Smoked Chicken Quarters
Juicy chicken quarters make a flavorful meal with generous portions that are perfect to share with guests.
Smoking chicken quarters on a pellet grill for 1.5 to 2 hours at 275°F is a hands off way to make a delicious dinner!
If you love this recipe you may also enjoy our Electric Smoker Hamburgers and Pig Wings recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Smoked Chicken Leg Quarter Recipe
Smoked chicken is savory and juicy with a subtle smoky finish that tastes far more impressive than the time and effort it takes to make.
Season chicken quarters with a simple blend of paprika, garlic, salt, and pepper, using about 1½ teaspoons per piece. We enjoy seasoned salt or a bbq rub that includes paprika.
Smoke for 1½ to 2 hours to create an easy chicken leg quarter recipe with juicy meat and great flavor.
What I Love:
- We’ve made two batches on the smoker to feed a big group of 20 friends for a relaxed and satisfying dinner.
- Pair with a couple easy sides like Coleslaw and Crockpot Mac and Cheese and you’ve got a dinner party that is easy to host and enjoy!
- Leftovers freeze well, so we’ve always got a few healthy, protein packed meals on hand.
- Serve with bbq sauce as an option for those who want it, but know that true meat connoisseurs will love the nature flavor in the smoked chicken.
Notes For Feeding A Crowd
Our regular sized electric smoker that is very similar to a Traeger can easily smoke 10 pieces of chicken at once.
Smoke at 275°F for about 1 1/2 hours until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
Remove from the grill and keep the first batch warm in a foil lined electric roaster set to keep warm while the second batch cooks.
The quarters can be cut apart into the thigh and leg to create smaller servings for kids or lighter eaters. Our family often serves with chicken nuggets to give the kids a more familiar option that is easier to eat.
For more easy meal ideas see our notes on Catering Recipes for 50 people.
Using a Vertical Cabinet Smoker
My brother-in-law inspired this recipe and easily cooks 35 chicken quarters or a full box in his vertical cabinet smoker.
He prefers to turn the temperature down to 225°F for about 2.5 hours and then turn the smoker up to 350°F to reach a finished internal temperature of 180°F to 190°F. Cooking to a higher internal temperature allows the fat to render or become more juicy and flavor the entire cut of meat.
He notes that when the smoker temperature increases you have to pay more attention to prevent the meat from burning.
What is a Chicken Quarter?
A chicken quarter is one thigh and one leg, still together in one piece which is about one quarter of the chicken.
The size of chicken quarters varies based on the size of the bird at harvest.
My brother-in-law buys a box of quarters when on sale from a local grocery store and gets big, plump pieces of meat. We have purchased a box from GFS and gotten smaller pieces.
The size of the chicken quarter will have a big impact on smoking time.
How To Make Smoked Chicken Leg Quarters
Preheat the smoker to 275°F. Clean grill grates with a wire brush.
Season each piece of chicken with your favorite bbq seasoning. Through experimenting on our Electric Smoker Whole Chicken we have found that our family prefers a rub with paprika for the best flavor.
Rub 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of seasoning into all sides of each raw chicken quarter.
Arrange pieces of meat in a single layer with space for air to circulate around all sides on the smoker grate. Always cook meat with the fat side up.
Smoke chicken quarters on a pellet grill for 1.5 to 2 hours at 275°F until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F.
Remove from the heat and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute more evenly. Enjoy!
Always smoke with the layer of fat on top. This will maximize the natural flavor in the chicken.
Rather you stop cooking at the safe temperature of 165°F or cook longer to allow the fat to render and liquify even more at a finished internal temperature of 180°F you will have a delicious piece of meat to enjoy!
More Delicious Summer BBQ Recipes
- Cashew Chicken Pasta Salad
- Nutter Butter Banana Pudding recipe
- Creamy Lemonade Pie
- Baked Tomato Casserole
- No Bake Cheesecake for a Crowd
- Strawberry Yogurt Salad Dressing
Smoked Chicken Quarters
Ingredients
- 10 chicken leg quarters
- 5 tablespoons BBQ rub or seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 275℉.
- Coat each chicken quarter with about 1 1/2 teaspoons of seasoning. Rub in well on each side.10 chicken leg quarters, 5 tablespoons BBQ rub or seasoning
- Arrange chicken leg quarters with the fat side up on the smoker grate. Allow space for air to circulate around each side of each piece of meat.
- Smoke for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh (without touching a bone) until the temperature reads 165℉.
- Remove from the heat, let rest for 10 minutes and enjoy!
Notes
- Seasoned salt or a basic seasoning with paprika, garlic, salt and pepper works well too.
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