How to Smoke Chicken Leg Quarters on a Charcoal Grill

Cook chicken leg quarters on a charcoal grill to give them a smoky flavor.

Chicken leg quarters consist of both light and dark meat. The chicken quarters need to be smoked on a charcoal grill over direct and indirect heat to cook the chicken properly. A charcoal grill infuses the chicken with a charcoal taste, and the addition of wood chips adds a smoky flavor. Although smoking the chicken leg quarters takes time, it is worth the wait to enjoy the juicy and flavorful poultry.

Things You'll Need

• Basting brush
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Digital grill thermometer
• Soaked wood chips

Instructions

1. Stack the charcoals on one side of the grill. Light the charcoals and let them burn down until a white ash forms on the top layer.

2. Brush the chicken leg quarters with olive oil. Season them with salt and pepper if you desire.

3. Allow the grill to reach a temperature of 325 to 350 degrees. Use a digital grill thermometer to take a reading of the grill if the charcoal grill does not have one.

4. Sprinkle soaked wood chips over the charcoals. The wood chips will give the chicken legs a smoky flavor.

5. Place the chicken leg quarters over the direct heat. Leave the lid open and cook each side of the quarters for 3 minutes.

6. Move the chicken to the indirect heat on the grill. Close the lid and let the chicken leg quarters cook for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken thigh reads 175 degrees Fahrenheit and the breast reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Remove the chicken from the grill. Serve the chicken quarters while they are hot.

Tips & Warnings

• Soak the chicken quarters in a liquid marinade overnight if you wish to infuse them with more flavors.

• Avoid overcooking the chicken quarters.

References

• Reluctant Gourmet: Grilling Technique
• United States Department of Agriculture: Focus on: Chicken
• Smoker Cooking: Smoked Poultry Recipes