Smoked Honey Chipotle Glazed Chicken Leg Quarters: Your Ultimate Guide to Irresistible Flavor

Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable culinary experience with this smoked honey chipotle glazed chicken leg quarter recipe. This dish is not just delicious; it’s a symphony of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors that will elevate your BBQ game to new heights. Perfect for backyard gatherings, family dinners, or simply satisfying your craving for exceptional smoked meat, this recipe combines simplicity with incredible results.

At the heart of this recipe are chicken leg quarters, which consist of the drumstick, thigh, and a portion of the backbone. These cuts are renowned for their succulence and tenderness, largely due to their higher fat content compared to leaner chicken pieces. This inherent richness makes them ideal for the low-and-slow cooking method of smoking, ensuring a moist and flavorful result that practically falls off the bone.

The star of our glaze is the chipotle chili in adobo sauce. For those unfamiliar, a chipotle chili is a smoked, dried, and rehydrated jalapeño, which imparts a deep, earthy smokiness. When packed in adobo sauce – a vibrant puree of tomato, onion, vinegar, garlic, paprika, sugar, and oil – it transforms into a complex ingredient offering a unique blend of smokiness, piquant heat, and a rich, savory depth. This exquisite combination forms the perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of honey, creating a glaze that is both bold and beautifully balanced. With these three main components – succulent chicken leg quarters, dynamic chipotle in adobo, and luscious honey – you are poised to create an incredible and truly unforgettable smoked chicken dish that will impress everyone.

Why You Should Try This Honey Chipotle Glazed Chicken Recipe

There are countless reasons to add this smoked honey chipotle chicken to your regular rotation, especially if you love rich flavors and easy cooking. Here are the top benefits:

• Unbeatable Flavor Profile: The robust essence of the chicken leg quarter serves as the perfect flavor foundation. This is then magnificently improved and enhanced by the sweet notes of honey and the smoky, spicy kick of chipotle. The synergy between these ingredients creates a complex, mouth-watering taste that is truly addictive. It’s a perfect blend of sweet, heat, and savory, all infused with the unmistakable aroma of smoke.
• Incredibly Economical: Chicken leg quarters offer exceptional value. You can typically find them for around $1.85 per pound. With each leg quarter averaging about 1.25 pounds, you’re looking at an approximate cost of just $2.31 per generous serving. This makes it an ideal choice for feeding a crowd without breaking the bank, providing gourmet flavor at a budget-friendly price.
• Effortlessly Easy to Prep: Forget complicated marinades or extensive chopping. This recipe simplifies the preparation process. You’ll simply mix seven readily available ingredients to create our signature honey chipotle glaze, then brush it generously over the chicken. The minimal prep time means you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the anticipation of a delicious meal.
• Simple Smoking Process: Once prepped, this chicken is incredibly easy to smoke. Just place it on your grill, and let your offset smoker do the work. There’s no constant moving or flipping required, making it a truly hands-off experience. In approximately two hours, your tender, flavorful chicken will be ready to eat. It’s truly “Easy Peezy!” for even novice smokers.
• Impressive Results, Minimal Effort: Despite its ease, this dish delivers restaurant-quality results. The deep color and irresistible aroma will make it a showstopper at any meal, proving that fantastic food doesn’t have to be complicated.
• Versatile Pairing: This chicken pairs beautifully with a wide array of side dishes, from classic coleslaw and cornbread to roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad. Its versatile flavor profile makes it easy to integrate into any meal plan.

Understanding Your Ingredients for Smoked Honey Chipotle Glazed Chicken

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the exquisite flavor of this dish. Understanding them helps in appreciating the final product and even in experimenting with variations.

The Star: Chicken Leg Quarter

• One chicken leg quarter: As mentioned, this cut is a fantastic choice for smoking. Its higher fat content renders slowly during smoking, basting the meat from within and preventing it from drying out. This results in incredibly juicy and tender meat, absorbing the smoky flavors and glaze beautifully.

The Flavor Powerhouse: Honey Chipotle Glaze

• 1 large Chipotle chili in adobo sauce, chopped very fine: This ingredient is the backbone of the glaze’s unique smoky heat. Chopping it finely ensures its flavor is evenly distributed throughout the sauce. The adobo sauce itself adds tangy, savory notes.
• ¼ cup honey: Provides the essential sweetness for balance, helps in caramelization during smoking, and gives the chicken a beautiful glossy finish. Use a good quality honey for the best flavor.
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard: Adds a zesty, tangy kick that cuts through the richness of the chicken and complements the sweetness of the honey. It also acts as an emulsifier, helping to bind the glaze ingredients.
• 2 tablespoons Hoisin sauce (or soy sauce if Hoisin is not available): Hoisin sauce brings a deep, umami-rich, slightly sweet, and tangy dimension, often associated with Asian BBQ. If unavailable, soy sauce offers a good salty, umami substitute, though with a different sweetness profile.
• 2 tablespoons lime juice: Provides a bright, acidic counterpoint that balances the sweetness and heat, lifting the overall flavor profile and preventing the glaze from being too heavy. Freshly squeezed is always best.
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce: Adds a complex, savory depth with notes of anchovy, tamarind, and vinegar, enhancing the umami and creating a richer, more rounded flavor in the glaze.
• 2 garlic cloves minced: Essential for aromatic depth, garlic infuses the glaze with a pungent, savory base that enhances all the other flavors.

