Stove Top Smoker Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat a smoker to 200 degrees F (93 degrees C).
• Combine salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and oregano in a bowl. Apply to chicken thighs as a dry rub.
• Smoke thighs using cherry wood for 1 hour. Rotate and flip thighs and continue smoking until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 1 hour more.

Steps:

• The richer flavor of chicken thighs benefit from more flavorful woods like hickory, corn cob or mesquite. Use about 2 tablespoons of any of the above per batch.
• Trim off all the skin and cut away excess fat from the thighs before seasoning them. Or, leave the skin on and crisp the skin in a hot pan after smoking, about 3 minutes.
• Season each thigh with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Smoke over medium heat until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh near the bone registers 170ºF, 25 to 30 minutes after closing the smoker lid. Check for doneness with the thermometer about 15 minutes into the cooking time.
• Serve right out of the smoker with salsa and your favorite coleslaw or use in another recipe.
• Note: Six chicken thighs will yield about 3 cups shredded cooked meat.

Steps:

• Trim any fat from the breasts before seasoning them. If you're leaving the skin on in preparation for serving the crispy-skinned version, trim any overhanging skin and smooth the skin into an even layer over the chicken. If not, remove the skin before smoking the chicken.
• Boneless chicken breasts absorb a lot of flavor and watch well with a wide variety of wood. Use less of the more assertive wood like hickory or mesquite, or more of the milder wood chips like alder or cherry. Use 1 1/2 Tblsp hickory or mesquite OR 2 to 2 1/2 Tblsp alder or cherry wood chips.
• Season the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a scant 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper each, adjusting that amount to your taste. Or rub a generous amount of your
• favorite rub into both sides of the chicken.
• Close the smoker lid and smoke the chicken breasts until an instant read thermometer registers 170ºF, 18-22 minutes for 6-oz/3/4-inch thick breasts, 22-25 minutes for 7-oz/1-inch thick breasts; 25-30 minutes for 8-oz, 1 1/4-inch thick breasts. Check for doneness with the instant read thermometer about 4 minutes before the end of the time.
• outlined above.
• For crispy-skinned chicken breasts, choose a nonstick pan large enough to hold the number of breasts you are serving. Heat it over medium-high heat a few minutes before the chicken breasts are done smoking. Lift the chicken with tongs from the smoker and lay them skin.
• side down in the pan. Cook until the skin is crispy and deep golden brown, about 3 minutes.
• Serve immediately.
• Note: Four 7-oz chicken breasts will yield about 3 cups shredded chicken meat.

Steps:

• Soak the applewood chips in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Drain before using.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, oregano, ground mustard, and brown sugar.
• Add the chicken drumsticks to a large bowl and pat dry with a paper towel. Season the chicken with the dry rub and toss to coat evenly. Set aside while you build the stovetop smoker.
• Line a Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed pot with a lid with 2-3 sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Spread the drained applewood chips in an even layer in the bottom of the pot and place the steamer basket on top.
• Place the pot over high heat. Once the wood chips start to lightly smoke, add the chicken drumsticks to the steamer basket, place another sheet of foil on top, and cover with the lid. Smoke the chicken over high heat for 8-10 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for another 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the chicken to sit in the smoker, covered, for an additional 10 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should register between 165-170°F (74-78°C).
• Arrange a rack in the upper third of the oven. Turn the broiler on high. Remove the chicken from the smoker, place on a rimmed baking sheet, and broil for 5-7 minutes, until the chicken has crisped and charred in spots. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy!