Chicken thighs are already good candidates for smoking. They are hard to overcook and develop a delicious smoky flavor.
However, there is just something about smoking boneless chicken thighs. Not only will they have a smokey flavor, but they will cook much faster than bone-in chicken thighs.
The secret to smoking boneless chicken thighs is knowing how long to smoke them at 250°F. Smoke boneless chicken thighs at 250°F for 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours.
Contents
How Do You Smoke Boneless Chicken Thighs Without Rubbery Skin
In short, smoking chicken thighs at higher temperatures results in crispier skin. However, since 250°F is still considered a low temperature, the chicken skin will become rubbery.
As I said, you can smoke the chicken at a higher temperature. However, proceed with caution. At higher temperatures like 275°F or 300°F, it is easier to dry out the chicken thighs and end up with tough meat.
Alternatively, you can smoke the chicken thighs at 250°F and crisp them once they are cooked. For example, you can sear the chicken thighs in a skillet until they are crispy.
You can broil the chicken thighs for 1-2 minutes once you remove them from the smoker. However, if you use this method, watch the chicken carefully.
The chicken skin can burn instantly, so do not walk away from the meat.
How Long To Smoke Boneless Chicken Thighs At 250
Ultimately the cooking time of boneless chicken thighs depends on the thickness of the meat. Some chicken thighs are very thin. In contrast, some chicken thighs are very thick.
Usually, it takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to smoke boneless chicken thighs at 250°F.
However, the cooking time can be unreliable, so it’s best to pay attention to the internal temperature. Chicken thighs are cooked when they have a temperature of 165°F.
Check the chicken’s temperature after 1 1/2 hours. This will prevent the chicken thighs from overcooking.
Monitoring the chicken thigh’s temperature will also prevent you from consuming undercooked chicken. Undercooked chicken can lead to food poisoning.
How Long To Smoke Boneless Chicken Thighs At 275
The smoking time depends on the thickness of the meat. However, since 275°F is a higher temperature, the chicken thighs will cook faster. It takes about 60-90 minutes to cook chicken thighs at 275°F.
How Long To Smoke Boneless Chicken Thighs At 300
I don’t recommend smoking boneless chicken thighs at 300°F. At 300°F, there is a greater chance the chicken will dry out, especially since it does not contain a bone.
Additionally, since the chicken is being smoked at a higher temperature, the chicken will not have a concentrated flavor. The chicken texture will be similar to roasted or baked boneless chicken thighs.
Nevertheless, it will take about 45-60 minutes to smoke boneless chicken thighs at 300°F. Make sure you pay attention to the chicken thigh’s internal temperature.
Check the chicken’s temperature after 45 minutes and remove it as soon as it has a temperature of 165°F.
How To Smoke Boneless Chicken Thighs
You are probably already thinking about smoking chicken thighs after reading this article. Luckily, it is very easy to smoke chicken thighs.
If you plan to wet brine your chicken, do it a few hours in advance. In contrast, if you plan to dry brine your chicken thighs, do it 24 hours in advance.
Set up your smoker and let it preheat to 250°F. Make sure you oil the cooking grates before firing up the smoker. The oil will prevent the chicken thighs from sticking to the grate.
Add your wood chips to the smoker. Pecan, maple, apple, hickory, and cherry wood pair well with chicken thighs.
Remove any excess skin from the meat if you use skin-on chicken thighs.
Coat the chicken thighs with a neutral-flavored oil and coat them with your preferred BBQ rub or salt and pepper. The oil helps the seasoning stick to the chicken thighs. Make sure you massage the chicken thighs into every part of the chicken thighs.
Place the boneless chicken thighs into the smoker skin side-up. Make sure you place the chicken thighs 1 1/2 inches away from each other. If the chicken thighs are too close together, they will cook unevenly.
When shopping for chicken thighs, they should be around the same size. If the chicken thighs are not the same size, place smaller chicken thighs further away from the heating element.
Smaller chicken thighs cook faster. So if you place them next to the heating unit, they will overcook. Placing them further away minimizes the chances the chicken thighs will dry out.
Close the door or lid. Let the chicken smoke for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until it has a temperature of 165°F.
Do not check the chicken’s temperature too much, or it will take longer to smoke. The smoker’s internal temperature will drop every time you open the door.
It takes some time for the smoker to return to 250°F, which increases the cooking time. Check the chicken’s temperature after 1 1/2 hours and adjust the cooking time as necessary.
Once the chicken thighs reach 165°F, remove them from the smoker. Place the smoked chicken thighs on a plate and cover them loosely with foil. Let the chicken thighs rest for 5-10 minutes.
Alternatively, you can remove the chicken thighs from the smoker when they have a temperature between 155°F and 160°F. The chicken’s temperature will increase to 165°F as it rests. But you can do a temperature check before serving them to ensure they have a temperature of 165°F.
Next, serve the chicken thighs with your favorite BBQ sauce and sides like mac and cheese or BBQ baked beans.
Final Thoughts
When smoking chicken thighs, you must consider how long to smoke them. If not only will you waste your money, but you will end up with dry, overcooked chicken thighs. Smoke your boneless chicken thighs for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, and you will have the juiciest, most tender, and most delicious chicken thighs you’ve ever tasted.
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.