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    Home » Recipes » Grill Recipes » Smoker Recipes » BBQ Glazed Smoked Chicken Thighs

    BBQ Glazed Smoked Chicken Thighs

    Published: Dec 22, 2021 · Modified: Jun 17, 2022 by Jenna Passaro · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe collage with text overlay

    This easy Traeger smoked chicken thighs recipe will show you how to smoke boneless thighs low and slow on a pellet grill (with a little rub seasoning). You’ll brush on a simple bbq glaze while it smokes, until the dark meat is juicy and fall-apart tender. It’s a great game day smoker main dish for a crowd. Let’s smoke thighs…

    Traeger Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe

    My BBQ smoked chicken thighs turn out tasting like candied bacon. I don’t know the science behind that, but the incredible 3-ingredient honey glaze almost candies them. 

    Table of Contents

    • Why these smoked bbq chicken thighs are so good…
    • Ingredients
    • How to smoke chicken thighs
    • How to make BBQ honey glaze for smoked thighs
    • FAQs
    • Are you a foodie, too?
    • Best Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe (+Traeger Video Demo) | Sip Bite Go

    Why these smoked bbq chicken thighs are so good…

    • Use a simple spice rub.
    • Achieve perfectly crispy skin.
    • Create tender, juicy, pull-apart dark meat. 
    • Easily modify this recipe for bone in chicken thighs by adding to the cook time until the safe internal temperature is reached.
    • New to smoking food? See my video for beginners (scroll to bottom of page).
    Traeger Grill BBQ Smoked Chicken Thighs Game Day Party Platter

    Ingredients

    Here’s what you need to make this tasty recipe.

    Infographic with ingredients for smoking chicken thighs on the the traeger grill with final plating Sip Bite Go

    Smoked chicken thighs ingredients 

    • Chicken thighs, boneless skin on or skinless
    • Olive oil
    • BBQ seasoning (a bbq rub with salt, or add salt) 
    • Cilantro, fresh chopped (optional for serving)

    For the simple BBQ honey glaze (optional)

    • BBQ sauce
    • Honey
    • Water
    Traeger Grill Ironwood 650 with bbq glazed Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe on an appetizer platter
    This smoker recipe comes together quickly, without needing a brine. 

    How to smoke chicken thighs

    Now I’ll walk you through this smoked chicken thighs recipe…

    Infographic demonstrating how to smoke chicken thighs step by step traeger recipe

    Quick look at the recipe

    1. Season thighs with olive oil, bbq rub.
    2. Smoke chicken thighs for 20 minutes (without sauce). 
    3. Make the BBQ glaze and brush some of it on the tops of chicken thighs.
    4. After 20 minutes, brush the rest of the glaze on top and smoke until done. 
    BBQ Smoker Chicken Thighs on the Traeger pellet grill

    Detailed instructions

    1. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. 
    2. Season thighs. To a large bowl, add chicken thighs and olive oil. Toss to combine. Add bbq seasoning and use fingers to massage seasoning into chicken evenly until they’re fully coated. 
    3. Cover chicken thighs to let them absorb the dry rub seasoning before smoking for at least 20-30 minutes, up to overnight, in the fridge. 
    4. Preheat Traeger pellet smoker to 250 degrees F for 15 minutes (and make sure it’s stocked with pellet wood chips). While the smoker is heating, remove chicken thighs from the fridge to come to room temperature. 
    5. Smoke chicken thighs. Add dry rub seasoned chicken thighs to Traeger smoker grates, skin side up. Close the lid and smoke thighs for 20 minutes (without sauce). During this time, make the BBQ glaze (see steps below).
    6. After 20 minutes of cook time, brush half the BBQ glaze on the tops of chicken thighs in the smoker (you don’t need to flip them). Smoke thighs for another 20 minutes. 
    7. Brush the top with the rest of the glaze and continue smoking chicken thighs until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F as measured with a meat thermometer. If you’re wondering exactly how long to smoke chicken thighs, estimate for about 90-120 minutes, depending on how often the smoker lid is lifted (which lets heat escape), how thick the chicken thighs are, and whether they’re boneless or bone in. 
    BBQ appetizer smoked chicken thighs with bbq sauce

    How to make BBQ honey glaze for smoked thighs

    Making this BBQ glaze for this smoker recipe is done on the stove and takes about 10 minutes.

