• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Winding Creek Ranch
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
  • DIY
  • About Me
    • CONTACT ME
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Home
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact Me
    • Home
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes

    The Best Smoked Chicken Thighs On A Pellet Grill

    Published: Oct 31, 2021, Last Modified: April 6, 2022 by Jeri - This site uses cookies - See the privacy policy linked in the footer - This post may contain affiliate links - This blog generates income via ads

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Long pin for smoked chicken thighs on the pellet grill
    Long pin for smoked chicken thighs on the pellet grill

    Smoked chicken thighs made on a pellet grill are incredibly juicy and flavorful. Smoking chicken thighs will take about an hour, and afterward, they're so tender you can cut them with a fork! The sweet, smoke flavor is so delicious it's hard to believe it takes only 10 minutes of prep time, making these perfect for a weeknight meal! The pellet smoker cooks these thighs perfectly, and this simple recipe can be doubled or tripled, making it great for a crowd at a barbecue!

    To see the step-by-step process on how to make smoked chicken thighs, check out my web story.

    PIN the recipe to try it later!

    Closeup of smoked chicken thighs on a white plate. this …

    Chicken thighs are one of the best meats to smoke on an electric smoker because they are economical, easy to prepare, and they taste incredible!

    Chicken thighs are dark meat that is always moist and flavorful! I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe, but you can also use chicken thighs with the skin on. If you use bone-in chicken thighs; you will have to extend the cooking time. Check out the FAQ section for more info.

    My popular Smoked Chicken Legs recipe inspired this recipe, which pairs well with Smoked Corn on the Cob (another popular recipe). If you like smoked recipes, check out Smoked Pork Tenderloin and Smoked Chicken Wings.

    More chicken recipes

    • Frozen Chicken Breast in Instant Pot
    • Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
    • Bacon-Wrapped Boneless Chicken Breast in Air Fryer
    • Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
    Jump to:
    • More chicken recipes
    • Recipe Highlights
    • Why I love smoking chicken thighs
    • Ingredients
    • Ingredient notes and substitutions
    • How to smoke chicken thighs
    • How long to smoke chicken thighs
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tips
    • FAQs
    • What sides go with smoked chicken?
    • What to do with leftovers
    • More Smoker Recipes You Will Love
    • 📋 Recipe
    • Food safety
    • More Chicken Recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    Recipe Highlights

    CRAZY DELICIOUS: These smoked chicken thighs are so delicious. The flavor scale is off the charts! If you use chicken thighs with the skin on, you will love the crispy chicken skin!

    VERSATILE: You can eat them hot with veggies or rice, cold in sandwiches, over salads, in quesadillas, in omelets, or you can eat them in flatbread. Whatever you decide to do with them, I guarantee your family will love it!

    MAKE AHEAD OR MEAL PREP: Smoked chicken thighs are a fantastic option for your next dinner. Not only are they delicious, but you can make them in bulk and freeze them to be used in the future, perfect for meal prep!

    ECONOMICAL: Chicken thighs are inexpensive and very economical to buy, especially if you buy them on sale! Plus, my chicken rub for smoker is delicious, homemade, and much cheaper than buying rub at the store.

    Why I love smoking chicken thighs

    • Smoking chicken thighs is easier than smoking chicken breasts. Chicken thighs have more meat than chicken breasts do (which are white meat), and they have more fat. Chicken breasts can dry out fast; thighs can smoke for a long time without drying out. These thighs are cooked at a low temperature so they are super tender. You will love the unique flavor of the sweet rub and smoke combined.
    • Chicken thighs are tastier than chicken breasts. They taste smoky and meaty and juicy. Any excess fat drips down beneath the grate and doesn't stay on the chicken.
    • Chicken thighs are better for sandwiches. Chicken breasts can sometimes be too thick, especially if you plan to sandwich them between two slices of bread, and chicken thighs hold up better and make better sandwiches.
    • Smoked chicken thighs are better for salads. Chicken breast pieces dry out and lose their flavor even when they're cold. Smoked chicken thighs keep their flavor even when they're cold, and they stay moist.
    • Smoked chicken thighs are better for freezing. I find that chicken breasts dry out and lose their flavor when frozen.

    Don't get me wrong, I love smoking chicken breasts too, but chicken thighs are much easier to make because they don't dry out as quickly as chicken breasts do.

