Smoked chicken drumsticks on a Traeger are delicious and easy to cook. They have a deep, smoky flavor with caramelized, crispy skin. Whether you want a quick and easy chicken dish for a BBQ cookout or a healthy and quick evening summer meal, we have you covered!
Table of contents
My Family Loves Traeger Drumsticks
My family loves chicken drumsticks for dinner. They are incredibly delicious, easy to eat, very budget-friendly, low in fat, and high in protein. The kids love nothing more than eating with their hands, and chicken drummies come with a handy handle.
The best part is that they don’t need a sauce, but adding a touch of barbecue or teriyaki sauce on top takes them to a new level of yumminess.
Shopping List
- Chicken drumsticks
- Kosher Salt
- Basting sauce of your choice or see our homemade BBQ sauce below
- Store Brought Dry Rub, or see the homemade recipe below.
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
How to make smoked chicken drumsticks on a Traeger grill
So there we have it! I hope you enjoy this smoker recipe for chicken drumsticks by following the below steps:
1. Give The Chicken Drumsticks a Rub
Preheat the smoker to 250°F and ensure you have enough pellets.
If you’re making the dry rub, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Then pat the drumsticks dry. Cover the drumsticks generously with the rub. Then, shake off the excess rub and place the drumsticks on a cutting board to transport to the smoker.
2. Smoke
When the smoker comes to temperature, place the drumsticks directly on the grill grate and away from the heat.
Insert the temperature probes and monitor. Smoke for 60-90 minutes. Brush BBQ sauce on the drumsticks in the last 30 minutes; when the chicken is 165°F, remove it from the smoker.
If you want the skin to go crispy, turn the temperature on the Traeger up to 400°F for the last 10 minutes. You can also add honey or sugar to your dry rub. This will help to caramelize the chicken skin and create crispy skin
Be careful to make sure the probe is not touching the bone for a faulty reading and check the largest drumstick.
3. Rest & Serve
Remove the chicken drumsticks from the Traeger and rest for 10 minutes.
What Temperature to Smoke The Chicken Drumsticks?
For best results, smoke the chicken drumsticks at a temperature of 250°F – 270°F it takes 1.5-2 hours for the temperature to reach 165°F A calibrated digital meat thermometer is the most accurate and safe way to monitor the chicken
What To Serve With Them?
These chicken drumsticks make a perfect game-day appetizer, entree, or main. Here is what I like to serve with them
Traeger Smoked Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- Traeger pellet grill
Ingredients
- 3 lb Chicken Legs or Chicken or Quarters
- 2 tbsp Chicken Rub
- 3 tbsp BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 250°F and ensure you have enough pellets.
- If you’re making the dry rub, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Then pat the drumsticks dry. Cover the drumsticks generously with the rub. Then, shake off the excess rub and place the drumsticks on a cutting board to transport to the smoker.
- When the smoker comes to temperature, place the drumsticks directly on the grill grate and away from the heat.
- Insert the temperature probes and monitor. Smoke for 60-90 minutes. Brush BBQ sauce on the drumsticks in the last 30 minutes; when the chicken is 165°F, remove it from the smoker.
- Remove the chicken drumsticks from the Traeger and rest for 10 minutes.
- Safely remove the chicken drumsticks from the Traeger Pellet Grill. Rest for 10 minutes wrapped in aluminum foil to achieve extra juicy meat! Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Notes
Want Crispy Skin?
If you want the skin to go crispy, turn the temperature on the Traeger up to 400°F for the last 10 minutes. You can also add honey or sugar to your dry rub. This will help to caramelize the chicken skin and create crispy skin.Smoke On!
Charlie
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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