Go Back Email Link
+ servings
electric smoker smoked chicken legs on a cutting board

Electric Smoker Chicken Legs

First we dry brine and season our Smoked Chicken Legs overnight to get the most flavor and crispiest skin possible despite the limited temperature range of an electric smoker.
We then review step by step how to set your Masterbuilt, or ANY electric smoker, to perfectly smoke the chicken drumsticks to perfection.
4 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Dry Brine Time 12 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Australian, barbecue, BBQ, Smoked
Servings 4 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Masterbuilt Electric Smoker or any brand electric smoker
  • Wood chips Hickory, Oak, or Fruitwood
  • Paper Towels
  • Large Baking Sheet with Wire Rack
  • Internal Meat Thermometers
  • Basting brush
  • BBQ Tongs

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Chicken Legs
  • Your Favorite Barbecue Sauce such as Blues Hog Original or Tennessee Red.

Dry Brine

  • 6 tablespoon Your Favorite BBQ rub or our "In a Pinch BBQ Rub" below
  • ¼ teaspoon Baking Powder to crisp the skin

In a Pinch BBQ Rub

  • 2 tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar
  • 2 tablespoon Paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt add more as desired
  • ½ tablespoon Chili Powder
  • ½ tablespoon Course Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper optional

Instructions
 

  • Rinse and pat dry the chicken legs well with paper towels.
    8 Chicken Legs
    drying chicken legs with a paper towel

Dry Brine the Chicken Legs Overnight

  • Place the chicken legs on a wire rack placed on top of a baking sheet.
  • Mix together the In a Pich BBQ rub with the baking powder, or use your favorite BBQ rub that contains salt mixed with the baking powder, and sprinkle generously over all sides of each chicken legs. DO NOT use cooking oil to adhere or skin will not get crispy.
    6 tablespoon Your Favorite BBQ rub or our "In a Pinch BBQ Rub" below, ¼ teaspoon Baking Powder, 2 tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar, 2 tablespoon Paprika, 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt, ½ tablespoon Course Ground Black Pepper, ½ tablespoon Chili Powder, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
    seasonings for smoked whole chicken along qith cornstarch to dry the skin
  • Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4-6 hours.
    seasoned chicken legs dry brining in a refrigerator before smoking
  • Take the chicken drumsticks out of the refrigerator the next day as you are getting the electric smoker started.

Start the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker

  • Open up the electric smoker door and make sure the racks are all cleaned off and in their proper place. Spray some canola oil on the racks to keep the chicken from sticking.
  • Do not fill the water pan. You can place an empty aluminum foil pan on the bottom shelf to make clean up easier later. Close the door.
  • Plug in and turn on the electric smoker and set the temperature to 275°F, or as high as it will go, up to 325°F. (275°F is the limit on most Masterbuilt electric smokers.)
    a masterbuilt electric smoker set to 275 degrees
  • Once the electric smoker is up to temperature, load your wood chips in the chip loading tray. There is no need to soak the wood chips in water first.
    wood chips being loaded into a masterbuilt electric smoker

Smoke the Chicken Legs in the Electric Smoker

  • Once smoke is being produced, place your seasoned chicken legs on the grates at least about 1-2 inches apart from each other for good air circulation.
    chicken legs placed in an electric smoker
  • Place an internal temperature probe if you have one into the center of one of the largest legs but not touching the bone.
  • Close the door.
  • You can add another load of wood chips when the smoke has subsided but we wouldn't recommend any more than the two loads total. Keep the vents completely OPEN for maximum airflow to keep the skin crispy.
    smoke coming out the top vent of a masterbuilt electric smoker

Sauce the Smoked Chicken Drumsticks

  • Warm up some of your favorite barbecue sauce in a microwave safe bowl and set aside.
    Your Favorite Barbecue Sauce such as Blues Hog Original or Tennessee Red.
    blues hog barbecue sauce in front of a masterbuilt electric smoker
  • When the internal temperature of the chicken legs has reached 165°F and the skin is crispy, baste some of the barbecue sauce all sides of each one. Then close the door.
    basting sauce on smoked chicken legs in a masterbuilt electric smoker

Remove and Serve

  • Once the smoked chicken legs reach an internal temperature of 175°F as measured on an instant read thermometer, remove them from the electric smoker and transfer to a cutting board or plate. Do not cover with foil or anything else.
    smoked chicken legs in an electric smoker
  • Plate and serve immediately with some extra BBQ sauce on the side!
    electric smoker smoked chicken legs on a cutting board

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcal
Keyword barbecue chicken, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Smoked Chicken, crispy skin smoked chicken legs, Dry Brine, electric smoker, Electric Smoker Chicken, Electric smoker chicken drums, Electric Smoker Chicken Drumsticks, Electric Smoker Chicken Legs, Masterbuilt Chicken, Masterbuilt Chicken Drums, Masterbuilt Chicken Drumsticks, Masterbuilt Chicken Legs, Masterbuilt Smoked Chicken, Smoked Chicken, smoked chicken drums, smoked chicken drumsticks, smoked chicken legs, smoked chicken legs in electric smoker
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!