The time to smoke chicken thighs depends on the temperature of the smoker and whether the thighs are bone-in or boneless. Generally:
- At 225°F, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to smoke bone-in chicken thighs until they reach an internal temperature of 175-180°F for juicy, tender meat. An additional 10 minutes at 400°F can be done to crisp the skin. ()
- At 275°F, smoking chicken thighs usually takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 170-175°F. ()
- At 300°F, smoking chicken thighs takes about 1 to 1.5 hours until the internal temperature reaches around 185°F with crispy skin. ()
- Around 250°F, the smoking time is typically 1.5 to 2 hours until the thighs reach 165°F internal temperature. (, )
The key indicator is the internal temperature of the chicken; poultry should be cooked at least to 165°F safely, but dark meat like thighs benefits from higher temperatures (175-185°F) for tenderness and texture. Use a reliable meat thermometer to check doneness rather than relying solely on time. In summary: Smoking chicken thighs commonly takes between 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on smoker temperature and thigh size, with 165-185°F internal temperature as the target for doneness and juiciness. Rest the meat after smoking for best results.
