Chicken quarters are the perfect size for feeding a small crowd. And smoking them is a great way to give them tons of flavor. In this post, we’ll go over how to make smoked chicken quarters that are juicy and delicious. We’ll also give you some tips on how to keep your chicken moist while smoking it.
You can also check our articles on How to Make Masterbuilt Smoked Turkey.
What are Chicken Quarters?
Chicken quarters are the hindquarters of a chicken. They include the thigh, drumstick, and a portion of the back. Chicken quarters are a great option for smoking because they have a good amount of fat, which helps keep them moist during the smoking process.
Plus, they’re a relatively inexpensive cut of chicken. When buying chicken quarters for smoking, look for ones that have skin that is attached. The skin will help protect the meat from drying out while it smokes. We also recommend using organic, free-range chicken for the best flavor.
Should you Brine Chicken Before Smoking?
Brining chicken before smoking is a great way to ensure that your chicken will be moist and juicy. A brine is simply a saltwater solution that you soak your chicken in for several hours before cooking.
This allows the salt to permeate the chicken flesh and help retain moisture during cooking. If you’re short on time, you can skip the brining step. But if you have the time, we highly recommend it!
How to Brine Chicken Quarters?
To brine chicken quarters, you’ll need to make a saltwater solution. For every quart (liter) of water, you’ll need ¼ cup (60 ml) of salt. You can also add other seasonings to the brine, such as herbs, peppercorns, or garlic cloves.
Place the chicken quarters in a large container or zip-top bag and add the brine. Make sure that the chicken is completely submerged in the brine. Then, place the container in the fridge and let the chicken soak for 3-4 hours.
When it’s finished soaking, remove the chicken from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels.
Smoked Chicken Quarters Rubs to Try
One of the best ways to cook chicken is to rub it with spices before cooking. This gives the chicken flavor and makes it more tender. There are many different chicken rubs available, but these are some of the best ones.
Moroccan-Style Chicken Rub
This rub is perfect for those who want to add some exotic flavor to their chicken. It is made with cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and paprika. The combination of these spices will give your chicken a delicious flavor.
Southern-Style Chicken Rub
This rub is perfect for those who want to add some down-home flavor to their chicken. This spice blend is made with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. This rub will give your chicken a slightly spicy flavor.
Rosemary Chicken Rub
This rub is perfect for those who want to add some depth of flavor to their chicken. It is made with rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder. This rub can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for future use.
Texas-Style Chicken Rub
This chicken rub is perfect for those who like their chicken with a bit of a kick. It is made with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. This rub can be used on any part of the chicken, but it works particularly well on chicken quarters.
Smoked Chicken Quarters Marinade
If you want to add even more flavor to your chicken, you can marinate it before cooking. This is a great way to infuse the meat with flavor and make it more tender.
Tangy BBQ
This marinade is perfect for those who like a little sweetness with their savory. It’s easy to make, too! Just mix together 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Let your chicken soak in the mixture for at least 4 hours before smoking.
Zesty lemon-Herb
This marinade is bursting with flavor and is super simple to make. Just combine the juice of 2 lemons, 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Let your chicken marinate for at least 2 hours before smoking.
Honey Mustard
This is a classic flavor combo that never gets old. To make this marinade, just whisk together 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Before cooking your chicken, let it soak in the mixture for a minimum of 4 hours.
Spicy Sriracha
Love sriracha? Then you’ll love this marinade! Simply mix together 1/4 cup of sriracha sauce, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Let your chicken marinate for at least 2 hours before cooking.
How to Smoke Chicken Quarters
Now that your chicken is prepped and ready to go, it’s time to start smoking. Smoking chicken quarters is easy and only requires a few simple steps.
Preheat your Smoker
Preheating your smoker is one of the most important steps in smoking chicken quarters. You’ll want to preheat your smoker to between 225-250 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that your chicken quarters cook evenly and don’t dry out.
Add Wood Chips
Once your smoker is preheated, it’s time to add wood chips. This will give your chicken quarters a delicious smoky flavor. You can use any type of wood chips that you like, but hickory is a great option.
Put the Prepared Chicken Quarters in the Smoker
Next, it’s time to put the chicken quarters in the smoker. You’ll want to place them on the racks in a single layer so that they have plenty of space to cook evenly.
Smoke the Chicken Quarters
Once the chicken quarters are in the smoker, it’s time to let them cook. Smoke the chicken quarters until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Every smoker is different, so it’s important to keep an eye on the temperature. Every hour or so, you’ll want to spritz the chicken quarters with apple cider vinegar to keep them moist.
Sear the Chicken
Once the chicken quarters have reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time to sear them. This step is optional, but it will give your chicken a nice crispy skin. To sear the chicken, simply place it on a hot grill for a few minutes on each side.
Rest and Serve
Once the chicken quarters are done cooking, let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and make them even more flavorful. Serve with your favorite sides, and enjoy!
Dips for your Smoked Chicken Quarters
Once your chicken quarters are done smoking, it’s time to enjoy them! Here are some delicious dips that go great with smoked chicken:
1. Honey mustard sauce – This sauce is sweet, tangy, and full of flavor. It pairs perfectly with the smoky taste of the chicken.
2. BBQ sauce – A classic BBQ sauce is always a good choice for smoked chicken. It adds a little bit of sweetness and a lot of flavor.
3. Buffalo sauce – If you like your chicken spicy, then this is the dip for you. The hot sauce will add a kick to your chicken that you won’t be able to resist.
4. Ranch dressing – Ranch dressing is creamy and cooling, making it the perfect dip for smoked chicken that has been spiced up with a little bit of heat.
5. Blue cheese dressing – Blue cheese dressing is rich and full of flavor. It goes well with the smokiness of the chicken and can also help to cut through some of the spicinesses if you’ve added a little bit too much heat to your quarters.
6. French onion dip – French onion dip is another classic that goes well with just about anything, including smoked chicken quarters. The sweetness of the onions pairs perfectly with the smoky flavor of the chicken.
What wood is Best for Smoked Chicken Quarters?
One of the most important things to consider when smoking chicken quarters is the type of wood you use. Different woods will impart different flavors to your chicken, so it’s important to choose wisely. Here are some of the best woods to use for smoking chicken quarters:
Hickory
Hickory is a strong and pungent wood that imparts a bacon-like flavor to the meat. It’s one of the most popular woods for smoking because it’s very versatile and can be used with a variety of different meats.
Maple
Maple wood is a milder wood that imparts a sweet flavor to the meat. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something that’s not too overpowering.
Mesquite
Mesquite is another strong and pungent wood that’s popular for smoking meats like chicken quarters. It imparts a slightly sweet and smoky flavor that pairs well with poultry.
Oak
Oak is a hearty wood that gives the meat a bold flavor. It’s perfect if you’re looking for something substantial that will stand up to the bold flavors of smoked meats.
Storage of Smoked Chicken Quarters
There are many different ways to store smoked chicken quarters. The best way to store them depends on how long you plan on keeping them and how you want to use them. We will explore the different storage options for smoked chicken quarters so that you can choose the best one for your needs.
Refrigeration
If you plan on eating the smoked chicken quarters within a few days, then refrigeration is the best option. When stored in the fridge, smoked chicken quarters will stay fresh for up to four days.
Just be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container so that they don’t dry out.
Freezing
If you want to keep the smoked chicken quarters for longer than a few days, then freezing is the way to go. When properly stored in the freezer, smoked chicken quarters will stay fresh for up to six months.
To freeze, wrap each quarter individually in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight freezer-safe container. Then, label and date the container so that you know when they were frozen.
Storing Smoked Chicken Quarters for Later Use
If you’re smoking chicken quarters for a future meal, then it’s best to vacuum seal them before storing. Vacuum sealing will prevent freezer burn and ensure that the chicken stays fresh for up to a year.
To vacuum seal, simply place the smoked chicken quarters in a vacuum seal bag and then use a vacuum sealer to remove all of the air from the bag. Then, store the sealed bag in the freezer until you’re ready to use it.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your smoked chicken quarters:
1. Brine the chicken before smoking it. This will help to keep it moist and flavorful.
2. Season your chicken well before smoking. A good rule of thumb is to use about 1 teaspoon of seasoning per pound of chicken.
3. When smoking chicken quarters, it’s best to use indirect heat. This means that you’ll need to set up your smoker accordingly.
4. Smoke the chicken quarters at a lower temperature for a longer period of time to prevent them from drying out.
5. Wrap the smoked chicken quarters in foil or place them in an airtight container after smoking to help retain their flavor and moisture.
How to Reheat Smoked Chicken Quarters
There are many different ways to reheat smoked chicken quarters. The best way to reheat them depends on how you plan on serving them. Here are some different options for reheating smoked chicken quarters:
Method 1: Oven
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the smoked chicken quarters on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
Method 2: Microwave
Place the smoked chicken quarters on a microwave-safe plate and reheat for two minutes. If necessary, reheat in 30-second increments until fully heated through.
Method 3: Stovetop
Another method is to place the smoked chicken quarters in a skillet over low heat and cook until heated through.
Conclusion
Smoked chicken quarters are a delicious and easy way to enjoy smoked chicken. With so many different ways to prepare, they’re perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal or something to impress your guests, smoked chicken quarters are sure to hit the spot.
We hope that you now know how to make smoked chicken quarters and how to store them properly so that they stay fresh and delicious. And remember, the best way to ensure that your smoked chicken quarters are perfect is to experiment and find what works best for you. So get out there and give it a try!