Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe (without a smoker)

Treat yourself to juicy, lightly smoked BBQ chicken with this smoked chicken thighs recipe. No need for a smoker, wood chips or long cooking times. Just a simple wood plank to infuse the smoke flavor and make the grilling easy.

Don’t be intimidated by plank grilling – it’s surprisingly simple! 

Keep in mind that plank grilling will not give you the intense smoke flavor a smoker does since the smoke does not penetrate the protein as much. But…

The mild smokiness still tastes undeniably yummy and the chicken looks so cool when served on a plank. 

The cooking process also takes way less time than a smoker – only about 25-30 minutes cook time in total.

If you have a smoker and prefer that method, here’s a smoked chicken thighs recipe you can try by Dinner At The Zoo using an electric smoker.

What is plank grilling?

Plank grilling (or planking) simply means grilling on a wood plank. You soak the plank, then place it on the grill with the meat, fish, chicken or vegetables on top of it. Sit back and wait for the wood to impart a smoky flavor to the food. 

Two methods to get the wood plank to do its magic

1. Heat both sides of the plank first until it starts smoking, then add the food and cook until it’s done. OR
2. Place the food on the plank first, then put the plank on a hot grill for the first few minutes until it starts charring. Switch to low or indirect heat for the rest of the cooking process. I use this method.

With both methods, there is no need to flip the food. 

What type of planks to buy

You can find untreated pre-sized planks at many stores such as Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Costco, Walmart, many grocery stores and any store that sells BBQ accessories. For newbies, it’s best to stick to store-bought, packaged planks to be safe. 

Match the type of wood to the food you are cooking. Cherry, maple, apple and ash (all hardwoods) are great choices for this smoked chicken thigh recipe. Red cedar (a softwood) is great too – and very common with this type of cooking. Experiment to find your favorite wood flavor. 

If you buy planks that are 1/2 or 3/4 inch (1.3-1.9cm), you can reuse them up to 3 times if you wash them with soap and water. I admit I’m not a fan of reusing planks.

I prefer thinner planks of 1/8-1/4 inch (0.3-0.6cm) as they take less time to soak, they are cheaper and you can toss them out after one use, so no clean up.

Is plank grilling healthy? 

Plank grilling is a healthier option than direct grilling as the wood creates a barrier between the food and the grill. This helps avoid charring and unhealthy carcinogens. Experts suggest using hardwood planks or red cedar (which is a softwood).

Tips for plank grilling

1. Make sure to use untreated wood planks
2. Soak the planks before grilling (20-60 minutes depending on thickness). You can add apple juice, white wine or beer to the water for soaking for extra flavor.
3. Start the plank grilling on high for a few minutes to get the wood smoking.
4. Keep the BBQ lid closed as much as possible to keep in the smoke.
5. Keep a spray bottle or water handy in case the planks catch fire.

How to make this smoked chicken thighs recipe

Shortcuts

There are 3 great shortcuts for this smoked chicken thigh recipe.

1. Buy kosher chicken which is already brined. It’s extra flavorful and juicy. This way you can skip brining the chicken yourself. Alternatively, skip the brining altogether. 
2. Use a good store bought chicken rub instead of making one yourself. See instructions in the recipe notes.
3. Buy a BBQ sauce and add a bit of water to thin it out for a glaze.

Tailor to your taste

Dry Rub

• Keep it simple with a sprinkle of salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika or use our rub recipe in the recipe notes
• Use your favorite store bought BBQ rub for chicken and ribs. 

Chicken

• Instead of thighs, use bone-in chicken breasts or drumsticks. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly
• I always prefer dark meat like thighs because it’s more forgiving, stays juicier and has a higher fat content which makes it more flavorful. 

Glaze

• Instead of using your favorite BBQ sauce from the store, here’s a simple no-cook BBQ sauce recipe found in our sous vide baby back ribs post. 
• Or try a different sauce/glaze like teriyaki or Thai sweet chili sauce (hot!).

Best side dishes to go with the chicken

Make ahead

• The rub and BBQ sauce can be made well ahead (if you choose to make your own).
• You can also brine the chicken a day ahead.