Smoked Chicken Legs: The Ultimate Guide to Juicy, Flavorful Drumsticks

Transform ordinary chicken drumsticks into an extraordinary meal with this easy Smoked Chicken Legs recipe! Infused with delicious smoky flavor, seasoned with a quick homemade spice rub, and finished with your favorite tangy barbecue sauce, these drumsticks are a family favorite that will impress every time.

Chicken is undoubtedly one of the most popular and frequently consumed proteins in homes across the globe. Its versatility makes it a go-to for countless meals, but even beloved staples can sometimes become a bit monotonous. If you’re searching for a way to reinvigorate your weeknight dinner routine, look no further than these incredible Smoked Chicken Legs. They are anything but boring, offering a rich, deep flavor that stands out from typical baked or grilled chicken.

Beyond their exciting flavor, chicken drumsticks offer another significant advantage: they are often incredibly affordable. Keep an eye out for sales at your local grocery store, and you can stock up on drumsticks to keep in your freezer. This ensures that a deliciously smoky, tender, and flavor-packed meal is always within reach, ready to be prepared with minimal fuss and maximum impact. This recipe is designed to bring that gourmet smoked taste right to your table, even on a busy schedule.

Unlocking Flavor: The Magic of Smoking Chicken Legs

My passion for using a smoker to create diverse and flavorful recipes runs deep. It’s a cooking method that consistently adds an incredible depth of flavor with surprisingly little hands-on effort. My investment in a pellet smoker last summer completely revolutionized my outdoor cooking, and I honestly can’t imagine going back to other methods for certain dishes. The convenience of simply turning it on, setting the temperature, and letting it work its magic for hours on end is unparalleled.

This particular smoked chicken leg recipe epitomizes that ease and flavor combination. The slow cooking process on a smoker allows the chicken to become incredibly tender and juicy, while simultaneously infusing it with a distinctive smoky aroma that can’t be replicated. We enhance this natural deliciousness with a quick, potent spice rub and a final glaze of tangy barbecue sauce, resulting in a dish that is layered with flavor and utterly satisfying.

What You’ll Need for Outstanding Smoked Drumsticks

Preparing these perfectly smoked chicken legs requires just a few key ingredients, most of which you probably already have at home. Quality ingredients form the foundation of any great meal, and this recipe is no exception:

Chicken Legs: Opt for fresh chicken legs if possible, or ensure frozen ones are fully thawed before preparation. Uniformly sized drumsticks will cook more evenly.
Vegetable Oil: A thin coating of oil serves multiple purposes. It helps the spice rub adhere perfectly to the chicken skin and, crucially, prevents the skin from becoming dry and leathery during the smoking process, encouraging a more pleasant texture.
Barbecue Sauce: Choose your favorite barbecue sauce! Whether you prefer a sweet, spicy, tangy, or smoky variety, it will add a fantastic final layer of flavor and a beautiful glaze to your finished drumsticks.
Spice Rub: This is where much of the initial flavor infusion comes from. The recipe card below includes a fantastic homemade spice rub using everyday pantry items. However, if you have a beloved store-bought rub, feel free to use it. The goal is a balanced blend of sweet, savory, and aromatic spices to complement the smoky chicken.

The homemade spice rub recipe provided utilizes a blend of granulated sugar, brown sugar, chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, black peppercorns, chipotle powder, and a touch of cayenne pepper. This combination creates a perfect balance of sweetness, savory depth, and a mild heat, with the smoked paprika reinforcing the overall smoky profile.

How To Smoke Chicken Legs: A Simple Process for Maximum Flavor

Smoking chicken legs might sound complex, but it’s a wonderfully straightforward process that yields incredibly tender and flavorful results. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each step:

Preheat Your Smoker: The first crucial step is to get your smoker ready. Preheat it to a consistent 250º F (121º C). Maintaining a low and steady temperature is key to achieving that desirable smoky flavor and ensuring the chicken cooks thoroughly without drying out.
Prepare the Chicken: Before applying any seasoning, gently pat your chicken legs completely dry with paper towels. Excess moisture on the skin can prevent a crispy finish and hinder the rub’s adhesion. Next, lightly rub the chicken legs with about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, ensuring they are evenly coated. This oil layer acts as a binder for your spice rub and helps protect the skin, preventing it from becoming leathery as it cooks on the smoker.
Apply the Spice Rub: Generously sprinkle your homemade or preferred spice rub over all surfaces of the oiled chicken legs. Be sure to cover every inch for maximum flavor. For an even deeper infusion of flavor, you can let the chicken sit with the rub for 15-30 minutes at room temperature, or even refrigerate it for up to a few hours before smoking.
Load the Smoker: Carefully place the well-coated chicken legs directly onto the grates of your preheated smoker. Arrange them in a single layer, making sure there is enough space between each drumstick for the smoke and heat to circulate freely and evenly. Close the smoker lid and allow the chicken to cook for approximately 2 hours.
Monitor Internal Temperature: The cooking time is a guide, but the definitive indicator of doneness is the internal temperature. Use a reliable meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a drumstick, taking care to avoid hitting the bone. You are looking for the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165º F (74º C).
Sauce and Finish: Once the chicken reaches the desired internal temperature, it’s time to add a beautiful glaze. Brush your favorite barbecue sauce generously over all sides of the drumsticks. Return the sauced chicken to the smoker for an additional 10-15 minutes. This final cooking period allows the sugars in the barbecue sauce to caramelize, creating a wonderfully sticky, flavorful coating without burning.
Rest and Serve: After the saucing step, remove the smoked chicken legs from the smoker. Place them on a cutting board or platter and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes. This resting period is crucial as it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is incredibly moist and tender. Serve immediately and enjoy!

