How long to smoke chicken thighs
Smoke chicken thighs at 250°F for about 2 to 2.5 hours, and pull at 175°F, or up to 195°F for tender dark meat (safe at 165°F). That is for chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on), at the heat shown; the calculator above has each heat a source gives a time for.
Rest 5 to 10 minutes before slicing or pulling. USDA counts chicken thighs safe at 165°F; a thermometer in the thickest part tells you more than the clock.
More poultry
Questions
What temperature do you pull chicken thighs at?
175°F, or up to 195°F for tender dark meat (safe at 165°F). Cook to that temperature rather than to the clock.
How long should chicken thighs rest?
5 to 10 minutes, loosely covered or wrapped, before slicing or pulling.
Should I cook to time or to temperature?
To temperature. The time tells you when to start and when to start checking; the meat is ready when the thickest part reaches its pull temperature.
Does my smoker change the time?
Not at the same temperature, as far as any cooker maker or test says. What changes is how steady it holds: keep the lid or door shut and the fire even, and the time holds too.