Smoked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

Ready for juicy perfection? Try this smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs recipe. Delicious smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs are extremely versatile and pair incredibly well with your favorite BBQ sides.  I promise you they won’t disappoint.

Most smoked chicken thigh recipes are bone-in and skin-on. And I’m here for it. But I’m also here to say, there are times you want to add delicious smoked chicken thighs to a variety of dishes — tacos, salads, quesadillas, and pastas without worrying about chicken skin or bones. In those instances, you want a delicious boneless skinless chicken thigh. With a smoked boneless skinless chicken thigh, you smoke the chicken low and slow, allowing it to absorb those delicious smoky flavors without worry about rubbery chicken skin or working around the bone.

What is the best brine for smoked chicken thighs?

Brining your chicken thighs is a critical step that shouldn’t be overlooked. All things considered, a good brine takes a few seconds to make but makes a huge difference in the final product. This applies for boneless chicken thighs, chicken breasts, whole chickens, and anything poultry. Playing on this note, I would say; any brine is better than no brine at all. But for the sake of this recipe for my smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs, I love to brine my chicken thighs in a couple bottles of dark beer, preferably a stout with a little bit of salt. A stout is an ale in the beer family and usually very dark. They are malty, smoky, and have a strong, rich flavor. Making them ideal for drinking and brining chicken. Brine your chicken for at least 5-6 hours, I brine mine overnight to get the juiciest, most flavorful chicken possible.

How to smoke chicken thighs

Creating the perfect smoked chicken thighs isn’t difficult, nor does it have to be. Following this simple guide will amplify the results of your BBQ adventures with chicken! Here’s what the process looks like:

• Begin by brining thawed boneless skinless chicken thighs (usually 6-8 thighs) overnight. I’d advocate for a brine of dark, stout beer and kosher salt.
• Prepare the BBQ rub by combining  kosher salt, black pepper, chili powder, and garlic powder
• Season the chicken. Remove the chicken from the brine one hour before cooking and pat dry with paper towels. 
• Preheat the smoker. Preheat the smoker to 250°F for indirect cooking. 
• When the smoker is preheated, spread the boneless skinless chicken thighs evenly on the cooking grate.
• Smoke the chicken 60-90 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. We recommend using an instant read thermometer to check the temperature to ensure it reaches safe eating temperatures.
• Remove the chicken from the smoker once it reaches 165°F
• Wrap the chicken in foil and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving 

What temperature for smoked chicken thighs?

Most smoked chicken thigh recipes you will find will recommend a smoking temperature of at least 275°F. And this is absolutely correct if you are smoking chicken thighs with the skin on. However, removing the skin as a variable allows you to smoke chicken thighs low and slow. For smoking boneless skinless chicken thighs, smoke them at 250°F, ensuring a perfectly smoked dish.

How long to smoke chicken thighs

A common question is how long to smoke boneless skinless chicken thighs. Boneless skinless chicken thighs cook faster than the bone-in skin-on alternative. Depending on the thickness of the chicken thigh, they will take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours at 250°F. Chicken thighs are more forgiving than chicken breasts, but removing them from the smoker at the right temperature will yield the best results. 

What internal temperature are chicken thighs done

For safety, it is recommended that you smoke your boneless skinless chicken thighs until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken thighs, which is why it is so important to monitor the chicken’s internal temperature. 

What to serve with smoked chicken

Perfectly smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs pair well with a variety of dishes. If you want to use the chicken as a main dish, serve with fresh cornbread, baked beans, or with a fresh garden salad. I love to smoke boneless skinless chicken thighs for food prep as they are incredibly versatile and pair incredibly well with other dishes. Slice the boneless skinless smoked chicken thighs into thin strips and serve with pickled onions and chopped cilantro for street tacos. The possibilities are endless with this versatile chicken recipe.