07/10/2026
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45–60 minutes
Smoker Temp: 275°F to 300°F
What You Need
-6 to 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
-2 tbsp olive oil (or mustard to use as a binder)
-Your favorite savory BBQ rub (a low-sugar rub works best so it doesn't burn)
-1 bottle of Meadow Creek Spicy BBQ Sauce (Purchase here at Bikes and BBQ!)
How to Make It
1. Prep the meat: 10 min. Trim any excess hanging skin or fat from the thighs. Pat them completely dry with a paper towel. Coat them lightly with olive oil or mustard, then apply a generous layer of your BBQ rub on all sides.
2. Get the smoker ready: 15 min. Fire up your grill or smoker to 275°F–300°F. Fruit woods like apple or cherry pair great with chicken, but hickory works just fine if you want a bolder smoke flavor.
3. Smoke the chicken: 35-45 min. Place the thighs skin-side up directly on the grate. Let them smoke undisturbed until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 160°F when checked with a digital probe thermometer.
4. Sauce and finish: 10 min. Pour some Meadow Creek Spicy BBQ Sauce into a small bowl. Brush a thick layer of the sauce all over the chicken thighs. Close the lid and let them cook for another 10 minutes until the sauce caramelizes and gets sticky, and the internal temperature hits 175°F (dark meat handles higher temps well and stays juicy).
Pro Tip: Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before biting in. This lets the juices settle and keeps the skin from sliding right off on your first bite.
