How to Grill & Smoke Delicious Chicken Thighs

Grilling and smoking chicken thighs is a great way to make some really tasty food. Whether you're a grill master or just starting out, this guide will show you how to grill and smoke chicken thighs so they're juicy and full of flavor every time.

Picking the Right Chicken

Chicken thighs are a fattier cut of meat compared to chicken breast, which helps lock in the flavor. It is a more of a personal choice between whether you want boneless or bone-in when you buy the chicken thighs. Most people prefer grilling boneless chicken thighs so they don't have to deal with the bones. The skin and bone do help keep the meat moist and add lots of flavor when grilling or smoking, but it is up to you which one you choose to go with. Both are great choices! Just get some great quality chicken thighs that fit the size of meal you are preping for.

Best Seasonings & Marinades for Chicken Thighs

To add even more delicious flavors, you can season and marinate your chicken thighs before cooking. Depending on the type of meal you are preparing for, rubs like our Chili Lime, Fiesta, Signature, Spellbound, and Cubano are great selections. You can also sauce and marinade them up in our One-legged Chicken or Lil Spicy for that extra kick. You can always make your own simple marinade with things like olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, and your favorite herbs and spices. Let the chicken soak up those yummy flavors for at least 30 minutes.

Grilling Chicken Thighs

Before firing up the grill, make sure to clean the grates really well so the chicken doesn't stick and can cook evenly. You will want to preheat your grill to between 400 - 425 degrees.

Since chicken thighs are a thinner choice of meat, you can grill them on direct heat the whole time. They will cook quickly and you will get that good char on the outside of the chicken.

Adding Smoky Flavor to Chicken Thighs

For extra smoky taste, add some wood chips or chunks to your grill. Soak them in water for 30 minutes first, then put them on the hot coals or in a smoker box for gas grills. Woods like hickory, apple, or mesquite give the chicken an amazing smoky flavor.

What Temp do Chicken Thighs Need to Be?

As with all leg meat, chicken thighs are a darker meat so they will need to be cooked to a higher temp than leaner chicken breast meat because thighs have more connective tissue that needs more time at a higher temp to disolve properly and make the thigh meat more tender and juicy.

Use a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken thighs are perfectly cooked through. You want the thickest part of the chicken thighs to reach 175°F. This makes sure your chicken is safe to eat and super juicy.

Let it Rest

Let your smoked and grilled chicken thighs rest for a few minutes before digging in. This lets all those delicious juices soak back into the meat for an extra moist and tasty bite.

Enjoy those Chicken Thighs!

Grilling and smoking chicken thighs is easy once you get the hang of it. With some simple prep, you can turn basic chicken into an amazingly flavorful meal that'll have everyone begging for more. So fire up that grill, get creative with seasonings, and enjoy mastering the art of unbelievably good grilled and smoked chicken thighs!