Maple Blueberry BBQ Glazed Smoked Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy smoked chicken thighs finished with a sweet and tangy blueberry-maple BBQ glaze for a unique smoky-sweet flavor. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 135 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 120 min Serves 4 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Rub each thigh evenly with 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over them and massage to coat thoroughly.
  2. Step 2: Preheat smoker to 275°F using fruitwood like apple or cherry for a mild smoke. Place chicken thighs skin side up on the smoker rack and smoke for 1.5 to 2 hours until internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is crisp.
  3. Step 3: While chicken smokes, combine 1 cup fresh blueberries, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, mashing blueberries occasionally, until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from smoker and brush generously with the warm blueberry-maple BBQ glaze. Let rest 5 minutes before serving with extra glaze on the side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maple Blueberry BBQ Glazed Smoked Chicken Thighs take to make?

Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 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 Maple Blueberry BBQ Glazed Smoked Chicken Thighs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep kosher salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maple Blueberry BBQ Glazed Smoked Chicken Thighs?

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 Maple Blueberry BBQ Glazed Smoked Chicken Thighs 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 Maple Blueberry BBQ Glazed Smoked Chicken Thighs?

American bbq & smoked 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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