This homemade Barbecue Chicken Rub makes boring chicken amazing! Did you ever wonder how restaurants make it so good? This is how.
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Why this Barbecue Chicken Rub Recipe is a Keeper
With a lot of trial and tribulation I have come up with what, I think, is the perfect homemade chicken rub. So break out your smoker or pellet grill and wood chips and get cooking.
- 5 Minutes: Make it and have it on hand whenever you want flavorful chicken. This is one of the best dry rub recipes.
- Easy Ingredients & Simple to Prepare: All found in pantry. Only 10 ingredients just mix and you are ready.
- Family Friendly Chicken Dinner: If they are a fan of flavor than the whole family will love this dry rub. Whether it is grilled chicken breasts or one of our favorite chicken you are using it will make it better.
- Adaptable: Can make it your own flavorful homemade spice rub by omitting things your family does not enjoy and adding things they do like. So add oregano if they like or omit the salt.
If you’re looking for more homemade blend of spices recipes, try these Best Burger Seasoning, Fajitas Seasoning Recipe and Low Sodium Taco Seasoning.
How do you use the Chicken Dry Rub?
When ready to use, pat chicken dry and apply a tablespoon or two to chicken rub the spice liberally. You can use this chicken rub recipe on any type of chicken. If you are going to use a piece of chicken with the skin still on, put the rub underneath the skin so the flavors can be locked in and the flavor will permeate the meat.
Ingredient Notes for BBQ Seasoning
This recipe is perfect for the grill or you can use this spice blend in the oven.
- Salt: Sea salt, kosher salt, whatever you like to use.
- Paprika: The paprika provides that smokey flavor to the bird.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Staples to add flavor to almost any dish.
- Dried Herbs: A mixture of dried thyme, dried grounds sage, dried parsley, fresh ground black pepper, and dried rosemary.
- Cayenne Pepper: You need a touch of heat and this is perfect for the rub.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Dry Brine Spice Rub
That is the whole point. You can make this seasoning anytime you like and have it ready to use.
Special Equipment Needed for Dry Chicken or Pork Rub
You will need a few tools for this bbq rub for grilled chicken.
- Airtight Container: Store your bbq seasoning blend in an airtight jar such as a mason jar or container.
- Funnel: This will help you make the transfer or the homemade bbq chicken rub easier.
BBQ Chicken Rub Pro Tip
Aim for a balance of sweet, savory, salty, and spicy flavors in your rub.
How to Make Dry Rub for Chicken Legs and Drumsticks
The world of spices is your oyster! Experiment with different flavor profiles to create rubs that are smoky, spicy, citrusy, herbal, or a combination of all of these.
These are the basic steps for making simple grilled chicken spice rub. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Measure
First, mix the salt and black pepper, paprika, onion and garlic powder, dried thyme, dried ground sage, dried parsley and cayenne together in a small bowl.
2: Store the Chicken Rub for Smoking
Next, place the rub in an airtight container or jar.
How to Store or Use Leftover Pantry Seasoning
It is ideal to label and date. Clearly label the container with the contents and date of preparation.
- Storing: An airtight container in a cool, dark place is the ideal storage for chicken dry rub. This helps to preserve the flavors and aromas of the spices.
- Using Leftovers: The freshness of the individual spices in the rub will impact its overall flavor. For optimal taste, it’s best to use your dry rub within 6 months.
Variations and Substitutions for this Grilled Chicken Rub
Experiment with different flavor profiles to create rubs that are smoky, spicy, citrusy, herbal, or a combination of all of these.
- Smoked Paprika: You can use this seasoning to enhance the smoky flavor on the grill.
- Zesty: Dried citrus peel lemon or lime
- Sweet: Try adding a punch of sweetness with brown sugar, honey or maple syrup.
Homemade Chicken Rub Recipe FAQs and Reader Interactions
A chicken dry rub for the smoker needs time to work its flavor magic. Allow the BBQ chicken rub to cover the chicken. We recommend letting your chicken sit with the dry rub on for a minimum of 15 minutes, but recommend 30 minutes.
This Grilled Chicken Seasoning blend works great on your favorite cut of chicken such as chicken breasts, smoked chicken thighs, chicken legs, chicken wings or even a whole chicken. Use the spice mixture on all of your favorite chicken recipes to give it a kick of flavor.
Of course, you can use this easy recipe on fish, pork rub, or tofu. This excellent rub is exceptional for excellent barbecue flavor. I love it on grilled pork and my smoked pulled pork.
Expert Tips for Making This Dry Rub on Chicken Recipe
Enhance your chicken drumsticks on the grill by using some of these other expert tips so you have the best flavor for your best BBQ chicken rub recipe.
- Add Sauce: When the chicken is nearly done, you can add any type of BBQ sauce or marinade to up the flavor.
- Heat up the Spice Level: If you like a little more heat add red pepper flakes or chili powder to the homemade bbq chicken rub.
- Variation tip: Feel free to add your favorite spices to make the best dry brine rub.
- Alternate cooking method tip: No need to use a smoker or grill for this rub, you can use it for the air fryer or crock pot. They flavor is always excellent.
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Barbecue Chicken Rub
Video
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Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Dried ground sage
- 1 teaspoon Dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon Dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon Ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Transfer to a jar with an air tight lid.
Christina’s Notes
- Add Sauce: When the chicken is nearly done, you can add any type of sauce or marinade to up the flavor.
- Heat: If you like a little more heat add red pepper flakes or chili powder to the bbq rub.
- Variation tip: Feel like adding a little sweetness to the rub, then add a little brown sugar, It helps ensure a great crust and is a great counter to the heat.
- Alternate Meat: This dry rub is excellent for pork and ribs too.
- Alternate cooking method tip: No need to use a smoker for this rub, you can use it on chicken that you want to cook in the stove, air fryer or crock pot. They flavor is always excellent.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
great seasoning recipe must say. I can smell the aroma of all spice mix. I love your collection of spice mix. great going with collection. will surely try it.
We eat chicken weekly and this has become my quick go-to rub. Delicious on pork too. Love that I have one mix of spices that can be used on different cuts of meat.
I love homemade spice and this one sounds great. With rosemary and parsley, I believe it should be aromatic.
Holy cow…this is the best chicken rub I’ve tried. I made a huge batch after the first time I made it so it would always be in the pantry!
This chicken rub is delicious! The rub really brings my regular everyday chicken to the next level. I made chicken tenders with the rub for the kids for school. Way better than a boring sandwich and they love the chicken.