Smoked Chicken Legs offer a rich, smoky flavor that makes them irresistibly delicious. Whether enjoyed on their own or paired with your favorite BBQ sauce, these legs are bursting with taste in every bite.
Smoked Chicken Legs
I know that sometimes all you want is a straightforward smoked chicken legs recipe, and this one delivers exactly that. It’s an authentic BBQ chicken legs recipe with no extra fuss. This tried-and-true method ensures juicy meat, crispy skin, and rich flavor in every bite of your smoked chicken legs.
This simple smoked chicken leg recipe is highly adaptable, allowing you to customize it to your liking. Experiment with the smoke flavor and seasonings to match your taste preferences—trust me, the possibilities are endless!
One of the best perks of smoking chicken legs? Drumsticks are incredibly affordable! I often find them at the grocery store for as low as 99 cents per pound. Now that’s a BBQ bargain! Chicken legs are perfect for beginners learning to smoke, offering a budget-friendly way to hone your skills without breaking the bank.
Smoked Chicken Legs Seasoning
The first step in preparing our smoked chicken legs is the seasoning. I prefer using a flavorful sweet rub for the best results. You can purchase my Signature Sweet Rub from Patio Provisions or make it yourself using this Best Sweet Rub recipe, which combines 8 incredible ingredients like brown sugar and smoked paprika. This well-balanced rub finishes with a hint of heat for the perfect flavor.
Before applying the sweet rub to these chicken legs, be sure to coat them generously with olive oil first; this not only prevents the skin from becoming chewy and leathery but also ensures the seasoning sticks well to the chicken.
How to Smoke Chicken Legs
Friends, smoking chicken legs is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to get started. As noted earlier, they’re budget-friendly too. I believe smoked chicken legs are an excellent choice for beginners learning the art of smoking. For seasoned pitmasters, they’re also ideal for a quick, flavorful weekday dinner.
Here’s the ins and outs on how to smoke chicken legs:
- Preheat: Set your smoker to 275°F. This temperature, along with a drizzle of olive oil, is essential to ensure the chicken legs don’t develop leathery skin.
- Season: Coat the chicken legs evenly with olive oil, then season them generously using my Sweet Rub for a rich flavor.
- Smoke: Place the chicken legs directly on the grill grates and smoke for about 1 1/2 hours, aiming for an internal temperature of 175°F. If you prefer sauced chicken legs, brush on your favorite BBQ sauce when they reach 165°F. (Check out my 3 amazing sauces at Patio Provisions!)
- Enjoy: Let the chicken legs rest for a few minutes before savoring their delicious flavor.
As previously suggested, feel free to experiment! Switch up the type of wood for smoking the legs, or try a new blend of seasonings or BBQ sauce. You can even split your chicken legs and apply one rub or sauce combination to half, and a different one to the other. There’s no wrong way to season these chicken legs!
How Long to Smoke Chicken Legs
Smoking chicken legs typically takes about 90 minutes (one and a half hours), though the exact time may vary. To ensure perfect results, it’s essential to use a dependable meat thermometer as you approach the 90-minute mark. The ThermoWorks Mk4 is top-notch, but the ThermoPop offers a budget-friendly alternative.
Chicken legs should be smoked until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F. If you’re smoking the legs without sauce, remove them from the smoker at 175°F. However, if you plan to add BBQ sauce, brush the sauce on when the internal temperature hits 165°F. The final 10 degrees on the smoker will allow the sauce to caramelize and tighten. Pro tip: thin your BBQ sauce with a bit of apple juice to make it easier to spread on the chicken legs.I recommend trying both! Keep some chicken legs dry and brush the rest with BBQ sauce for a delicious mix at dinnertime. It’s a guaranteed winner for your next chicken dinner!
Smoked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken legs
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon Signature Sweet Rub
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 275°F to ensure the skin stays tender and avoids becoming leathery.
- Coat the chicken legs evenly with olive oil, then generously season all sides with the sweet rub.
- Position the chicken legs on the smoker, close the lid, and let them smoke for 1 1/2 hours, or until their internal temperature hits 175°F. For an optional step, when the temperature reaches 165°F, brush the legs with your preferred BBQ sauce—thinning it with apple juice can create a smooth glaze instead of a thicker coating.
- Detach the legs from the smoker, allow them to rest briefly, and then savor the results!