Grilled Pecan-Smoked Chicken with Honey-Chipotle Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy grilled chicken thighs smoked with pecan wood and brushed with a sweet and spicy honey-chipotle glaze. This southern united states-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes turns bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, chipotle powder, smoked paprika into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Southern United States cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp chipotle powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium heat (about 350°F). Drain pecan wood chips and place them in a smoker box or wrap in foil with holes poked. Place on grill grates to produce smoke.
  3. Step 3: Brush chicken thighs with 2 tbsp olive oil and grill skin-side down over indirect heat for 25 minutes with pecan smoke, flipping once halfway, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Step 4: While chicken cooks, whisk together 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp minced chipotle in adobo sauce, and 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
  5. Step 5: During the last 5 minutes of grilling, brush chicken thighs generously with the honey-chipotle glaze and continue grilling until glaze is sticky and caramelized. Remove from grill and rest 5 minutes before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Pecan-Smoked Chicken with Honey-Chipotle Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Pecan-Smoked Chicken with Honey-Chipotle Glaze?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Pecan-Smoked Chicken with Honey-Chipotle Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Pecan-Smoked Chicken with Honey-Chipotle Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Pecan-Smoked Chicken with Honey-Chipotle Glaze?

Southern United States chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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