There’s nothing quite like the taste of tender smoked chicken thighs, prepared right in the comfort of your own backyard. My signature sweet rub brings out the flavors, enhancing the experience even further. Once perfectly smoked, these succulent chicken thighs are coated in a tantalizing whiskey peach BBQ sauce that will leave your taste buds craving more!
Key Takeaways
Unmatched Flavor
In my humble opinion, these smoked chicken thighs are some of the best you can make at home. They are incredibly easy to smoke and provide an explosion of flavors that will captivate your senses. Perfect for a weekday dinner, they offer a delightful home-style taste.
Now, these chicken thighs are not your competition-style variety. This recipe is designed for those who appreciate an uncomplicated yet delicious meal prepared on their preferred smoker. It delivers an incredible taste that is sure to please. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and crave a challenge, you can explore competition-style chicken thighs with the help of an accomplished friend. She used my Chicken Rub during a competition and emerged victorious! If you’d like to get your hands on this exceptional seasoning, you can find it at the Hey Grill Hey Store.
The Perfect Rub
When it comes to seasoning these delectable smoked chicken thighs, nothing beats my sweet rub. Chicken thighs reach new levels of deliciousness when coated with this blend before smoking. If you’ve been following my journey, you’re probably already familiar with my Sweet Rub. It strikes the perfect balance of sweetness from brown sugar, savory notes from a combination of six spices (including smoked paprika), and a subtle kick from cayenne pepper.
While some pitmasters guard their signature rub recipes, I believe that sharing is caring. I want everyone to experience the joy of creating phenomenal BBQ in their own backyard. That’s why I’m excited to share my recipe with you. If you’d like to learn more about my sweet rub and create your own seasoning blend, head over to my post here. Alternatively, you can order a convenient shaker bottle from the Hey Grill Hey Store and have it delivered straight to your door.
Smoking Perfection
Let me walk you through the process of smoking these juicy chicken thighs to perfection.
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Fire up your smoker: Preheat your favorite smoker to 275 degrees F. It’s essential to maintain this temperature to avoid rubbery skin, especially when smoking chicken with the skin on.
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Prep your chicken: Remove any excess skin or thin chicken around the bone edges. Roll the chicken tightly to ensure uniform pieces. Drizzle olive oil on all sides to keep the skin moist during smoking.
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Season to perfection: Coat the chicken with a generous amount of sweet rub. You can either purchase my Sweet Rub or create your own using the recipe I’ve provided earlier. Ensure that all sides of the chicken thighs are well-covered.
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Smoke away: Place the seasoned chicken on the smoker, skin side up, and close the lid. Smoke the thighs until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remember to use a reliable meat thermometer for accurate readings. Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the thighs, ranging from 45 to 75 minutes.
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Baste with flavor: Brush the chicken thighs with Whiskey Peach BBQ Sauce. You can find this sauce at the Hey Grill Hey Store or experiment with different BBQ sauces to customize your flavors.
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Finish with finesse: Continue smoking the chicken thighs until they reach a temperature of 170-175 degrees F.
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Serve and savor: Once the chicken thighs are cooked to perfection, remove them from the smoker. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your meal hot, with extra BBQ sauce on the side, and remember to keep plenty of napkins nearby!
Cooking Time and Temperature
To ensure your chicken thighs are fully cooked, smoke them for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes at 275 degrees F. Use an internal meat thermometer to gauge when the thighs reach an internal temperature of 170-175 degrees F. Factors such as your smoker’s heat consistency and the thickness of the thighs will affect cooking time. Remember, it’s crucial to cook to temperature, not just by time.
Explore More Smoked Chicken Delights
If you’ve fallen in love with smoked chicken thighs, I’ve got more delightful recipes for you to enjoy. In addition to these delectable thighs, Hey Grill Hey offers several other smoked chicken recipes, including:
- Smoked Chicken Breast
- Smoked Chicken with Kansas City BBQ Sauce
- Whole Smoked Chicken
Try It Yourself!
Now that you have the recipe, it’s time to create something truly delicious. I’m here to help you become an extraordinary BBQ hero, effortlessly impressing your loved ones with scrumptious meals. For more mouthwatering recipes and behind-the-scenes action, don’t forget to follow my social channels on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Let’s fire up that smoker and get cooking!
