These Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Leg Quarters prove that chicken doesn’t have to be complicated to be unforgettable. This recipe brings together crispy, smoke-kissed leg quarters with a rich, tangy garlic parmesan sauce that melts into the skin and locks in flavor. The result is chicken that’s juicy on the inside, lightly crisp on the outside, and dripping with creamy, savory goodness.

Instead of frying or baking, these leg quarters are cooked low and steady on a Gateway Drum Smoker, picking up clean smoke before being basted with a bold garlic parmesan sauce toward the end of the cook. That final baste transforms the chicken, giving it a glossy finish and a flavor profile that almost reminds you of Alabama white sauce—but richer, creamier, and packed with garlic and cheese.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Leg Quarters | Heath Riles BBQ

If you’re looking for a new way to cook chicken that stands out at backyard cookouts, family dinners, or weekend cooks, these Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Leg Quarters deliver from start to finish.

The Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to pull off this bold, crowd-pleasing chicken recipe:

• Chicken leg quarters. Start with fresh or fully thawed leg quarters. This cut is ideal for cooking on a Gateway Drum Smoker because it stays juicy, handles longer cook times well, and delivers big flavor. A little trimming goes a long way—cleaning up the knuckle bone and rounding the edges helps the leg quarters cook evenly and look great on the smoker.
• Olive oil. A light coating helps the rubs stick to the chicken and promotes even browning as the skin cooks and renders.
• Heath Riles BBQ Chicken Rub. This rub adds depth and balance with a subtle Southwestern-inspired flavor that works perfectly on poultry.
• Heath Riles BBQ Parmesan Garlic Seasoning. Savory, bold, and packed with garlic and cheese flavor, this seasoning sets the stage for the creamy sauce.
• Mayonnaise. The base of the creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
• Sour cream. Adds tang and smoothness.
• Apple cider vinegar. Cuts through the richness of the sauce.
• Fresh lemon juice. Adds brightness and balance.
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese. Melts cleanly and delivers strong flavor.
• Crushed red pepper. Adds subtle heat.
• Dried oregano and dried parsley. Round out the flavor profile.
• Freshly cracked black pepper. Adds bite and balance.

The Smoker Setup

Here’s what I used to cook these leg quarters to perfection:

• Gateway Drum Smoker. The Gateway Drum Smoker is ideal for this recipe. It holds steady heat, produces clean smoke, and allows you to cook chicken evenly without flare-ups.
• Royal Oak Hardwood Lump Charcoal. Royal Oak Hardwood Lump Charcoal provides consistent heat and clean burn, perfect for poultry cooks.

Fire up your Gateway Drum Smoker with Royal Oak Hardwood Lump Charcoal and let it stabilize at 300°F for 20–30 minutes before cooking.

The Process for Making Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Leg Quarters

Prep the chicken

Trim the leg quarters, clean up the knuckle bone, and remove any uneven edges. Pat the chicken dry and let it sit at room temperature while the Gateway Drum Smoker comes up to temperature.

Season generously

Lightly coat the chicken with olive oil, then season both sides with Heath Riles BBQ Chicken Rub and Heath Riles BBQ Parmesan Garlic Seasoning. Let the seasoning sweat in for 5–10 minutes.

Make the creamy garlic parmesan sauce

In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, Heath Riles BBQ Parmesan Garlic Seasoning, parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper, oregano, parsley, and black pepper. Mix until smooth.

Get the chicken on the smoker

Using heat-resistant gloves, place the chicken on the Gateway Drum Smoker skin-side down. Close the lid and cook for 25–30 minutes, rotating as needed.

Flip and continue cooking

Flip the chicken and continue cooking on the Gateway Drum Smoker, rotating to ensure even color and texture.

Baste with sauce

Once the internal temperature reaches 160–170°F, use a basting brush to apply the creamy garlic parmesan sauce. Close the lid and let the sauce set for another 10–15 minutes on the Gateway Drum Smoker.

Finish and rest

Check doneness with a Thermoworks Thermapen ONE. Remove the chicken from the Gateway Drum Smoker and let it rest before serving.

The Results

These Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Leg Quarters come off the Gateway Drum Smoker with lightly crisp skin, juicy meat, and a rich garlic parmesan finish. The balance of smoke, tang, and savory flavor makes this chicken stand out from traditional grilled recipes.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Leg Quarters

These Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Leg Quarters are rich, smoky, and packed with bold flavor on their own — but pair them with classic barbecue sides and you’ve got a complete backyard feast that hits all the right notes. Here are a few of my favorite Heath Riles BBQ recipes that make perfect companions to these leg quarters:

• Easy Classic Coleslaw — Cool, creamy, and tangy, this coleslaw brings brightness and crunch to balance the richness of the creamy parmesan sauce. It’s the kind of side you pile on a plate next to smoky chicken, ribs, or brisket to cut through the richness and add refreshing texture.
• Maple Honey BBQ Baked Beans — These beans are a backyard staple for a reason. Sweet, smoky, and hearty with a touch of pulled pork mixed in, their rich flavor pairs beautifully with grilled chicken. The maple-honey sweetness and BBQ depth elevate the whole meal when served alongside the creamy garlic parmesan goodness of the leg quarters.
• Classic Southern Potato Salad — A Southern favorite with tender russet potatoes, creamy dressing, mustard tang, and bold seasoning from Heath Riles BBQ Everyday and Garlic Jalapeño Rubs, this potato salad is a crowd-pleasing side that works with just about any barbecue main. Whether served warm or chilled, it’s comforting and classic next to saucy, well-seasoned chicken.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the Gateway Drum Smoker or in the oven to maintain texture.

Final Thoughts

These Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Leg Quarters show how simple ingredients cooked properly on a Gateway Drum Smoker can deliver massive flavor. With Royal Oak Hardwood Lump Charcoal, bold seasoning, and a creamy finish, this recipe is guaranteed to impress.

Equipment and Tools

Gateway Drum Smoker, Royal Oak Hardwood Lump Charcoal, Mixing bowl, Basting brush, Thermoworks Thermapen ONE, Heat-resistant gloves