    1. Add the bbq sauce to a small pan on the stove, on medium heat. Add the honey and stir to combine. 
    2. Once mixture begins to bubble, add water and stir regularly for 30-60 seconds until sauce thickens up (enough to coat the back of a spoon). Remove from heat. 
    BBQ Glazed Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe Closeup

    I think you’re really going to love this recipe. Smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs are easy for everyone to eat, even my sometimes picky toddler. 

    If you’re indoor smoking, this recipe can be adapted for electric smoker chicken thighs — just check your device’s manual for adaptation hints. 

    Tender smoked chicken thigh pulled apart on a fork

    See how to make grilled chicken thighs

    FAQs

    What seasonings do you use? 

    Featured in this recipe is Meat Church Honey Hog BBQ Rub. It’s one of the most versatile BBQ rubs in my pantry and is great on chicken, even though the label recommends it for dishes like this smoked pulled pork. See my YouTube video review for Meat Church Seasonings.

    Smoked Chicken Thighs Seasoning from Meat Church Honey Hog BBQ Sip Bite Go

    How do you make a spice rub for smoking chicken thighs?

    Use any seasoning blend you have on hand, or mix your own with flavors like brown sugar, onion powder, a little cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and/or paprika. When making an impromptu blend like this for any sort of smoked meats or pan grilled chicken, take a little taste to check the balance of the flavors.  

    Can you smoke chicken legs and thighs at the same time?

    Yes, but again – make sure to smoke each piece of chicken until it reaches the safe internal temperature. Bone-in chicken takes longer to cook than boneless pieces of chicken.

    What’s your recommendation for how long to smoke chicken thighs at 225?

    I don’t think there’s a tremendous difference between smoking chicken thighs at 225 vs 250 degrees F. If you choose to smoke them at the lower temperature, it’s not measured by time, but instead by when they reach the safe temperature of 165 degrees F. In my experience, at 225 degrees F, they take about 1:30-2 hours. 

    Taking the temperature for Smoked Chicken Thighs on the pellet grill

    What wood pellets should I use for smoked chicken?

    You can use any flavor of pellet you choose, but when I’m smoking chicken I love using Traeger Cherry Wood Pellets on my Traeger Ironwood 650. Cherry pellets give a slightly sweet, fruity flavor that goes perfectly with white meat.  

    What can I serve with pellet smoker chicken thighs?

    Serve these smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs with a fresh peach salad and a pasta side. Try a big bowl of my make-ahead tomato pesto pasta salad. For a smoked side dish idea, see these smoked jalapeno poppers and smoked mac and cheese.

    Is brining smoked chicken thighs not a good idea?

    While there’s no brine in this recipe—with a toddler in the house, I find myself preferring recipes that come together quickly—you can definitely use one. A brine will add an hour or so to your prep time, but will also give the chicken a bit of extra flavor and moisture.   

    How do you make electric smoker chicken thighs?

    Prep and season electric smoker chicken thighs exactly the same way as you’d prepare them for a pellet smoker, and follow your smoker’s instructions on how to do the actual smoking.

    Get inspired with easy recipes for a tasty backyard bbq menu – starting with this lineup of the best burger recipes ever.

    Pellet Smoker Chicken Thighs

    More Tasty Grill + Smoker Recipes

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    • Want more? See my lineup of easy smoker recipes

    See my favorite smoker tools and seasonings in my Amazon Storefront.

    Are you a foodie, too?

    Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about making smoked boneless chicken thighs or any other smoker recipes. 

    If you don’t follow me on instagram you totally should @sipbitego. And for more deliciousness, subscribe to the Sip Bite Go channel and see the Sip Bite Go recipe collection. 