    Ingredients

    You only need a few simple ingredients to make these delicious chicken thighs.

    A picture of the ingredients used to make these smoked chicken thighs.

    Ingredient notes and substitutions

    • Chicken thighs. I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You can definitely use skin-on chicken thighs as well, which give you lovely crispy skin.
    • Olive oil. The olive oil is used to help the spice rub stick to the chicken thighs.
    • Dry rub. Use your favorite rub. I used this homemade spice rub for chicken. I also use it for chicken drumstick rub. This sweet, savory, and spicy rub contain a combination of 8 everyday pantry ingredients ( brown sugar, garlic powder, Roasted garlic and peppers seasoning, paprika, chili powder, seasoning salt, and black pepper). This spice rub leaves a beautifully caramelized and crackly exterior. Feel free to add your favorite spices or seasonings or adjust the rub ingredients to make this spice rub your own; onion powder and mustard powder would be great additions as well!

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    How to smoke chicken thighs

    Chicken thighs are one of the easiest meats to cook on the smoker. These are perfect for a weeknight dinner or on the weekend with your favorite side dishes!

    Preheat the smoker. The first thing you want to do is preheat the smoker and bring it up to temperature. Set the smoker temperature for chicken to 225 degrees F. Top it up with wood pellets of your choice. Our favorites are the Competition Blend and Hickory Blend.

    Season. Apply olive oil to the chicken thighs with a brush or your fingers. Apply chicken rub liberally on the chicken. You can either place a couple of teaspoons on a plate and roll the chicken leg in the rub or apply with a spoon or an electric salt and pepper grinder filled with the spice rub. Ensure it covers all parts of the chicken thigh; top, bottom, and sides. Use your fingers to push the rub into the meat.

    Chicken thighs with spice rub covering it, with leftover olive oil in a bowl beside it.

    How long to smoke chicken thighs

    Smoke. Once the smoker comes up to temperature, place the chicken thighs directly on the grill grates in the preheated grill. If you are cooking thighs with the skin on, place skin side down. Feel free to add a little more rub.

    Next, put your instant read thermometer in, horizontally through each side into the thickest part of the thigh meat. Close the lid and smoke until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs is 165°F. That's it! No flipping required! If you desire, brush with your favorite BBQ sauce the last few minutes of smoking.

    Rest. Remove the smoked chicken thighs from the grill and place them on a serving tray. Cover with aluminum foil and rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to reincorporate into the meat. Serve along with your favorite side dishes!

    Raw chicken thighs placed on the grill.
    Cooked chicken thighs being smoked on the grill.

    Variations

    Feel free to change up this recipe to make it your own. Some fun variations to try would be:

    • Spicy - add chili pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the spice rub to add heat to the chicken thighs, just a pinch will do!
    • Saucy - add your favorite barbecue sauce the last few moments of smoking for a saucy chicken thigh
    • Sweet - add extra brown sugar to the spice rub for a sweeter taste.

    Equipment

    Smoker: Our pellet grill is the Pit Boss smoker 8-1. It uses 100% wood pellets as fuel instead of gas and propane. I have also used a Traeger pellet grill, and it too is a favorite smoker of ours. There is nothing better than food cooked on the smoker; the added flavor is incredible!

    High-quality temperature probe: This is a must-have item if you own a smoker. We use a digital meat thermometer; we love how easy it is to use!

    Storage

    FRIDGE: Leftoverpellet grill chicken thighs will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

    FREEZER: If you have lots of leftovers, place the meat in a Ziploc bag and pop it in the freezer for meal prep, school, or work lunches. It will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.

    Top tips

    • Anytime you smoke meat on the smoker, cook by temperature, not by time. We use a digital meat thermometer to keep a close watch on the temperature of the meat to ensure it is always cooked to the target temperature. If the chicken sits on the smoker too long it may get dry and rubbery skin.
    • Check and make sure your wood pellets are topped up before you begin. Check periodically while smoking to ensure you don't run out and top up if necessary.
    • Make extras!! The leftovers are so dang good, and you can use them in meal prep, lunches, or for quick meals throughout the week.
    • If I smoke chicken thighs with the skin on, I like to add a dash of kosher salt when I serve them. However, if you want to reduce your salt intake, skip this step. 😉
    • Brush on your favorite sauce the last few minutes of cook time for bbq chicken thighs.
    Perfectly cooked moist and juicy smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs on a white plate.

