Easy Smoked Chicken Drumsticks
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Gather your friends and family for game day with these easy smoked chicken drumsticks. The recipe starts with a convenient package of pre-seasoned drumsticks from Costco, making it a simple and stress-free meal. We made these delicious drumsticks for a football night with our kids, and they were a huge hit!
Thanks to Costco, there’s no need for additional prep since they’ve already seasoned the chicken with a spice rub for you. If you don’t have access to a Costco, don’t worry! In the recipe notes, I’ve included instructions on how to season the chicken yourself. Still, I must say, the seasoning Costco uses is fantastic and our taste buds were doing a touchdown dance. The smoke flavor, combined with their special blend of spices, makes these drumsticks perfect for any gathering!
Ingredients to make Easy Smoked Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce
- COSTCO PRE-SEASONED DRUMSTICKS
- BBQ SAUCE, OPTIONAL (I PREFER SWEET BABY RAY’S SAUCE, OR USE YOUR FAVORITE BARBECUE SAUCE)
How to Make Easy Smoked Chicken legs
You want to set the drumsticks on the counter while you preheat the smoker to 275 degrees F. You can pick the type of pellets you like. We used Traeger’s BBQ select pellets, which are a mixture of oak, hickory, and maple.
After prepping your drumsticks, place them on the smoker and cook them directly on the grill grates for about 80 minutes. The goal is to bring the internal temperature of the chicken legs to 165°F. After the first hour, start checking the drumsticks’ temperature using a meat thermometer. This ensures the meat stays juicy and tender without overcooking.
Once the chicken reaches the proper temperature, it’s time to crisp up the skin and add BBQ sauce if desired. Turn the smoker up to 400 degrees. It may never reach 400 degrees while you are crisping the skin, and that’s okay.
You just want to achieve a higher heat to get crispy chicken skin. Rotate as needed to crisp up all of the skin. To achieve a crispy finish, you leave the drumsticks on the smoker for an additional 15-20 minutes. Achieving crispy skin while ensuring juicy meat is key.
If you love BBQ sauce, like Sweet Baby Ray’s, slather it on for extra flavor. This last step will caramelize the sauce if you are using some. Whether you opt for sauce or enjoy the natural smoky flavor, these drumsticks are guaranteed to be a hit, with crispy skin and juicy meat that’s packed with smoky goodness.
Turn the smoker up to 400 degrees. It may not ever reach 400 degrees while you are crisping the skin, and that’s okay. You just want to achieve a higher heat to crisp up the skin and caramelize the sauce if you are using some. Rotate as needed to crisp up all of the skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of wood chips should I use for smoking chicken drumsticks?
Fruitwoods such as apple or cherry are excellent choices for smoked chicken drumsticks as they impart a sweet, mild flavor that complements the chicken. Hickory is another good option if you prefer a stronger, smoky flavor. I used a combination of oak, hickory, and maple.
How should I store and reheat leftover smoked chicken drumsticks?
Leftover smoked drumsticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To maintain their moisture and flavor, they should be reheated in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
What sauces pair well with smoked chicken drumsticks?
Smoked chicken pairs well with a variety of sauces, including BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, honey mustard, or even a simple drizzle of hot sauce.
What sides are good to serve with these drumsticks?
Serve these up with classics like mac and cheese, corn on the cob, or a simple salad.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
Easy Smoked Chicken Drumsticks
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 14 or so Costco pre-seasoned drumsticks
- 1 cup bbq sauce optional I use Sweet Baby Ray’s when I use sauce
Instructions
- Place your drumstick out on the counter while you preheat your smoker. Preheat your pellet smoker to 275 degrees.
- Place your drumsticks on the smoker and cook for 80-90 minutes until it reaches 165 degrees. Start checking the temperature on your chicken after 1 hour of cooking.
- Once they reach 165 degrees, turn up the smoker to 400 degrees. If you want to add bbq sauce to the drumstick, now is the time to brush it on. Rotate the chicken as needed to crisp up the skin. This should take about 15-20 minutes. Remove from the smoker and allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe is adapted from Chiles and Smoke.