    Traeger Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe

    Best Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe (+Traeger Video Demo) | Sip Bite Go

    This easy Traeger smoked chicken thighs recipe smokes boneless thighs low and slow on a pellet grill (with a little rub seasoning) until the dark meat is juicy and fall-apart tender. It’s a great game day smoker main dish for a crowd. Let’s smoke thighs…
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: BBQ
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 680kcal
    Author: Jenna Passaro

    Equipment

    • Meat Church Honey Hog BBQ Rub
    • Traeger Cherry Wood Pellets
    • Traeger Pellet Grill Ironwood 650

    Ingredients

    Smoked chicken thighs ingredients

    • 8 chicken thighs boneless skin on or skinless
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • ¼ cup bbq rub seasoning a bbq rub with salt, or add salt note: use as much as desired
    • 1 tbsp cilantro fresh chopped (optional for serving)

    For the simple BBQ honey glaze (optional)

    • ½ cup bbq sauce
    • 1 tbsp honey
    • 1 tbsp water

    Instructions

    To smoke chicken thighs

    • Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel.
    • Season thighs. To a large bowl, add chicken thighs and olive oil. Toss to combine. Add bbq seasoning and use fingers to massage seasoning into chicken evenly until they’re fully coated.
    • Cover chicken thighs and and let them absorb the dry rub seasoning before smoking for at least 20-30 minutes, up to overnight, in the fridge.
    • Preheat Traeger pellet smoker to 250 degrees F for 15 minutes (and make sure it’s stocked with pellet wood chips). While the smoker is heating, remove chicken thighs from the fridge to come to room temperature.
    • Smoke chicken thighs. Add dry rub seasoned chicken thighs to Traeger smoker grates, skin side up. Close the lid and smoke thighs for 20 minutes (without sauce). During this time, make the BBQ glaze.
    • After 20 minutes of cook time, brush half the BBQ glaze on the tops of chicken thighs in the smoker (you don’t need to flip them). Smoke thighs for another 20 minutes.
    • Brush the top with the rest of the glaze and continue smoking chicken thighs until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F as measured with a meat thermometer. If you’re wondering exactly how long to smoke chicken thighs, estimate for about 90-120 minutes, depending on how often the smoker lid is lifted (which lets heat escape), how thick the chicken thighs are, and whether they’re boneless or bone in.

    To make the BBQ honey glaze (this takes a cooking time of about 10 minutes)

    • Add the bbq sauce to a small pan on the stove, on medium heat. Add the honey and stir to combine.
    • Once mixture begins to bubble, add water and stir regularly for 30-60 seconds until sauce thickens up (enough to coat the back of a spoon). Remove from heat.

    Video

    Notes

    • No spice rub for chicken thighs on hand? Mix your own with flavors using salt, pepper, and any other flavors you love. 
    • Smoking boneless and bone in chicken pieces at the same time? Bone-in chicken takes longer to cook. Make sure to smoke each piece of chicken until it reaches the safe internal temperature. 
     
    See the recipe: https://sipbitego.com/smoked-chicken-thighs
    See the recipe video for smoked chicken thighs on Sip Bite Go’s YouTube.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 680kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 221mg | Sodium: 546mg | Potassium: 651mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 652IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 7mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SipBiteGo or tag #sipbitego!
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    jenna passaro food blogger from Portland Oregon

    Hey, I’m Jenna Passaro.

    I develop easy recipes that can transform your kitchen into a restaurant – and you into a true home chef.

      

    Where to start?

    Learn the secrets to making pizza at home. And cook amazing tri tip steak dinners.

    Or, fall in love with something new to cook with your air fryer, pellet smoker, BBQ grill, sous vide cooker, and more…

    You’ll notice, I kind of geek out over new cooking trends and tools!

    Instagram me @sipbitego & chef hubs @handmodelpatrick

    My story. Growing up, I didn’t learn to cook.

    (I was actually banned from cooking for years)

    And then in my 20’s I didn’t have to cook because my job as an event planner involved a lot of travel and it was easier to eat out. At the time, I was 100% positive that restaurant food would always taste better than cooking at home, and there was nothing I could do about it.

    Until I fell in love with a chef. He would come over and cook me delicious meals right in my own kitchen. My mind was blown.

    Since then, I’ve been on a mission to figure out easy ways to make restaurant style food at home and share it here on Sip Bite Go.

    Love to eat out and travel? I can totally relate. See my guide on where to eat in Portland, OR.

    jenna passaro the home chef's sous vide cookbook

    Never in a million years did I imagine I’d ditch the 9-5 lifestyle in my late 20’s, move across the country on a whim, start a new life, start a food blog, and write a book.

    But here I am!

    See my book on Amazon: The Home Chef’s Sous Vide Cookbook.

     

       

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