Directions for Making Offset Smoker Honey Chipotle Glazed Chicken

Follow these simple steps to create a truly spectacular smoked chicken dish:

1. Bring Your Offset Smoker to Temperature: The foundation of perfectly smoked chicken is maintaining a consistent temperature. You will want to achieve and maintain a steady temperature of approximately 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius) throughout the entire smoking process. This low-and-slow approach is key to rendering fat, tenderizing the meat, and allowing the smoke to deeply penetrate the chicken without drying it out. Consider using a good quality wood like apple, cherry, or hickory for a complementary smoky flavor.

2. Prepare the Chicken Leg Quarter: For even cooking, it’s crucial to bring your chicken to room temperature before placing it on the smoker. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour. Pat the chicken thoroughly dry with paper towels; a dry surface promotes crispy skin and allows the glaze to adhere better. Inspect the chicken leg quarter for any excessive skin or fat. You’ll often find a good bit of extra skin that can be trimmed away for a cleaner, less greasy result, though leaving some on can also help keep the meat moist.

3. Prepare the Glaze: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all the honey chipotle glaze ingredients: the finely chopped chipotle chili in adobo sauce, honey, Dijon mustard, Hoisin sauce, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Whisk these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and the mixture is smooth. For an even smoother glaze, especially if you prefer no chili bits, you can optionally place all the ingredients in a blender and process until completely smooth.

4. Brush the Chicken: Using a kitchen basting brush, liberally apply the prepared glaze over the front side (skin side up) of the chicken leg quarter. Don’t be shy; ensure the entire surface is generously covered. Repeat this process a few times to build up a good initial layer of flavor and create a foundation for the delicious crust that will form during smoking.

5. Place the Chicken onto the Offset Smoker: Carefully transfer the glazed chicken onto an 8” x 10” wire oven rack. This rack is crucial as it prevents the chicken from sagging into the grill grates and makes it much easier to handle the chicken on and off the smoker. Place the wire rack with the chicken directly onto your preheated offset smoker grill grate. Smoke the chicken until its internal temperature, measured with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone), reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). This typically takes approximately 2 hours. Keep in mind that chicken leg quarters are usually larger and thicker than regular thighs or breasts, so their smoking time will naturally be longer.

6. Remove the Chicken from the Offset Smoker and Rest: Once the chicken reaches the target internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), carefully remove it from the smoker. It’s vital to let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. Resting allows the juices within the meat to redistribute, ensuring a more tender and moist result. After resting, you can carve the chicken by separating the drumstick from the thigh. Each leg quarter typically serves one person generously.

Elevate Your Dish: Variations and Substitutions for Offset Smoker Honey Chipotle Glazed Chicken

While this recipe is fantastic as written, feel free to get creative and tailor it to your preferences or what you have on hand.

Try another piece of chicken: Although chicken leg quarters are highly recommended for their juiciness and flavor in this recipe, other cuts like chicken thighs or breasts will also work wonderfully. Just remember to adjust your smoking time accordingly for each different type of chicken piece. Thighs will cook slightly faster, while breasts, being leaner, might require a bit more attention to avoid drying out; consider a quick brine for breasts if you use them. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) for food safety.

Experiment with the honey and chipotle balance: This recipe aims for a fairly neutral, harmonious balance between the sweetness of the honey and the smoky heat of the chipotle chili. However, you are the chef! You can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more honey, or dial up the heat and smokiness by incorporating an extra chipotle chili or a pinch of smoked paprika to the glaze. Taste and adjust until it’s perfect for your palate.

Explore other glaze options: A glaze is a glossy, sticky coating that caramelizes onto the chicken during smoking, imparting incredible, robust, and remarkable flavor and a beautiful finish. The possibilities are endless!

• Thai Peanut Glaze: Offers a rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavor with hints of ginger, garlic, and peanut.
• Teriyaki or Hoisin Sauce Glaze: Classic Asian-inspired flavors with a balance of sweet, salty, and umami.
• Maple Syrup and Balsamic Vinegar Glaze: Provides a sophisticated sweet-tart flavor with earthy undertones.
• Spicy Mango Habanero Glaze: For those who love tropical fruit and serious heat.
• Garlic Herb Butter Glaze: A simpler, yet incredibly flavorful option focusing on aromatic herbs and rich butter.

