These Traeger smoked chicken drumsticks are as easy to prepare as they are delicious! We like to keep them stocked in the fridge for a quick protein-packed snack. I also serve smoked chicken legs with smoked potatoes or a salad for a delicious meal!
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In the summer, we have our smoker going constantly. Whether we're making smoked pork jerky, smoked carne asada, or some juicy smoked burgers, there's always smoke billowing from our backyard, tempting the neighbors.
To make these smoked chicken drumsticks, I marinate them overnight in olive oil, lemon, and garlic marinade, then smoke them for a couple of hours on my Traeger. Since we love dark meat, we don't mind eating the drumsticks cold. Like smoked pizza, chicken can be enjoyed hot or cold. Leftover smoked chicken can be used to make BBQ chicken flatbread.
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This is a beginner smoker recipe that anyone can tackle. These smoked chicken legs only require a few hours of smoking time!
- If you don't have a smoker, the marinated chicken legs can be prepared on a grill!
- These smoked chicken legs can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a quick low-carb snack option. You can also debone and chop them, then add them to a Greek cucumber salad!
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
- Chicken: This recipe calls for 14 chicken drumsticks. However, you can easily double this recipe if you'd like.
- Oil: I used olive oil in the marinade, but avocado oil is another favorite.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is best, but bottled lemon juice can be substituted.
- Garlic: I like to use fresh garlic, but 1 teaspoon of garlic powder can be substituted.
- Spices: I only added sea salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper. However, you can add paprika, onion powder, or even your favorite spice rub. If you prefer your chicken spicy, I recommend adding a teaspoon of chipotle pepper and ½-1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
🍗 How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Prepare marinade by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, crushed garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional) in a small bowl or measuring cup.
Step 2: Place defrosted drumsticks in a gallon-sized ziplock bag and pour marinade over them. Message marinade into the chicken legs, then refrigerate for a minimum of two hours or overnight.
Step 3: Prepare Traeger or pellet grill by adding your favorite pellets, then preheating to 225°F. Select super smoke if you have that option. When the smoker comes to temperature, place chicken drumsticks on grill grates in a single layer and smoke for one hour.
Step 4: Crank the temperature up to 275°F and smoke until they reach an internal temperature of 175-180°F when checked by a probe or meat thermometer. Remove smoked chicken legs from the grill and rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Larger drumsticks may need 30 minutes longer.
Pro Tip: For crispier skin, finish the chicken drumsticks by searing them over high heat (450°F) for a few minutes on each side.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Smoked chicken legs can be served with a side of chipotle smoked mac and cheese, French onion fries, or some smoked corn on the cob. Of course, salads are a great side dish option too, especially during summer. Try this dill pickle salad, pear rocket salad, or a simple Arab salad!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
To get the chicken thighs to an internal temperature of 175-180°F, it will take a little over 2 hours at 225°F.
There are a few ways to ensure that smoked chicken has crispy skin. One way to do this is to pat the chicken dry with paper towels and allow it to dry on a rack overnight before smoking. Another option is to sear the chicken using high heat at the end.
If you go for the lower temperature when smoking chicken, you'll allow the chicken to smoke longer, resulting in a more smoky flavor. Smoking chicken longer also keeps the chicken moist.
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- Cooking time will be affected by many factors, including the outside temperature, how many times the lid is lifted, the size of the chicken drumsticks, and so on. The best way to judge doneness is with a meat thermometer.
- Apple, cherry, and pecan are all great pellet flavor options.
- You can crisp up the chicken skin in an air fryer or broil the smoked chicken until the skin is crispy.
- Store leftover chicken legs in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
🐔 More Chicken Recipes
Need more chicken recipe ideas? Here are some of our readers' favorites!
- Chicken potato bake
- Za'atar chicken
- Greek chicken souvlaki
- Chicken shawarma plate
- Sumac chicken
- Chicken Bulgogi recipe
- Air fryer frozen chicken wings
🥩 More Smoker Recipes
If you enjoy this Traeger smoked chicken drumsticks recipe, check out these other related recipes!
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📖 Recipe
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare marinade by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, crushed garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional) in a small bowl or measuring cup.
- Place defrosted drumsticks in a gallon-sized ziplock bag and pour marinade over them. Message the marinade into the chicken legs, then refrigerate for a minimum of two hours or overnight.
- Prepare Traeger or pellet grill by adding your favorite pellets, then preheating to 225°F. Select super smoke, if you have that option. When smoker comes to temperature, place chicken drumsticks on grill grates in a single layer and smoke for one hour.
- Crank temperature up to 275°F and smoke until they reach an internal temperature of 175-180°F when checked by a probe or meat thermometer. Remove chicken from grill and rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Larger drumsticks may need 30 minutes longer.
Nutrition
Notes
- For crispier skin, finish the chicken legs by searing them over high heat (450°F) for a few minutes on each side.
- Cooking time will be affected by many factors including the outside temperature, how many times the lid is lifted, the size of the chicken drumsticks, and so on. The best way to judge doneness is with a meat thermometer.
- Apple, cherry, and pecan are all great pellet flavor options.
- You can also crisp up the skin in an air fry or broil the smoked chicken until the skin is crispy.
- Store leftover chicken legs in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Louis says
Used this recipe for the first time, and the chicken came out great! Lots of flavor, juicy, lots of smoke in the meat, it was a hit for my family.
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you, Louis! So glad your family enjoyed it!