If you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to cook chicken legs, then smoking them is the perfect option! In this post, we’ll show you how to make smoked chicken legs at home using a smoker or grill.
So fire up your smoker or grill and get ready to enjoy some delicious smoked chicken legs!
Smoked chicken legs
Chicken legs are the perfect food for any occasion. They’re easy to cook, full of flavor, and versatile enough to please even the pickiest eaters.
The history of smoked chicken
Smoked chicken first became popular in the United States during the late 19th century. It was originally made with smoked drumsticks, which were smoked over a fire for several hours.
The smoked drumsticks were then simmered in a pot of water until they were cooked through.
This method of cooking smoked chicken was used for many years until the mid-20th century when it began to be made with other cuts of chicken.
Smoked Chicken legs seasoning
Smoked chicken legs are a delicious and easy way to enjoy smoked chicken. The first step is to soak the chicken in a brine solution for at least two hours.
This will help to keep the chicken moist during the smoking process. Next, prepare your smoker seasoning according to our given smoked chicken legs recipe below.
How to make smoked chicken legs (Recipe)
Smoked Chicken Legs Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and salt and pepper.
- Rub the mixture all over the chicken legs.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken legs and cook for 3 minutes per side or until golden brown.
- Place the chicken legs in a baking dish.
- Add the onion and garlic and bake for 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Pour the canned tomatoes over the chicken and bake for 5 minutes or until heated through.
- Drizzle with apple cider vinegar before serving.
Nutrition
Step 1
Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Season your chicken legs with your desired spices. We recommend using a combination of salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
Step 3
Place the chicken legs in the smoker and smoke for 3-4 hours or until the internal temperature of the chicken legs reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 4
Remove the chicken legs from the smoker and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
5. Enjoy!
The best wood to smoke chicken legs
Smoked chicken drumsticks are my all-time favorite smoked food. I love the smoked flavor, and the drumsticks cook up juicy and delicious.
My go-to wood for smoking chicken legs is hickory. Hickory smoked chicken legs have a bold, smoky flavor that stands out. The key to smoked chicken legs is to cook them low and slow so the meat stays juicy and moist.
I like to smoke chicken legs at 225 degrees for about 2 hours. This cooking method ensures that the skin gets nice and crispy while the meat remains tender and juicy.
If you’re looking for a wood that will give your smoked chicken legs a bold, delicious flavor, hickory is the way to go.
Smoked chicken legs pairing
Smoke chicken legs are the perfect pairing for any outdoor event. Their succulent, smokey flavor goes great with anything from potato salad to coleslaw.
And, because they’re already cooked, all you need to do is heat them up and enjoy. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or just looking for a quick and easy meal, smoke chicken legs are always a hit.
So fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy some delicious smoke chicken legs.
Tips for smoking chicken legs
If you’re looking for a delicious way to cook chicken legs, smoking them is a great option. Here are a few tips to help you get the best results:
- Choose the right type of wood. Depending on the flavor you’re going for, different types of wood will give your chicken a different taste. For example, hickory is a classic smoke flavor, while mesquite imparts a more intense smoke flavor.
- Season the chicken well. Just like with any other type of chicken, you’ll want to make sure your legs are well-seasoned before smoking them. A simple rub of salt, pepper, and garlic powder is always a good option.
- Cook low and slow. Smoking chicken legs takes a bit of time, but it’s worth it! Slow cooking helps to infuse the smoke flavor into the meat without drying it out. Aim for an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the chicken rest before eating. Just like with any other type of meat, it’s important to let smoked chicken legs rest for a few minutes before cutting into them. This allows the juices to redistribute, making for juicier and more flavorful chicken.
- Enjoy!
How Long to Smoke Chicken Legs
Have you ever wondered how long to smoke chicken legs? If you’re smoking at a low temperature, around 225 degrees Fahrenheit, it will take about 2 hours to cook chicken legs.
However, if you crank up the heat to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, you can reduce the cooking time to just 1 hour. So, there’s no need to wait all day for your chicken legs to be ready – a quick smoke will do the trick.
Just remember to adjust the cooking time depending on the temperature of your smoker.
