Smoked Blueberry-Bacon BBQ Chicken Thighs
Juicy smoked chicken thighs glazed with a unique blueberry and bacon-infused BBQ sauce, delivering a smoky-sweet flavor perfect for summer cookouts. This american-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 180 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 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup fresh Maine blueberries
- 4 slices bacon strips
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs evenly with 1 tbsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over and rub to coat.
- Step 2: Preheat smoker to 250°F and place the chicken thighs skin-side up on the grate. Smoke for 2 hours, maintaining steady smoke and temperature.
- Step 3: While chicken smokes, cook 4 bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then chop finely. In the same skillet, add 1 cup fresh Maine blueberries, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes until the blueberries burst and sauce thickens, then stir in the chopped bacon.
- Step 4: Brush the blueberry-bacon BBQ sauce generously onto the chicken thighs and smoke for another 30 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the glaze is sticky.
- Step 5: Remove chicken from smoker, let rest for 5 minutes, and serve topped with extra blueberry-bacon sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Blueberry-Bacon BBQ Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (15 min prep + 165 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 Smoked Blueberry-Bacon BBQ 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 Smoked Blueberry-Bacon BBQ 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 Smoked Blueberry-Bacon BBQ Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Smoked Blueberry-Bacon BBQ 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.