    FAQs

    What is smoking?

    Smoking is the process of cooking and flavoring food by exposing it to smoke from burning wood. I use a Pit Boss electric pellet grill, which is easy to use and controls the temperature easily.

    Do boneless chicken thighs cook faster than bone-in?

    Yes, they cook much faster, and the cook times would have to be adjusted. These chicken thighs are smoked at 225 degrees F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. I would smoke bone-in chicken thighs at 250 degrees F for about 2-½ hours or so until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the thighs.

    What type of wood is best for smoking chicken?

    The best wood pellets for smoking chicken produce a sweet and subtle fruity flavor. Cherry wood is popular, as well as apple wood and maple. I prefer the Competition Blend by Pit Boss for chicken, a combination of maple, hickory, and cherry.

    What should the chicken thigh internal temp be?

    The internal temperature of the smoked chicken should be 165 degrees F.

    Chicken thighs stacked on a white plate.

    What sides go with smoked chicken?

    There are so many sides that go great with these smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs; some of my favorite sides are:

    • Smoked Corn on the Cob
    • Carrot Salad
    • Coleslaw Recipe
    • Instant Pot Rice
    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries (most popular recipe on the blog)
    • Ultra Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes
    • Oven-Roasted Potatoes

    What to do with leftovers

    If you are lucky enough to have any leftovers, they are perfect in chicken salad the next day, on BBQ chicken pizza, in Chicken Alfredo Shells, or topped with teriyaki sauce.

    More Smoker Recipes You Will Love

    • Easy Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe on a Pellet Grill
    • Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings In An Electric Smoker
    • The Best Smoked Pork Tenderloin on Pellet Grill
    • How To Smoke a Turkey on a Pellet Grill

    This smoked chicken thighs recipe can be easily doubled or tripled. So go ahead and load up that smoker!

    If you've tried Smoked Chicken Thighs or any other recipe, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!

    You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Would you please tag me in your photos @windingcreek_ranch? I would love to see your pictures!

    📋 Recipe

    Closeup of smoked chicken thighs stacked on a white plate.

    Best Smoked Chicken Thighs

    Smoked chicken thighs are incredibly juicy and flavorful. Smoking thighs takes about an hour, but afterward, they're so tender you can cut them with a fork! The sweet, smoky flavor is so delicious it's hard to believe it took only 10 minutes of prep time, making these perfect for a weeknight meal! The pellet smoker cooks these thighs perfectly, and this simple recipe can be doubled or tripled, making it great for a crowd at a barbecue.
    4.97 from 51 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: boneless smoked chicken thighs, chicken thighs, chicken thighs smoked, smoked chicken thighs, smoked chicken thighs recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 193kcal

    Equipment

    • ThermPro Wireless Remote Digital Thermometer
    • Electric Pellet Grill

    Ingredients

    • 8 pieces chicken thighs boneless, skinless
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon Dry Rub for Chicken

    Instructions

    • Preheat the smoker to 225°F (make sure it is topped up with wood pellets first).
    • Drizzle the chicken thighs all over with the olive oil.
    • Apply the dry rub over the chicken thighs and ensure it covers all parts; top, bottom, and sides.
    • Once the smoker comes up to temperature, place the chicken thighs directly on the preheated grill and put your thermometer probe in, horizontally through each side, into the thickest part of the meat.
    • Close the lid and smoke until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs is 165°F. This will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
    • If you like BBQ sauce, apply your favorite sauce for the last few minutes of cooking time.
    • Remove the smoked chicken thighs from the grill and place them on a serving tray. Cover with aluminum foil and rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to reincorporate into the meat.
    • Serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutritional information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only.
    STORAGE
    Fridge: Leftover smoked chicken thighs will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.  
    Freezer: If you have lots of leftovers, place the meat in a Ziploc bag and pop it in the freezer for meal prep, school, or work lunches. It will keep for up to 2 months in the freezer.
    TOP TIPS
    • Anytime you smoke meat on the smoker, cook by temperature, not by time. We use a digital meat thermometer to keep a close watch on the temperature of the meat to ensure it is always cooked to the ideal temperature. If the chicken sits on the smoker too long it may get dry and rubbery. 
    • Check and make sure your wood pellets are topped up before you begin. Check periodically while smoking to ensure you don't run out and top up if necessary.
    • Make extras!! The leftovers are so dang good, and you can use them in meal prep, lunches, or for quick meals throughout the week.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.1g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 11.5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.6g | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

    Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended

    See more guidelines.

