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+ servings
pulled apart smoked chicken thigh

Smoked Chicken Thighs

Rachel Riesgraf
Easy smoked chicken thighs covered in the best sweet and savory dry rub and smoked until juicy, tender, perfection. Finished with a reverse sear for that crispy, charred skin we all love. This is a go-to recipe you'll be coming back to again and again.
4.62 stars
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Dinner / Lunch
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds chicken thighs, skin on and bone in (6-8 thighs)

Dry rub

  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • ½ tablespoon cumin
  • ½ tablespoon salt
  • ½ tablespoon pepper

Mop (Optional)

  • ½ apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ apple cider/juice (or water)
  • 1 tablespoon dry rub

Instructions
 

  • Dry rub: Mix together the dry rub ingredients and set aside. If using, reserve 1 tablespoon for the mop.
  • Trim off any access skin and fat from the chicken thighs: Keep the layer of skin that covers the top of the chicken thigh to lock in the juices, but trim off and discard any skin or fat that wraps around the underside of the chicken thigh.
  • Cover chicken with dry rub: Generously rub all sides of the chicken thighs with dry rub, including on top of the skin, under the skin, and on the underside of the chicken.
  • Preheat the smoker: Let the chicken rest while you preheat the smoker to 225-250 degrees F.
  • Smoke the chicken: Place the chicken on the smoker with the skin side up. Smoke the chicken for about 1 ½ - 2 hours, brushing the chicken with the mop after 45 minutes. Continue to mop the chicken every 30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches about 165 degrees.
  • Reverse sear: If desired, turn the smoker up to medium-high heat, about 450 degrees, and cook the chicken thighs skin side down over direct heat until nicely charred. Don't cook the chicken past an internal temperature of 170-175 degrees.
  • Rest: Remove the chicken from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutritional information is automatically calculated by a third party software and is only an estimate, not a guarantee. This information is provided as courtesy, and you are solely responsible for all decisions related to your health.

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