Chicken leg smoker recipes: 5 best variations

Chicken leg smoker recipes are the one thing you need to know if you’re living in a humid, Southern town that’s big on barbeques. It’s all about the chicken leg smoker recipes you pick, not how much you spend on your grill.

These recipes are the best of the best and will leave your friends drooling over your every word. You’ll be the star of every party and make a great impression when it’s time for potlucks or having people over.

What are the Chicken leg smoker recipes?

The chicken leg smoker recipes are the most popular. Chicken leg smoking has been around for a long time and has been getting a lot better as time goes on. Chicken leg smoker recipes are the easiest recipes you’ll ever make. There are a lot of ingredients but you don’t really have to put any effort or time into it.

How Long Will It Take to Prepare?

• Prepare time: 25 minutes
• Cook time: 2 hours
• Total time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Serving: 1-2
• Smoker Temp: 180°F (82°C)

How to make Chicken leg smoker recipes?

Ingredients:

• Two tablespoons of vegetable oil (if using a gas or electric smoker)
• Some tiny chicken legs (with thighs and drumsticks)

Rub:

• One tablespoon of chilli powder
• One teaspoon paprika
• One teaspoon of ground cumin

Baste:

• ¼ cup molasses
• Two tablespoons of butter or margarine, melted

Topping:

• ½ cup ketchup
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• One tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

Step:1

If you are using a charcoal smoker, you’ll need to light the coals. Heat the smoker to 180 °F (82 °C). In this recipe, we use the Traeger Smoker.

Step:2

If your wood is not already in the smoker, add it now.

Step:3

Lay the thighs and skin side on a platter or baking sheet, and brush them with oil.

Step:4

Rub the chilli powder and paprika over the thighs.

Step:5

Wash any dirt or debris off the drumsticks with cool water, then pat them dry with a paper towel before brushing them with oil.

Step:6

Apply a liberal amount of the cumin rub to both sides of each drumstick, leaving about one inch (2.5 cm) bare at the top and bottom and about two inches (5 cm) bare on each side.

Step:7

Baste each drumstick with the molasses and melted butter.

Step:8

Lay the drumsticks about 6 inches (15 cm) apart in a shallow smoking pouch, then close the smoker’s lid. Cook for two hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the centre of a thigh registers 165°F (74°C).

Additional Tips:

Preheat your charcoal grill for at least 30 minutes before you turn your smoker on to prepare the wood.

To smoke chicken legs in a wood smoker, use a mixture of dry hickory and pecan wood, which is aromatic and sweet.  This mix is best for chicken leg smokers but can also be used for making bacon, brisket, and pork butt

Use the middle rack of your smoker. If you prefer not to use smoked salt, you can use seasoned salt instead.

Nutrition facts of Chicken leg smoker recipes:

The 5 best variations of Chicken leg smoker recipes-

1. Chicken leg guacamole:

After smoking the chicken legs for 2 hours, remove them from the smoker and baste them with a mix of half mayonnaise and half sour cream to create a creamy, herby, smoky coating. Place the chicken on a serving plate and cover it with salsa or your favourite guacamole.

2. Chicken leg jambalaya:

To create a simple jambalaya, smoked chicken legs are cooked with white rice, fresh green beans, and onions, with the seasonings of your choice. It’s always a good idea to offer small condiments like pickles (if they are not part of the recipe) and chilli peppers.

3. Chicken leg souvlaki:

To make chicken leg souvlaki, gently smoke the chicken legs using only salt and pepper before serving. They need to be sliced into strips before serving. Or, you can make chicken leg souvlaki by skewing the legs on the skewer and placing them over the rub. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges to squeeze on top.

4. Chicken leg sandwiches:

For hot chicken leg sandwiches, grill using your rotisserie or, if you don’t have one, place in your smoker until well smoked. Serve with cheddar cheese and honey mustard sauce.

5. Chicken leg tacos:

To make chicken leg tacos, smoke the chicken legs and then top them with shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, and some salsa. You can also add a slice of lime if you want to play up on a Mexican theme. Taco seasoning or paste can also add flavour when preparing your chicken legs.

What are the health benefits of Chicken leg smoker recipes?

There is no denying the fact that smoking meats can be delicious and healthy. When you smoke meat, a process that has been around since the beginning, you get all the benefits of smoking without additional health risks. This includes flavouring, preserving, and cooking without exposing your food to chemicals or adding artificial preservatives.

Smoking chicken legs does not only taste great, but it is also good for you. Studies have found that chicken leg barbecue recipes are beneficial for reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels in people who are considered to be at risk of heart disease. Smokey foods are also known to make foods moister because of their intense smoke flavour.

The health benefits of chicken leg barbecue recipes include improving peoples’ memories and promoting a healthy lifestyle by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The antioxidants and amino acids in the smoke help prevent oxidation, leading to cellular damage.

What is the best way to clean your smoker after smoking something in it?

The best way to clean your smoker is to let it cool down and scrub it with a wire brush. Then, wipe it down with a damp cloth. Be careful not to use too much water, or it could rust.

How long does it take for chicken leg recipes to smoke?

You should begin with the smoker at 200°F and then check your smoker and adjust the temperature if necessary. Cook for 2 hours, or until a pronounced smoke flavour permeates the meat, quickly pulling away from the bone or drumstick with a fork.

What do you eat with Chicken leg smoker recipes?

You can use chicken leg barbecue recipes as the base for many other dishes, including chicken leg tacos, chicken leg souvlaki, and smoked chicken legs. Or, you can use them for sandwiches, salads, and more.

What kind of wood chips do you use?

For smoking meats, use a mixture of dry hickory and pecan wood, which is aromatic and sweet. This mix can also make bacon, brisket, and pork butt. Turning wood chips into your smoker is more effective than burning them in a fire pit.

How long will the meat stay fresh after being smoked?

It is best to use the smoked meat within one or two days of smoking and refrigerate or freeze the rest immediately after smoking. If you plan to freeze your smoked meats, vacuum seals them to reduce freezer burn.

How long do chicken legs last in the freezer?

You can keep them in the freezer for about six months, and they should be thawed before you plan on using them for a recipe.

Conclusion

Chicken leg smoker recipes are popular not only with barbecue enthusiasts but also as quick snacks and meals that can be cooked in a short amount of time. Smokey chicken legs are also perfect for bringing to your next family gathering or potluck event.

If you want to add some variety to your smoked dishes, try experimenting with different wood chips. You can even use two or more types of wood chips simultaneously.