    More Chicken Recipes

    • Smoked Chicken Legs
    • The Best Chili Lime Chicken (Smoked)
    • Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
    • Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Pasta Soup
    « Instant Pot Venison Stew
    Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer »

    Share the Post!

    • Facebook
    • Email
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gary C

      April 25, 2022 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      Really good and easy. Used cherry wood and applied some bbq sauce once chicken hit about 130 degrees

      Reply
      • Jeri

        April 26, 2022 at 7:48 am

        Thank you so much for your comment, Gary! I'm so glad to hear that the chicken turned out! BBQ sauce is always a great addition! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Rod

      April 09, 2022 at 4:06 pm

      very delicious, recommend,

      Reply
      • Jeri

        April 26, 2022 at 7:49 am

        I'm so glad you liked the chicken thighs! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jessica

      November 04, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      Sadly, I don't have a smoker but I prepared some chicken thighs on the grill with your spice rub. I'm sure they weren't as good as they would have been had I smoked them but the spice rub was AMAZING. Hopefully, someday I'll have a smoker 🤞

      Reply
      • Jeri

        November 06, 2021 at 3:23 pm

        I'm glad you liked the spice rub! Fingers crossed you'll get a smoker soon! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Megan Ellam

      November 04, 2021 at 3:11 pm

      5 stars
      This is seriously one of the best ways to cook chicken thighs. Sooooo good! Thanks again for an amazing recipe and cooking method Jeri!

      Reply
    5. nancy

      November 04, 2021 at 12:59 pm

      5 stars
      Another chicken recipe pinned! it just sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • Jeri

        November 04, 2021 at 1:19 pm

        Awesome! These chicken thighs are delicious!

        Reply
      • Melinda

        November 07, 2021 at 8:02 am

        5 stars
        I’m always on the lookout for new chicken recipes to use with our smoker and I love all the variations you list here!! Yummmm!

        Reply
    6. Natalie

      November 04, 2021 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      Can't wait to try this chicken. Looks amazing. My boys will love this for dinner. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    7. Kayla DiMaggio

      November 04, 2021 at 8:56 am

      5 stars
      Loving these smoked chicken thighs! Such a great fun recipe!

      Reply
    8. Addie

      November 03, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      Chicken thighs are my favorite cut of chicken. So yummy!

      Reply
    9. Oscar

      November 03, 2021 at 7:59 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe looks so good, I ran out to buy some chicken thighs so I can make it tomorrow. I'm so excited.

      Reply
    10. Audrey

      November 03, 2021 at 5:15 pm

      5 stars
      You're right the chicken thighs were so much more flavorful and moist than chicken breast!

      Reply
    11. Julie

      November 01, 2021 at 8:04 pm

      5 stars
      HOLY! This looks so juicy and flavorful! So inspired by this dish!

      Reply
      • Jeri

        November 02, 2021 at 10:48 am

        They are extremely juicy and super flavorful!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A profile pic of Jeri in her kitchen.

    Hi, I'm Jeri!

    I'm a busy mom who loves to cook but doesn't have time to spend hours in the kitchen. My goal is to help you make tasty meals quickly so that you can spend more time on what matters most-- family!

    More about me →

    Mother's Day Recipes

    • Strawberry Rhubarb Cream Cheese Muffins
    • Easy Crispy Buttermilk Belgian Waffles
    • Easy Fluffy Oven-Baked Omelet Casserole
    • Air Fryer Bacon
    • Easy Air Fryer Sausage
    • How To Make A Thick Smoothie Bowl

    Trending Recipes

    • Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries - Ultra Crispy
    • Best Smoked Salmon on Pellet Grill
    • The Best Smoked Chicken Thighs On A Pellet Grill
    • Teriyaki Salmon Air Fryer
    • Maple Glazed Salmon (Baked)
    • Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Disclaimer
    • Web stories

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Winding Creek Ranch