfying meal. Serve them alongside grilled corn on the cob for a classic BBQ favorite, or add a hearty scoop of slow-cooked beans for a comforting and flavorful combo.

For a fresh contrast, try a cucumber cabbage slaw or a pear Gorgonzola salad, which add a crisp, refreshing bite to balance out the smoky richness of the chicken. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, smoked bacon mac and cheese or parmesan cheese and asparagus make fantastic pairings. If you need a kid-friendly side, baked diced sweet potatoes. are always a great choice.

No matter how you serve them, these smoked chicken thighs will be the star of any meal—perfect for casual weeknight dinners or weekend BBQ gatherings!

Recipe FAQs

What kind of wood chips go well with chicken?

We like using apple wood pellets, chips, fruit wood, or mesquite. These add the best flavor to chicken thighs grilled on a pellet grill.

How long should I smoke chicken thighs?

Cook bone-in thighs for 50 minutes or boneless thighs for 40 minutes, and then finish them on the grill or oven for another 30-45 minutes.

Why does the inside of my smoked poultry still look pink?

It’s important to use a thermometer when smoking meat. Smoking meat tends to produce a pink interior, indicating it’s not cooked through. But if the thermometer reads 165°F, you can rest assured that it’s cooked all through, regardless of the interior color.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days or frozen for up to three months.
To reheat the chicken from the refrigerator, put it on a plate and microwave in 30-second increments until reheated.

Other Smoked & Grilling Recipes to Consider…

If you tried this smoked thighs recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!