Smoked and Fried Buttermilk Chicken Thighs
What’s better than fried chicken? SMOKED Fried chicken!
Servings 4
Calories 988kcal
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp BBQ rub Use our chicken BBQ rub
Brine
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp black pepper ground
For the coating:
- 2 cups AP flour
- 1 tbsp salt
- 3 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 2 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ tsp cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- 2 cups buttermilk
- vegetable oil for deep frying
- honey or maple to serve
Instructions
- To make the brine, combine 2 cups buttermilk with salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper in a large plastic or glass bowl,
- Submerge the chicken thighs fully in the brine. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4–5 hours.
- Preheat your smoker to 225–250°F using a light fruit wood like peach or apple.
- Remove thighs from the brine and wipe off excess. Reserve 2 cups of buttermilk. Place on a wire rack over a tray and season both sides with chicken rub.
- Smoke for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 135–140°F or takes on a nice golden color.
- Smoke chicken thighs for around 45 minutes, or until you are happy with the color, or until chicken reaches 135-140F.
- While the chicken is smoking, in one bowl, mix all flour coating ingredients. In a second bowl, add the remaining 2 cups of buttermilk.
- About 10 minutes before the thighs finish smoking, preheat your oil to 300–325°F in a deep fryer or heavy pot.
- Dip each thigh in buttermilk, then dredge in the flour mixture. For extra crunch, repeat the dip and dredge.
- Gently place thighs into the oil, 2–3 at a time. Fry for 3–4 minutes or until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temp).
- Transfer to a wire rack over a tray and keep warm in a low oven while frying the rest.
- Drizzle with honey or maple if desired and enjoy.
Nutrition
Calories: 988kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 235mg | Sodium: 3794mg | Potassium: 812mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 663IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 203mg | Iron: 6mg
