Get ready for a flavor explosion, y’all! Today, we’re taking your ordinary chicken thighs and turning them into a Honey-Glazed Smoked BBQ masterpiece that will have your taste buds doing the happy dance. This dish is the ultimate marriage of sweet, savory, and smoky goodness – and trust me, it’s about to become your new addiction.
Why You’ll Love This Honey-Glazed Smoked BBQ Chicken Thighs
These Honey-Glazed Smoked BBQ Chicken Thighs are an absolute GAME-CHANGER! The combination of the perfectly seasoned, fall-off-the-bone tender chicken, the sticky-sweet honey glaze, and the irresistible smoky flavor is simply out of this world. Prepare to experience a flavor explosion in every bite that will leave you craving more. This recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for your next backyard BBQ, game day gathering, or anytime you need to satisfy your inner food rebel.
Ingredients
Get ready to gather up some serious flavor power! You’ll need bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, a blend of spices (think paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and more), honey, apple cider vinegar, and your favorite BBQ sauce. The key is finding the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky to create a truly epic dish.
- 6-8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs – the bone and skin add amazing flavor and texture
- 1 tbsp paprika – for a touch of smokiness
- 2 tsp garlic powder – punches up the savory notes
- 1 tsp onion powder – complements the other spices beautifully
- 1 tsp salt – balances the sweetness
Ingredient Substitutions
- Honey: Use maple syrup or agave nectar for a vegan-friendly swap
- BBQ Sauce: Try different flavors like spicy, tangy, or even fruit-based for a unique twist
How to Make Honey-Glazed Smoked BBQ Chicken Thighs
Time to work some magic in the kitchen, folks! Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavor-packed masterpiece.
Step 1: Prep Work
Let’s start by getting everything ready to go. Rinse and pat dry your chicken thighs, then season them with the spice blend. Get your smoker or grill preheated to 275°F, and let’s start the magic!
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Time to smoke these babies! Place the seasoned chicken thighs on the smoker and let them work their magic for about 2-3 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Baste the chicken with the honey-vinegar glaze every 30 minutes to create that irresistible, sticky-sweet coating.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
As the chicken is nearing the end of its smoking journey, it’s time to crank up the heat! Move the thighs to a hot grill or broiler and let them sizzle for a few minutes, basting with the glaze until you get that perfect, caramelized finish. Trust me, the wait is worth it!
Step 4: Finishing Touches
To really take this dish over the top, I like to sprinkle on a little extra seasoning and drizzle with the remaining honey-vinegar glaze. Prepare to be the talk of the town with these Honey-Glazed Smoked BBQ Chicken Thighs!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Wood Chips: Try using different types of wood chips in your smoker, like apple or cherry, for unique flavor profiles
- Glaze Variations: Experiment with other sweet and savory glaze combinations, like honey-mustard or brown sugar-bourbon
- Chicken Cuts: Use this method with chicken breasts or drumsticks if that’s more your style
- Have Fun!: This is all about letting your inner food rebel shine, so don’t be afraid to get creative and put your own spin on it!
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Coleslaw, baked beans, or mac and cheese for a truly epic meal.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheat: For best results, reheat in the oven or on the grill until heated through.
Make-Ahead: You can smoke the chicken thighs a day in advance, then simply reheat and glaze them before serving.
Nutrition Information
Get ready to indulge, my friends! These Honey-Glazed Smoked BBQ Chicken Thighs are a protein-packed powerhouse, with each serving providing a whopping 30 grams of protein. And don’t worry, we’ve kept the calories and fat in check, too, so you can enjoy this insanely delicious dish guilt-free.
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbs: 12 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a grill instead of a smoker?
Absolutely! If you don’t have a smoker, you can absolutely use a grill to get that smoky flavor. Just be sure to set up your grill for indirect heat and use a smoker box or wood chips to infuse the chicken with that irresistible smokiness.
How long do I need to smoke the chicken?
The key to perfectly cooked, fall-off-the-bone chicken thighs is to smoke them low and slow. Aim for about 2-3 hours of smoking time, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs?
While you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, I highly recommend sticking with the bone-in, skin-on variety for the best texture and flavor. The bones and skin help keep the chicken moist and add an extra layer of deliciousness.
How do I make the honey-vinegar glaze?
It’s super easy! Just whisk together honey, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. The sweet-tart combination is the perfect complement to the smoky, savory chicken.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can smoke the chicken thighs a day in advance, then simply reheat and glaze them before serving. This makes it a great option for meal prepping or entertaining with minimal last-minute effort.
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Honey-Glazed Smoked BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Total Time: 135 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: 🍖 SMOKE HOUSE
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These honey-glazed smoked BBQ chicken thighs are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for any cookout. The sweet and tangy glaze paired with the smoky flavor will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Ingredients
4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, combine honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil and then coat them with the honey BBQ mixture.
4. Place the chicken thighs in the smoker and smoke for about 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
5. During the last 30 minutes of cooking, brush additional honey BBQ glaze on the chicken for extra flavor.
6. Remove from the smoker and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the honey BBQ mixture overnight. You can also use boneless thighs, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: BBQ, chicken, smoked, honey glaze