Description
This easy smoked boneless chicken thighs recipe uses a Traeger pellet grill or any pellet smoker to impart a rich smoky flavor combined with a delightful blend of spices and tangy BBQ sauce. Perfectly tender and juicy, the chicken is marinated for enhanced flavor and smoked to a safe 165°F, making it a crowd-pleaser for casual dinners or weekend cookouts.
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 pounds chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (divided)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry thoroughly using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Place them in a large bowl and drizzle with avocado oil. Sprinkle coconut sugar, onion powder, mustard powder, sea salt, smoked paprika, chili powder, and black pepper over the chicken. Toss well to ensure all pieces are evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Marinate: Squeeze the juice of one lime into the bowl along with half a cup of BBQ sauce. Toss the chicken again until everything is well combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the Smoker: Preheat your pellet smoker or Traeger grill to a steady 275°F. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator to let it come slightly to room temperature before cooking.
- Smoke the Chicken: Once the smoker reaches 275°F, arrange the chicken thighs directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and smoke them for 60 minutes to absorb the smoky flavors.
- Flip and Sauce: After an hour, flip the chicken thighs and generously brush them with the remaining ½ cup of BBQ sauce. Continue smoking for an additional 20 to 30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure safe consumption.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the cooked chicken from the smoker and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This resting period helps the juices redistribute within the meat, ensuring juicy, tender chicken. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- The marinade time can be adjusted to as little as 30 minutes for quick preparation or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
- If you don’t have a pellet smoker, a conventional smoker or grill set up for indirect smoking at 275°F works as well.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For extra crispiness, consider broiling the chicken for 1-2 minutes after smoking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
