Marinated Smoked Chicken Thighs on Traeger

we have smoked chicken breastsa whole chicken and chicken wings so it’s time for us to share smoked chicken thighs recipe. Chicken thighs taste the best, and we at Traeger enhance that flavor!

We start with a sweet smoky marinade and let the chicken thighs soak in all that delicious flavor. Then we smoke them in a Traeger. Serve them a year elot corn and some mac and cheeseand you have the perfect summer meal!

Remember we used our Traeger as a stove a few summers ago the kitchen was being renovated? We love ourselves Drager many! Not only does it make delicious meals (practically on it’s own), but it saved us last summer and is a great way to avoid turning on the stove when it’s scorching hot outside!

What Ingredients Do You Need for Smoked Chicken Thighs?

Take your chicken thighs and the rest of these ingredients the best smoked chicken thighs:

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs
• Honey
• I’m Willow
• All spices
• Cayenne Pepper
• cinnamon
• Ginger
• Yellow onion
• garlic
• Dark Brown Sugar
• Corn syrup
• Water
• BBQ Spice Rub

If you’re a sauce lover like me, you can dip this chicken in a bit more homemade barbecue sauce…store bought or whatever your favorite BBQ sauce is! You can find the measurements for each ingredient on the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to cook smoked chicken thighs

The first step in making these smoked thighs is deciding whether you’re going to smoke the meat in a pan (which I prefer to do) or directly on the grill. If you want to grill them directly, save about a third of the marinade for later.

The next step is to marinate. We like to pour everything directly into a ziploc bag where we will marinate the chicken… less clean up! Place all the ingredients in a bag and then squeeze everything together to combine.

NOTE: If grilling directly on the grill, reserve one-third of the marinade for later Now before adding the chicken.

Add the chicken to the bag and marinate in the refrigerator for 1-12 hours.

When ready to smoke, place whole chicken thighs in pan and marinate.

Now it’s time to fire up that Traeger! Heat it to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and let it come up to temperature for 10 minutes. Place your chicken pot in the smoker and close the lid.

Let it smoke for 10 minutes and then raise the heat to 400 and bake for another 15 minutes.

Then flip the chicken and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees (another 10-15 minutes).

Place the chicken thighs on a cutting board, cover with foil and let rest. This is the key to getting the juiciest chicken!

Pour the remaining marinade into the pan and heat to a boil on the stove. In a separate bowl, mix the water and cornstarch and then add the marinade. This will thicken the marinade a bit and is perfect for brushing over the chicken before serving.

How long should a chicken leg be?

For this recipe, it should take about 40 minutes for your chicken thighs to reach a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees. It may take a little longer depending on the thickness of your chicken thighs and the consistency of the heat in your smoker.

Do you turn a chicken leg when you smoke?

Yes, if you fry or smoke the thighs, you need to turn them once. No need to convert more than once!

Why choose a chicken leg?

Chicken thighs are very affordable and in my opinion, the best flavor. They also tend to stay more moist and tender than chicken breast. Although chicken breasts are leaner, if you’re watching fat and calories, go with chicken breasts. We have a great one smoked chicken breast recipe that you will love!

What type of wood is best to use for chicken?

It really comes down to personal preference, but we prefer either apple or a combination of apple and hickory. Cherry or oak pellets are also great options!

Do you need to salt chicken before smoking?

It is not necessary to salt the chicken before smoking.

Brine enhances the flavor of the meat, but we prefer marinating for this recipe.

Can I use bone-in chicken thighs?

Yes, you can use bone-in chicken if you prefer. You just need to increase the time for the smoker to reach its temperature.

How long will smoked chicken keep?

Smoked chicken will be kept 7 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Should smoked chicken be refrigerated?

Smoked chicken should be refrigerated for 2 hours after removing from the smoker.

Can Smoked Chicken be Freezed?

Smoked chicken can be frozen 3-6 months in an airtight container. If there is a Food Saverit’s a better option for freezing chicken!

How to reheat leftovers

Reheating chicken can be a little tricky because it can dry out quickly and change flavor. I have found that the best way to reheat chicken thighs is in the oven. Put the leftovers in a shallow baking dish, add a little water or chicken stock and cover with foil. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven and heat until heated through. It will take about 10-15 minutes.

These leftovers are great on sandwiches or chopped into a salad!

What to eat with smoked chicken thighs?

These are perfect for feeding a crowd at a gathering with friends or family. You need some with any good smoked chicken dish classic barbecue side dishes! Here are a few of our favorites:

And just for good measure, you should make a party of us Biscoff homemade ice cream for dessert!

Smoked chicken thighs sweet smoky marinade should be next on the summer BBQ menu! They taste amazing and are so quick and easy…just 40 minutes in the smoker and they are ready to go!

More Smoked Recipes You’ll Love:

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