Description
These Traeger Smoked Chicken Thighs are juicy, flavorful, and perfectly smoked with a delicious BBQ glaze. Using bone-in, skin-on thighs rubbed with your favorite seasoning and smoked low and slow, this recipe ensures tender chicken with a smoky crust and caramelized barbecue sauce, perfect for a family meal or a summer cookout.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 5–6 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or leg quarters
Seasoning & Sauce
- 2–3 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
- Your favorite chicken rub or all-purpose BBQ seasoning, enough to generously coat both sides
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps when smoked. Drizzle with 2 to 3 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil and rub evenly over all pieces. Generously coat both sides of the chicken with your favorite chicken rub or all-purpose BBQ seasoning.
- Preheat the smoker: Preheat your smoker to 325°F (165°C) and allow it to warm for 10 to 15 minutes to develop steady and mild smoke, setting the stage for flavorful chicken.
- Smoke the chicken: Arrange the chicken thighs skin side up directly on the grill grates, using indirect heat. Do not flip during cooking. Smoke the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone. This process typically takes between 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours depending on the size of the thighs.
- Add barbecue sauce: In the last 15 minutes of smoking, brush a generous layer of barbecue sauce over the chicken pieces. Allow the sauce to caramelize and develop a sticky glaze as the chicken finishes cooking.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the smoker and let it rest on a plate for 5 to 10 minutes. This resting period helps the juices redistribute for moist, tender chicken before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Using bone-in, skin-on thighs helps retain moisture and adds extra flavor during smoking.
- You can customize the seasoning to your liking, using smoky, spicy, or sweet chicken rubs.
- If you don’t have a smoker, you can use a charcoal grill set up for indirect heat with soaked wood chips for smoke flavor.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking will give you juicier results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Chicken Recipes
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
