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smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs on a cutting board
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Smoked Boneless Chicken Thighs

Learn how to make the best smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs on ANY grill or smoker.
Whether you are using a pellet grill like a Traeger, Camp Chef, or Pit Boss, an electric smoker like a Masterbuilt, or just a conventional propane grill like a Weber, we’ve got you covered!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 500kcal
Author Mads Martigan
Cost $25

Equipment

  • Gas Grill, Pellet Grill, or Smoker
  • Wood pellets, chunks, or a pellet tube smoker with pellets or a smoker box with wood chips
  • Paper Towels
  • Instant Read Thermometer
  • Grill Tongs
  • Basting brush

Ingredients

  • 8 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • Your favorite BBQ rub or our "In a Pinch" BBQ rub below
  • Barbecue Sauce optional

In a Pinch BBQ Rub for Chicken

  • ¼ cup Dark Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Chili Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt or ½ tablespoon Table Salt
  • ½ tablespoon Fresh Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper optional for heat

Instructions

Rinse, Dry, and Season the Boneless Chicken Thighs

  • Rinse the chicken thighs under cold running water. Place on a cutting board or in an aluminum pan and pat dry with paper towels
    8 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
    raw boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • Brush a light coating of regular olive oil on all sides of each boneless chicken thigh.
    2 Tbsp Olive Oil
    oiling raw boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • Sprinkle on your favorite BBQ rub or mix up our "In a Pinch Rub" and rub on all sides of each chicken thigh.
    Your favorite BBQ rub or our "In a Pinch" BBQ rub below, ¼ cup Dark Brown Sugar, 2 Tbsp Paprika, 1 Tbsp Chili Powder, 1 Tbsp Kosher Salt, ½ Tbsp Fresh Black Pepper, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 tsp Onion Powder, ⅛ tsp Cayenne Pepper
    seasoning boneless chicken thighs

Set up your Grill or Smoker

  • Light or turn on your smoker, grill or pellet grill and set up the temperature to 250°F. If using a grill, only light a small amount of charcoal or light a single burner on one side for indirect cooking
    a pit boss pellet grill smoking with white smoke
  • Brush the grill grates with oil to keep the chicken from sticking.
  • Add your wood chunks directly to the firebox of a smoker, or use chips in a smoker box, or pellets in a tube smoker or pellet grill.
  • Once smoke is being produced and the grill or smoker is at 250°F, put your seasoned chicken on the COOL side of the grill.
    boneless skinless chicken thighs smoking on a pellet grill

Smoking the Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

  • Smoke the chicken for about 1 hour, flipping and rotating occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 175°F using an instant read thermometer.
    boneless skinless chicken thighs smoking on a pellet grill
  • Brush both sides with barbecue sauce if you wish during the last 10-20 minutes.
    Barbecue Sauce
  • Remove the smoked boneless chicken thighs from the smoker and serve immediately.
    smoked boneless skinless chicken thighs

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcal