How to Smoke Chicken Quarters on the Pellet Grill (Tips and Temps)

Smoked Chicken Quarters are tender, juicy, and smoky, perfectly cooked every single time on the Pellet Grill. This guide will show you the exact steps to make these smoked chicken quarters along with the best temperature and smoker setup.

Smoked Chicken Quarters can be cooked right alongside other meats such as smoked bologna. It’s an optimal choice for a cookout. This recipe can be made on a Traeger, Pit Boss, or any pellet grill of your choice.

Why you’ll love these Smoked Chicken Quarters:

• Beginner Friendly!
• Naturally gluten-free.
• Juicy, tender chicken.
• Perfect for meal prep!
• Easy pantry ingredients.

Ingredients for Smoked Chicken Quarters:

• Chicken Leg Quarters
• Head Country Seasoning or Your Choice BBQ Seasoning
• Barbecue Sauce

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Pat chicken dry, then add the seasoning to the chicken and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
2. Add the wood pellets, and warm up the prepared smoker to 240 degrees F.
3. Place the chicken on the smoker with some space in between.
4. Smoke the chicken for around 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours, checking the temperature to be sure they get up to 165 degrees F internally.
5. Remove from the smoker.
6. Let rest for 5-10 minutes.
7. Serve with barbecue sauce.

What are Chicken Quarters?

This cut of chicken is a quarter of the chicken, hence the name of course. It’s the drumstick and the thigh, which is the perfect serving size.

Best Pellet Grill Temperature for Smoked Chicken Quarters:

• 225-250 degrees F will yield the best slow cooked smoky flavor.
• 275-350 degrees F will yield a more crispy skin, but can dry out so watch carefully.

We prefer to cook ours in the middle range of 240 degrees F, remember the internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165 degrees F. This can be checked with a meat probe or meat thermometer.

How to Smoke Chicken Quarters?

Chicken quarters go on sale all the time, so picking some up at the store and smoking them on the pellet grill is a great way to use them for meal prep.

We decided to season ours with Head Country Seasoning, it has a great mix of flavors that really compliment it well. It’s up to you though what seasoning you prefer.

Once we had the chicken seasoned, it was time to put them on the smoker.

What wood chips should you use for Chicken Quarters?

The sky is the limit, for sure when it comes to picking the best wood chips for smoked meats. A few of the wood chips are hickory, oak, maple, pecan, apple, and mesquite. There are quite a few more as well.

For smoked chicken quarters, hickory will give a true smoky flavor, but if you prefer a lighter smoked flavor, choose a wood pellet blend.

Tips for How to Smoke Chicken Quarters:

• Chicken should be at least 165 degrees F internal temperature.
• Pat the skin of the chicken dry before adding the seasoning so it will stick well.
• Choose the right pellets, hickory for a deep wood smoke flavor or a blend for a lighter flavor.
• Let the chicken rest before serving so the juices redistribute.

These chicken quarters pair perfectly with this Homemade BBQ Sauce.

How to store and reheat chicken quarters:

Once fully cooled, store the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, heat in the air fryer at 325 degrees F for 10 minutes.

Alternatively, use a microwave-safe plate and heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Smoked Chicken Quarters on the Pellet Grill is a great, beginner pellet grill recipe that is versatile and easy to use for meal prep or serve for your next cookout!

More Pellet Grill Recipes:

• Smoked Chicken Drumsticks (Pellet Grill)

• Pellet Grill Smoked Little Smokies

• Pellet Grill Balsamic Steaks

• Smoked Mushrooms (Pellet Grill Recipe)