Smoked Chicken Thighs

These delicious, juicy, and succulent smoked chicken thighs will make you forget that they weren’t cooked in an actual smoker. 

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The chicken thighs are infused with a mix of spices, our homemade BBQ sauce and of course, liquid smoke and cooked in the air fryer to perfection. 

What Makes This Recipe Ideal

Smoked chicken thighs are a wonderful recipe if you have the time to make prepare them in an actual smoker.

With this easy method, you can enjoy the same smoky flavor and cooks 10 times faster with ease in the air fryer.

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This recipe is also ideal for those who do not have access to a smoker but the convenience of the oven, and in this case, the air fryer. 

This recipe is perfect for the summer as barbecues are happening everywhere. A big platter of this liquid smoked chicken thighs will feed a crowd with no effort whatsoever.

Read on to see everything you need to know about smoking your own chicken thighs in the air fryer!

Ingredients

Chicken thighs are one of the cheapest cuts one can purchase as it is inexpensive.

They are considered as dark meat in poultry but are incredibly juicy and is well adapted in many dishes like in this poulet en sauce recipe. 

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To make this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

20 pieces Chicken Thighs, Skin On. Wash and pat dry. 

⅓ Cup Light Brown Sugar

¼ Cup Smoked Paprika

1 Tbsp. Black Pepper

2 Tbsp. Kosher Salt

1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder

3 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper (Optional)

1 Tbsp. Ground Mustard

¼ Cup Liquid Smoke

1 Cup BBQ Sauce

Preparation Method

In a medium size bowl, combine the liquid smoke and BBQ sauce together. Cover, mix well and set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix together the ⅓ Cup Light Brown Sugar, ¼ Cup Smoked Paprika

1 Tbsp. Black Pepper, 2 Tbsp. Kosher Salt, 1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder, 3 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper (Optional), and 1 Tbsp. Ground Mustard. 

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Generously apply the rub on all sides of the chicken thighs. If using less then 20 pieces of chicken, season as desired with the rub. 

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Once you have applied the seasoning to the chicken, cover and let marinate for 30 minutes or over night.          

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Place the meat in the air fryer basket skin down, do not overcrowd your basket. It is beset to work in batches so that the chicken can cook properly. 

Cook 4 to 6 pieces at a time in the air fryer for 20 minutes at 380F. 

After 20 minutes, brush the BBQ sauce on all part of the chicken the cook for an additional 5 minutes. 

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Cooking thyme may vary depending on the air fryer you have. 

If your smoked chicken thighs are not fully cooked, return them back to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until you reach the desired doneness.  

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The smoked chicken thighs are done when internal meat thermometer reads 165F. Serve and enjoy.

Make These in the Oven  

If you don’t have an air fryer nor a smoker, no worries, you can still make incredible chicken thighs in the oven. They will take a little longer to cook but the results will be as satisfying

1. Chicken Rub: Prepare the chicken as directed in the recipe.
2. Prepare: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Place a baking rack on top of the foil, the cookie sheet will catch the liquid that will be released from the chicken as it cooks.
3. Bake and Temperature: Bake for 35-40 min or until internal temperature registers 165 degrees; applying the liquid smoked BBQ sauce all over the chicken in the last 10 minutes.

Which Air Fryer To Use

These chicken thighs with liquid smoked BBQ sauce were tested in two different air fryers – The Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 and the Crux 5.3-Qt. Digital Air Convection Fryer. Here’s what we found out.

The Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360: When the meat is prepared in this air fryer, it takes longer to cook. However, the thighs are cooked at an even temperature. Leaving you with a juicer meat. They are ready in 30-25 minutes at 400 degrees.

Here are some positive facts about this air fryer from the manufacturer:

• Better Than Convection and Toaster Ovens – 360° Quick Cook Technology and five super powerful heating elements mean your meals cook evenly on all sides in a whirlwind of super-heated air for crispy, delicious flavors. No added fats, oils, or unhealthy grease required. Get chef-quality results in one compact, 1500-Watt high power air fryer – 40% faster.

• Designed to cook your food using a 360° whirlwind of superheated air. This powerful countertop oven replaces up to nine different kitchen cooking accessories including a convection oven, toaster oven, and other appliances while reducing the number of calories in almost every meal!
• Includes cooking essentials each Emeril Lagasse power Airfryer 360 also includes a rotisserie spit, pizza rack, baking pan, drip tray, and crisper tray to help you make a range of different foods, including roast and fried chicken, salmon, authentic kebabs, restaurant-style pizza, and so much more.

Crux 5.3-Qt. Digital Air Convection Fryer: When the chicken is prepared in this air fryer, it takes less time to cook and resulting in a juicy, golden or lightly charred shrimp. At 380 degrees, the chicken is ready in about 25 minutes.

Here are some positive facts about this air fryer from the manufacturer:

• Grill, roast, bake or air fry with eight preset options, High-performance Circular Heat Technology for crispy, evenly cooked food
• Quick-heating stainless steel heating element, Adjustable temperature up to 400°F.

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More Air Fryer Recipes To Try

If you loved these air fryer Smoked Chicken Thighs, try the BBQ Air Fryer Drumsticks next.

Then try these air fryer dessert dishes – Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls with homemade cream cheese frosting or these Air Fryer Oreos.

You also should try this INSTANT POT AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS,  AIR FRYER GRILLED CHICKEN FAJITA SKEWERS, AIR FRYER BRUSSEL SPROUTS to serve a large family. 

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