Slow-Smoked Hickory Chicken with Classic Coleslaw

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

Juicy chicken thighs slowly smoked over hickory wood until tender and smoky, paired with a crisp, tangy homemade coleslaw for a perfect BBQ combo. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 225 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, hickory wood chips, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 45 min Cook: 180 min Serves 4 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder to make a marinade. Toss 8 bone-in chicken thighs in the marinade until fully coated and let rest for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Soak 2 cups hickory wood chips in water for 30 minutes. Preheat smoker to 225°F and add soaked wood chips to generate smoke. Place chicken thighs skin side up on the smoker rack and smoke for 2.5-3 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and skin is beautifully smoky and tender.
  3. Step 3: While chicken smokes, prepare coleslaw by combining 4 cups shredded cabbage and 1 cup grated carrot in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp celery seed, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss until evenly coated. Refrigerate coleslaw for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  5. Step 5: Serve smoked chicken thighs hot alongside a generous scoop of coleslaw for a refreshing balance.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Small appliances → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Smoked Hickory Chicken with Classic Coleslaw take to make?

Total time is about 225 minutes (45 min prep + 180 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 Slow-Smoked Hickory Chicken with Classic Coleslaw?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Smoked Hickory Chicken with Classic Coleslaw?

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 Slow-Smoked Hickory Chicken with Classic Coleslaw 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 Slow-Smoked Hickory Chicken with Classic Coleslaw?

American 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.

Related recipes