Smoking chicken thighs typically takes between 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the smoker temperature and whether the thighs are bone-in or boneless.
- At a smoker temperature of around 275°F, chicken thighs usually take about 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F to 175°F. Flipping the thighs a couple of times during cooking is common to ensure even smoking and crisp skin
- Smoking at a lower temperature like 225°F can take longer, around 1.5 to 2 hours, with an additional 10 minutes at a higher temperature (around 400°F) recommended to crisp the skin
- Bone-in chicken thighs generally take longer than boneless, often closer to 1.5 to 2 hours at lower temperatures, while boneless thighs can be done in under an hour at higher temps like 275-300°F
- The key is to use a reliable meat thermometer and cook until the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F, ideally 170-175°F for juicier, more tender meat
In summary, expect about 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes at 275°F, or 1.5 to 2 hours at 225°F, adjusting based on thigh size and smoker consistency, always cooking to the proper internal temperature rather than strictly by time