Expert Tips for Perfect Smoked Honey Chipotle Chicken

Achieving truly exceptional smoked chicken often comes down to a few key techniques and preparations. Here are some pro tips to ensure your honey chipotle glazed chicken is nothing short of perfect:

Place the glaze in the refrigerator: After mixing your honey chipotle glaze, consider placing it in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes before applying it to the chicken. This isn’t just to allow the flavors to meld together more deeply, which it certainly does. More importantly, chilling the glaze, especially one heavy with honey, will cause it to thicken slightly. A thicker glaze adheres better to the chicken, creating a more even and substantial coating that will caramelize beautifully during the smoking process, resulting in a richer flavor and a more visually appealing finish.

Brush the chicken often with the glaze: As your chicken is slowly smoking and developing those wonderful, robust flavors, don’t let the glaze be a one-time affair. Be sure to reapply the glaze on the chicken approximately every 30 minutes throughout the smoking process, especially during the last hour. Each time you brush, you are building up new layers of bold honey chipotle and smoky flavors. This repeated application helps create a magnificent, sticky, and deeply flavorful crust as the sugars caramelize, intensifying the overall taste and texture. It’s the secret to achieving that truly “incredible” glaze!

Using an 8” x 10” wire oven rack and a drip pan: This simple setup can make a significant difference in your smoking experience and the quality of your chicken.

• Wire Oven Rack: Placing your chicken leg quarter on a wire oven rack ensures that the chicken is elevated above the grill grates. This elevation allows for superior airflow around all sides of the chicken, promoting even cooking and helping to develop a consistent smoky flavor and a crisper skin. It also prevents the chicken from potentially sagging into and sticking to the grill grates, which can happen with larger, softer cuts. Moreover, it makes moving the chicken around on and off the smoker much easier and safer.
• Aluminum Drip Pan: Position an aluminum drip pan on the ash tray or directly under the chicken on a lower rack to catch any drippings. This serves a dual purpose: it helps to keep your smoker cleaner by collecting fat and juices, significantly simplifying cleanup. Just toss it away when you’re done! Additionally, these flavorful drippings can be saved and used to create a rich, savory sauce or gravy to accompany your finished chicken, adding another layer of deliciousness to your meal.

Serving Suggestions

This Smoked Honey Chipotle Glazed Chicken is versatile and pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a classic BBQ experience, serve it alongside creamy coleslaw, sweet cornbread, and a vibrant potato salad. If you prefer something lighter, roasted root vegetables, grilled corn on the cob, or a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette would be perfect. For a more adventurous meal, try it with cilantro lime rice or black beans.

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Smoked Honey Glazed Chipotle Chicken

Prep:

15 minutes
mins

Cook:

2 hours
hrs

Equipment

• 1 Offset smoker
• 1 8”x 10” Wire Oven Rack
• 1 Aluminum Drip Pan
• 1 Basting Brush

Ingredients

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  Chicken Leg Quarter

Honey Chipotle Glaze

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  large Chipotle chili with in adobo sauce,
  chopped very fine

• 
  ▢
  
  
  ¼
  cup
  honey

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2
  tablespoons
  Dijon mustard

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2
  tablespoons
  Hoisin sauce,
  or soy sauce if Hoisin is not available

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2
  tablespoons
  lime juice

• 
  ▢
  
  
  1
  tablespoon
  Worcestershire sauce

• 
  ▢
  
  
  2
  garlic cloves minced

Cook Mode

Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Bring your offset smoker to temperature – You will want to maintain a temperature of roughly 250 degrees throughout the entire smoking process.
• Prepare the chicken leg quarter – Bring the chicken to room temperature. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, and remove any excess skin. You will find that there is often quite a bit of extra skin to remove from a chicken leg quarter.
• Prepare the glaze – In a medium size bowl, thoroughly mix the honey chipotle glaze ingredients with a whisk. Optionally, you can place all the ingredients in a blender.
• Brush the chicken – With a kitchen brush, liberally brush the glaze over the front side of the chicken. Do this a few times to ensure that the entire chicken is covered with the glaze.
• Place the chicken onto the offset smoker – Place chicken on the 8” x 10” wire oven rack and place it into your offset smoker grill grate. Smoke until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees, about 2 hours. As a chicken leg quarter is usually larger and thicker than a regular thigh or breast, the smoking time will be longer.
• Remove the chicken from the offset smoker – Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving. Cut the chicken between the drumstick and the thigh. This should serve one person.

Nutrition

Serving:
1.25
lb.


Calories:
683
kcal


Carbohydrates:
92
g


Protein:
26
g


Fat:
26
g


Saturated Fat:
7
g


Polyunsaturated Fat:
6
g


Monounsaturated Fat:
11
g


Trans Fat:
0.1
g


Cholesterol:
143
mg


Sodium:
1.185
mg


Potassium:
594
mg


Fiber:
2
g


Sugar:
81
g


Vitamin A:
164
IU


Vitamin C:
12
mg


Calcium:
68
mg


Iron:
3
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course:
BBQ

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Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or new to the world of smoking, this honey chipotle glazed chicken leg quarter recipe is designed for success. Its vibrant flavors, tender texture, and straightforward process make it an instant favorite. So fire up your offset smoker, gather your ingredients, and prepare to create a truly memorable meal that brings together the best of sweet, smoky, and spicy. Happy smoking!