Smoked chicken drumsticks on Traeger with BBQ sauce are great. Left whole or butterflied chicken legs are a healthy dinner and easy to eat with a smoky flavor. A protein packed low fat healthy meal that can be paired with just about any side dish.
My girls love chicken for dinner. Any cuts are a big win but these are easier for little hands to grab ahold of and I love how inexpensive they are. You don’t need to add barbecue or teriyaki sauce but adding some to the top sure makes them extra yummy if you ask my family. This is just one of our many easy smoker recipes we make often.
How Long to Smoke Chicken Drumsticks
Here we are sharing whole drumsticks and the timing for them below which is 30 minutes for our quick smoke method or 1.5-2 hours for low and slow at 250 degrees F. If you want altered versions like lollipop chicken drumsticks they would fall amongst the faster leg times and are a fun tweak for kiddos because the shape is a bit different.
For larger pieces with the drumstick and thigh attached they will take closer to 3 hours at 250, follow our smoked chicken leg quarters for those directions. Both are protein packed, moist and super juicy inside when done.
Ingredient Notes
You want about 2-3 drumsticks (also known as chicken legs which are the same thing just a different name). There is quite a big difference in the sizes you might find. We always buy organic poultry for the health benefits and they are always of small to medium sizes. I always suggest no bigger than medium or the timing will be much longer and the texture isn’t great. Beyond that you just need seasonings and/or bbq sauce is our favorite to slather on the skin to add flavor.
Depending on how large your grill is you could make quite a few at a time. It really doesn’t matter how many you make as long as the heat is even and they aren’t overlapping. You can make the best chicken leg recipes like this with your favorite sauce really, or just enjoy as is right when they are done. Wait until they are done to sauce or brush some on during the last 30 minutes or so so it kinda’ bakes on and gets thicker.ys best.
Should you smoke drumsticks wet or dry?
Both wet and dry methods can be effective, the choice depends on your preferences. Wet means with an added sauce to keep moist, or dry would use seasonings like our dry rub for chicken wings to add flavor instead. We like both but if you want the outside to be crisp, choose our dry rub.
For that you would want dry the outside with paper towels really well. Then rub with olive oil and roll into your rub allowing the excess to fall off. You can come up with your own blend, use ours, or buy a bottled bbq rub online. Any of these will create a killer flavor but you won’t get super crispy skin when smoked.
How do I get my smoked chicken skin crispy?
My family typically just peels the skin back so we don’t care about crisping, rather we want as tender as possible. If you want crispy chicken skin though I would suggest broiling for a few minutes or finishing in hot oil like our pan fried chicken legs.
Smoked Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Equipment
- 1 smoker
Ingredients
- 8-10 chicken legs, defrosted
- 1 tsp salt and pepper
- 1 c barbecue sauce, optional
Instructions
- Salt and pepper chicken legs, rub on and under skin. Set aside. Fill smoker with hardwood BBQ pellets.
- Prepare smoker by placing 2-3 long sheets of aluminum foil along the bottom of heating element, underneath the rack, for easy cleanup. Brush grill rack clean. Set smoker to smoke.
- Longer Smoke: Once it starts smoking, set temperature to 250°. Place chicken legs on smoker. Smoke for 1 1⁄2 to 2 hours. Spread BBQ sauce onto chicken legs during the last 30 minutes. When chicken reaches temperature, 165°, remove from smoker, and allow to rest 3-5 minutes.
- Quicker Smoke: Once it starts smoking, set temperature to 350°.◦ Place chicken legs on smoker.◦ Spread BBQ Sauce onto chicken legs, flip and rub on other side.◦ Smoke for 30 minutes.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Once you fall in love with these you might want another idea in regards to dark meat. We have also made smoked chicken thighs that were marinated first and out of this world.
What to make with leftovers
If you don’t finish all the meat save it in the fridge once it has cooled. There are tons of great Leftover Smoked Chicken Recipes to make the next day with it. Give it a whirl and let us know if you add a sauce we hadn’t thought of that we might enjoy. 😉
Oh I loved smoked food and these drumsticks look delicious! Cant wait to try it!
The meat was juicy and tender, with a perfect smoky flavor. The Traeger grill made the cooking process so easy and the end result was a hit with everyone! Can’t wait to make them again!
I love drumsticks, and this recipe was a big hit at my house! Definitely making again, thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂
Wow did these have flavor! So smoky!!
Yes!! I so agree that chicken drumsticks are the best (low fat, high protein, economical) and oh so tasty. Looking forward to trying your recipe. Thanks!!
These turned out perfectly. Tender, juicy and full of flavor.