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smoked chicken thighs recipe
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Sweet & Smokey Chicken Thighs

Crispy skin, sweet heat, and moist tender meat
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Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time1 hour 30 minutes
Rest Time10 minutes
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3-5 whole Bone-in, Skin-on, Chicken Thighs

Sweet & Smokey BBQ Rub

  • 2 tbsp brownulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 1/2 tbsp diamond crystal kosher salt
  • 1 tsp celery salt
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic
  • 1/2 tsp granulated onion
  • 1/4 tsp mustard powder
  • 1/2 tsp medium grind black pepper
  • 1 tsp ancho chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle powder

Instructions

  • Get your smoker to 325F.
    Don't go higher as the rub contains lots of sugar which can and will burn.
  • Take chicken thighs out of packaging and pat dry with a paper towel.
  • Combine rub ingredients in the specified quantities and liberally apply to the meat and skin side.
    2 tbsp brownulated sugar, 2 tbsp white sugar, 1/2 tbsp diamond crystal kosher salt, 1 tsp celery salt, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp granulated garlic, 1/2 tsp granulated onion, 1/4 tsp mustard powder, 1/2 tsp medium grind black pepper, 1 tsp ancho chili powder, 1/2 tsp chipotle powder
  • Put seasoned thighs on smoker, indirect.
  • Add a chunk of your favorite hardwood - I used 1 medium chunk of apple for the entire cook.
  • You'll know the thighs are done when the skin is rigid and crispy to the touch and the internal temperature is above 200F.
  • Once done, take off the smoker and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
    Then enjoy!

Notes

If you don't have brownulated sugar, use light brown sugar.
If you like more heat, use 1 tsp of chipotle powder.
Chicken thighs taste MUCH better when pushed to around 200F.
The skin fat will render better (rubbery skin tastes bad which happens at 165F) and the collagen in the meat will still keep the meat juicy.