Smoked Chicken Thighs with Maple Thyme Glazed Squash
PREP TIME
10
MINS
IDLE TIME
N/A
HOURS
COOK TIME
30
MINS
PELLETS
Fruitwood
BLEND
SERVES
3-4
PEOPLE
How do you cook chicken thighs on a pellet grill?
Chicken thighs are one of the easiest and most flavorful cuts to cook on a pellet grill. Smoke them at 275°F to 325°F until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F to 185°F, which allows the dark meat to become tender and juicy while developing crispy, flavorful skin. Pairing smoked chicken thighs with seasonal vegetables like maple thyme glazed squash creates a complete wood-fired meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners or backyard gatherings.
This recipe comes from Robyn of GrillGirl.com. Check her out for more unique ideas to utilize your grill!
Ingredients:
- 1 18 X 12″ (half) sheet pan
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp sea salt (such as maldon, French grey, smoked, etc)
- 1 tbsp of fresh ground pepper
- ¾ lb delicata squash
- 1/2 lb turnips
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves removed from stems OR ½ tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Robyn’s Sheet Pan Dinner
Sheet pan dinners are SOOOO popular these days. But have you thought about trying this on your pellet smoker? If you can do it in your oven, you can EASILY do this in your pellet smoker, with the added bonus of smoky flavor! I made these on my Green Mountain Grill Daniel Boone.
This dinner was super easy to prepare and clean up and only took 40 minutes start to finish including prep and cook time. I used boneless chicken thighs to make things easy, paired with delicata squash and turnips I found at the farmers market. These can easily be switched out with whatever is in season such as butternut squash (cubed) and rainbow carrots instead of the turnips.
Directions:
-Set your grill to 350 degrees.
-Rinse the veggies before slicing. Using a mandoline slicer, slice the turnips and delicata squash with the largest slice setting – about 1/4″ thick. It is important to use a mandoline so that the veggies are sliced thin and uniform.
-Line a 12″ X 18” sheet pan with parchment or foil (parchment is better for the environment). Arrange the chicken on one side of the pan and place the squash and turnips on the other.
-Sprinkle the chicken with the smoked paprika.
-Sprinkle all ingredients with the salt, pepper and thyme.
-Drizzle the squash with maple syrup.
-Smoke the sheet pan dinner at 350 degrees, for 30 minutes, or until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 170 degrees.
-Serve immediately – easy peasy! The beauty of this recipe is that it combines the simplicity of the “sheet pan dinner” with the great flavor and ease of use of the Green Mountain Grill. If you can make it in your oven, you can easily make it in your pellet smoker!!
Contributed by >> Robyn at GrillGirl.com
FAQs
What temperature should chicken thighs be cooked on a pellet grill?
For tender meat and crispy skin, cook chicken thighs at 275°F to 325°F until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F to 185°F. Dark meat becomes more tender when cooked slightly beyond the minimum safe temperature.
How long do smoked chicken thighs take on a pellet grill?
Most chicken thighs cook in 60 to 90 minutes, depending on their size, whether they’re bone-in or boneless, and your cooking temperature.
What wood pellets are best for smoked chicken?
Apple, cherry, maple, and pecan pellets provide a mild smoke flavor that complements chicken without overpowering it. Maple pellets pair especially well with sweet glazes and roasted squash.
How do you get crispy chicken skin on a pellet grill?
Pat the chicken dry before seasoning, cook at a slightly higher finishing temperature, and avoid opening the grill frequently. These steps help render the fat beneath the skin and create a crisp, golden finish.
What side dishes go well with smoked chicken thighs?
Smoked chicken thighs pair well with maple glazed squash, roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, wild rice, cornbread, fresh salads, or seasonal vegetables for a complete wood-fired meal.
