Easy Smoked Chicken Thighs
These smoked chicken thighs are coated in a homemade spice rub then cooked in a smoker to tender and flavorful perfection. I like to prepare the chicken the day before so the seasoning can get into the meat but you don’t have to do that. You may be reading this to make dinner in a few hours. No worries. Either way works. Serve these chicken thighs your favorite barbecue sauce for your next outdoor gathering! Chicken thighs are an inexpensive and flavor filled cut of meat.
Chicken thighs are part of the leg and drumstick, cut just above the knee. It’s referred to as dark meat and has extra fat that makes it darker. This is just fine with me because fat equals flavor especially if you’re going to smoke it. Thighs tend to be very tender, flavorful, and as a bonus, cheaper than breasts.
Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs as many as you like
- Your favorite rub or marinade.
Instructions
- Take the meat out of the package and rinse it off with cold water.
- If you are going to marinate the chicken, I prefer to do it overnight, although 15 to 30 minutes is fine if you’re in a hurry.
- When using a rub, BE SURE to separate the skin by sliding your fingers in between the skin and meat and place some rub in the hole as well as all over each chicken thigh. I like to put the rub into a Ziplock bag, add a piece or two of chicken, then shake it round until the pieces are evenly coated. Add seasoning to the bag as needed. Discard extra seasoning. DO NOT KEEP IT if chicken has touched it. I usually toss the bag and the seasoning after coating all the chicken.
- I like to smoke the thighs on the smoke setting for 30 minutes prior to cranking the temp up for 350 for added smoke flavor.
- Smoke skin side down until temperature reaches 170 F, about 40-45 minutes.
