Applewood-Smoked Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-20 · Updated 2026-04-20

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Chicken thighs smoked with applewood chips and seasoned with a simple herb blend, resulting in juicy, aromatic meat. This American-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, applewood smoke chips, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 American cuisine 250 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 pounds chicken thighs
1/4 cup applewood smoke chips
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (350°F) and soak 1/4 cup applewood smoke chips in water for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Pat the 2 pounds chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder, rubbing the spices into the skin.
Step 3: Place the chicken thighs on the grill and add the soaked applewood smoke chips to the smoker box. Cover and cook for 45 minutes, turning once, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden brown.
Step 4: Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.