Looking for a mouthwatering smoked chicken sliders recipe? Look no further! Easy, delicious, and sure to impress your guests.
Course
Main Course
Prep Time20minutes
Cook Time2hours
Servings6
Ingredients
2lbs900g boneless chicken thighs
2tablespoonsolive oil
2tablespoonspaprika
1tablespoongarlic powder
1tablespoononion powder
1tablespoonbrown sugar
1teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonblack pepper
1teaspooncayenne pepperadjust to taste
1cupbarbecue sauceyour choice
Slider buns
Picklesoptional
Instructions
Preparing the Chicken
In a small mixing bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to create your chicken rub.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub it in to ensure even coating.
Sprinkle the chicken rub mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs, pressing it into the meat. Let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Firing Up the Smoker
Meanwhile, prepare your smoker for indirect heat at 225°F (107°C). If using charcoal, add charcoal briquettes to one side of the smoker and place a drip pan filled with water on the other side. If using a wood pellet smoker, set it to the desired temperature with your choice of fruitwood or hardwood pellets.
Smoking the Chicken
Once your smoker reaches the desired temperature, place the seasoned chicken thighs on the grate, skin side up. Close the lid and let them smoke for about 1.5 to 2 hours.
After the first hour of smoking, baste the chicken thighs with barbecue sauce using a basting brush. Repeat this process every 30 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
When the chicken hits the magic temperature, remove it from the smoker and tent it with aluminum foil. Let it rest for 10 minutes to lock in those juices.
Assembling the Sliders
Slice the slider buns in half and toast them lightly on the smoker or grill for that perfect crispiness.
Place a piece of smoked chicken on the bottom half of each bun and top it off with the other half of the bun. You can also add pickles for extra zing, if you like.