brushing chicken legs with barbecue sauce

Optimal Smoking Time and Temperature for Chicken Legs

Knowing exactly how long to smoke chicken legs is essential for achieving perfect results. At a consistent smoker temperature of 250º F (121º C), chicken legs typically take about 2 hours to cook through. However, relying solely on time can sometimes lead to undercooked or overcooked meat, as factors like the size of the drumsticks, your smoker’s efficiency, and even external weather conditions can influence cooking duration.

This is why a high-quality, instant-read meat thermometer is an indispensable tool for any home cook, especially when smoking. You want the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165º F (74º C). My go-to is the Thermapen Mk4, which I’ve relied on for years due to its speed and accuracy. Always insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, ensuring you don’t touch the bone, as bones heat up faster and can give a false reading.

Once your drumsticks hit 165º F, you’ll apply your favorite barbecue sauce. The chicken then goes back on the smoker for an additional 10-15 minutes. This brief period is just long enough for the sauce to warm through, thicken slightly, and develop a delicious caramelized glaze without scorching the sugars. This ensures your chicken is not only perfectly cooked and smoky but also beautifully coated and bursting with flavor.

Why Smoked Chicken Legs Are a Perfect Weeknight Meal

Many people associate smoking with an all-day affair, a weekend project requiring hours of dedication. However, these smoked chicken drumsticks defy that stereotype! With a cooking time of roughly 2 hours, they are surprisingly achievable even on a weeknight. The active prep time is minimal, allowing you to get dinner on the table without feeling overwhelmed. You can simply set your smoker and attend to other tasks while the magic happens.

Furthermore, the versatility of this recipe is a major bonus. While a classic barbecue rub and sauce are fantastic, you can easily experiment with different flavor profiles. Craving an Asian twist? Try a ginger-garlic rub with a soy-based glaze. Prefer something spicier? Amp up the cayenne and chipotle in your rub and finish with a hot sauce-infused BBQ sauce. Or perhaps a sweeter profile with a honey-mustard glaze. This foolproof method ensures delicious results regardless of your chosen flavor adventure, making it a never-ending source of exciting meals.

What Goes Well With Smoked Chicken Legs

To complete your smoked chicken leg feast, pair them with complementary side dishes that balance their rich, smoky flavor. Here are some excellent choices:

Grilled Potato Packs: These are incredibly convenient, cooking alongside your main dish and soaking up delicious flavors.
Lemon Herb Potato Salad: A bright and refreshing potato salad offers a lovely contrast to the hearty chicken.
Greek Salad: The crispness and tang of a Greek salad provide a fresh, light counterpoint.
Corn Fritters: Sweet and savory, these add a delightful texture and comfort food feel.
Creamy Coleslaw: The classic barbecue pairing, its cool crunch and creamy dressing are always a winner.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese: For ultimate comfort, a rich and cheesy mac and cheese is irresistible.
Roasted Seasonal Vegetables: Simple roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans with a touch of garlic and olive oil make for a healthy, easy side.

Explore More Smoking Recipes

Once you discover the ease and incredible flavor that smoking brings, you’ll likely want to expand your repertoire. The smoker is a fantastic tool for a wide variety of dishes, from classic meats to unexpected vegetables and even desserts. Here are some more of my favorite smoking recipes to inspire your next culinary adventure:

Smoked Chicken Wings
Smoked Meatloaf
Smoked Corn on the Cob
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Smoked Beef Short Ribs
Smoked Pork Loin
Smoked Pork Belly

close up chicken legs on a cutting board

4.75 from 4 votes

Smoked Chicken Legs

By
Erin Sellin

Smoked Chicken Legs – A deliciously easy way to cook chicken drumsticks! They are a little smoky, full of flavor from a quick spice rub, and tangy from your favorite barbecue sauce.

Prep:
10 minutes

Cook:
2 hours

Total:
2 hours 10 minutes

Servings:
6

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Ingredients

▢ 2 pounds chicken legs
▢ 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
▢ 1/4 cup spice rub
▢ 1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Spice Rub Recipe

▢ 2 Tablespoon granulated sugar
▢ 2 Tablespoon brown sugar
▢ 1 Tablespoon chili powder
▢ 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
▢ 1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
▢ 1 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
▢ 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
▢ 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
▢ 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
▢ 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

Preheat smoker to 250º F (121º C).
Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels, then rub oil evenly over them until well coated.
Sprinkle the spice rub generously and evenly over the drumsticks, ensuring all surfaces are covered.
Place the chicken directly on the smoker grates and cook for about 2 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165º F (74º C) when measured in the thickest part.
Once the chicken is up to temperature, brush with your favorite barbecue sauce and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize and set.
Remove from the smoker, let rest for 5-10 minutes, and serve immediately for the juiciest results.

Notes

Store leftover spice rub mixture in an airtight container for future use.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
2 hours

Total Time:
2 hours 10 minutes

Course:
Dinner Recipes

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
6

Calories:
380

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