Ready for a juicy, budget friendly, smoked meat recipe? Try these Parmesan Garlic Smoked Chicken Legs! From the first sizzle on the grill to the final mouthwatering bite, discover the secrets to creating juicy, tender smoked chicken legs that will have adding these to your rotation. Plus they make an easy weeknight dinner!
Whether you call them smoked chicken drumsticks, drummys, or chicken legs… this recipe is easy to follow and has great results. Get ready to impress your family and friends with irresistibly delicious smoked chicken legs that will have them coming back for more. Let’s fire up the smoker!
Why I love these Parmesan Garlic Smoked Chicken Legs
- Just four ingredients– you may already even have some of the ingredients.
- Budget friendly– this whole recipe cost about $12 with having to buy sauce/seasonings.
- Super juicy chicken– seriously juicy.
- The kids even liked it– my little one destroyed these.
- Quick smoke time- these are done in about 1 1/2 hours!
That package of chicken drumsticks cost me about $6.30! That is way better than the current prices of chicken breasts, wings, or whole fryer chickens. We ate on these for a couple days!
Ingredients Needed for this smoked chicken drumsticks recipe
| 🍗Chicken Legs (drumsticks)- Whatever you call them, drumsticks are just that portion of the full leg. 🍗Olive Oil- Used this to help prevent sticking to the grates and it helps with moisture to the meat. 🍗Parmesan Ranch Seasoning– I have used and loved this Blackstone seasoning for years, usually they have it at Walmart or anywhere Blackstone products are sold. If you don’t have is you can easily use seasonings such as salt, garlic powder, ranch seasoning, SPG, or a poultry rub. 🍗Parmesan Garlic Wing Sauce– You can buy Buffalo Wild Wing’s brand or store brand works just fine. |
Watch the video below!
Preparing the chicken legs for smoking
Step 1: Pat dry the chicken legs. I like to trim any unwanted parts, too. Then drizzle with some olive oil and rub it in to all sides of the drumsticks. Try to get under the skin, too.
Next sprinkle with some parmesan ranch seasoning and rub it in to all sides as well.
How long to smoke chicken legs
Step 2: Transfer the chicken legs to the smoker and place directly onto the grates. Close the lid and smoke for about 1 1/2 hours total at 275 degrees F.
Step 3: About 1/2 way through cooking, flip the chicken legs.
Step 4: When you have about 10 minutes left (or the internal temperature reaches 155-160 degrees F) brush the drumsticks with some of the garlic parmesan wing sauce and continue to cook. Make sure to have your favorite meat thermometer near by.
Internal temperature chicken legs
The chicken is finished when the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F. I like to let them roll a little longer until 170 degrees. This will help render the fat inside some of the darker chicken and break down the collagen as well, resulting in some juicier chicken!
Then when they rest for a few minutes the internal temperature will rise a few more degrees as well.
Best pellets for chicken
Chicken is very mild so you really can’t go wrong with what type of pellets you use. We generally always just use Traeger’s Signature Blend but pecan, apple, or any other milder pellet will work!
What to serve with these Traeger smoked chicken legs
These Parmesan Garlic Smoked Chicken Legs will go great with a salad, some smoked potatoes, some veggies, or even some corn on the cob! Whatever you feel like!
Like this smoked chicken drumsticks recipe? Check out my:
- Jalapeno Popper Smoked Chicken Pasta
- Juicy Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken Drumsticks
- Parmesan Ranch Smoked Chicken Wings
Commonly Asked Questions
Why smoke chicken legs at 275?
This temperature will help prevent leathery skin from forming. Plus this helps keep a quick smoke time.
Why 170 degrees?
Pulling the chicken at 170-175 is a great temperature for chicken legs and thighs that have darker meat. It helps break down collagen and render fat for more juicy tender results.
What other seasonings can I use?
Any chicken rub will work, a simply SPG, or your own blend of garlic powder, salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning.
Why use olive oil on the chicken?
I used olive oil to help the rub adhere to the chicken, retain moisture, and help prevent sticking to the smoker grates.
Make sure to PIN IT!
Parmesan Garlic Smoked Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs. Chicken Legs drumsticks
- Olive oil
- Parmesan Ranch Seasoning Blackstone or similar
- Garlic Parmesan Wing Sauce
Instructions
- Pat dry the chicken legs and drizzle with some olive oil and rub it in to all sides of the drumsticks. Try to get under the skin, too.
- Sprinkle with some parmesan ranch seasoning and rub it in to all sides.
- Transfer the chicken legs to the smoker and place directly onto the grates. Close the lid and smoke for about 1 1/2 hours total at 275 degrees F.
- About 1/2 way through cooking, flip the chicken legs.
- When you have about 10 minutes left (or the internal temperature reaches 155-160 degrees F) brush the drumsticks with some of the garlic parmesan wing sauce and continue to cook.
- The chicken is ready to pull at 170 degrees F (or at least a minimum of 165). Let rest for a few minutes before serving and enjoying .
