Crispy Smoked Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

Appetizers

Barbeque and Smoked

Chicken

April 12, 2023

“I love eating chicken with my bare hands. It makes me want to snarl at people, even more than usual.”

— Jeri Smith

A chicken doesn’t have the magnificence of the bald eagle, the historical significance of the turkey, the mystery of the raven, or royalty of the falcon, but we sure have a lot of goofy songs, dances, poems, puns, and sayings about chickens. Chicken is a bird no one takes seriously ‘till it’s time to cook ‘em, and if you’re serious about your chicken dinner, follow this recipe for drumsticks that have juicy sweet, and tender meat inside and a crispy and caramelized skin on the outside.

It’s a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.

Crispy Smoked Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1 30

Total Time 1 40

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Ingredients

For the Drumsticks

3 lbs. chicken legs
2 TBSP baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt

For the Buffalo Sauce

1 cup Frank’s Red Hot
½ cup butter
½ tsp garlic powder
Habanero hot sauce to taste

Instructions

For the Drumsticks

Dry your chicken legs thoroughly with a paper towel.
Add the baking powder and salt to a zip-top freezer bag with the legs, close the bag, and toss to coat evenly.
Preheat your smoker to 250°F. We smoked with pecan wood, but your favorite wood can be used. Place the legs directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and smoke for 30 minutes.
Increase the heat in your smoker to 425°F. Brush the legs with the buffalo sauce.
Continue cooking the legs until they reach 175°F.
Remove the legs from the smoker and serve with blue cheese dressing.