BBQ Chicken Rub
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Delicious Homemade BBQ Chicken Rub featuring a mix of sugar, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and ground oregano for a flavorful homemade spice rub! It’s perfect for your grilled chicken or smoked chicken. Rub it on your chicken legs, whole chicken, chicken breasts and more to give it the best flavor ever.
I love having a stash of homemade rubs for our pellet grill or for grilling in my cupboard. That way whenever we are going to smoke pr grill meat I can reach in there and pull one out. This BBQ Chicken Dry Rub is super easy, with pantry staples, and makes smoked chicken so flavorful!
This rub is simple to prepare and you can customize it according to your personal preferences. This particular recipes has brown sugar, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and ground oregano.
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Rub:
All ingredients that are already in your pantry more than likely!
If you don’t like a particular flavor you can leave it out. Is you want something with a little more pepper throw a little in there!
If sodium is of a concern leave it in there but I wouldn’t take it all out as it helps meat retain water and make it extra juicy!
I would double or even triple this recipe so that you have extra you can store in a Mason Jar in the pantry so it’s handy whenever you want to smoke chicken.
- Brown Sugar
- Salt
- Chili Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Ground Oregano
How to Use it
First, mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl then apply to chicken. Store leftovers in air tight container in a cool, dry space. If store properly it will keep for months.
We love to use this one our whole smoked chicken or our smoked chicken breasts. You can really use it on any type of chicken that you are smoking. Simply rub it on the chicken skin or meat and then smoke it according to directions.
It’s also great on grilled chicken! We love grilling chicken thighs, chicken breasts and wings with this simply seasoning because it gives it so much flavor.
We recommend letting your chicken sit with the dry rub on for a minimum of 15 minutes, but recommend 30 minutes. Remember to tuck it in the fridge while it marinates.
A pro tip is to rub some of the seasoning under the chicken skin if the piece of chicken you are using has skin on it. It helps the flavor really get into that meat and give it the best flavor.
MORE DRY RUB RECIPES:
- Making a brisket? Start with this Brisket Rub that’s super simple and give your brisket a ton of flavor!
- Making Smoked Ribs? This Dry Rub for Ribs is the secret ingredient to give them the BEST flavor!
- My favorite versatile seasoning for smoking or grilling is this Sweet and Smoky Rub. Perfect for vegetables or grilled pork, chicken and more!
Don’t forget, comment below and let me know how much you love this rub and what you used it on! Post a picture on Instagram and be sure to tag me so I can see it too!
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BBQ Chicken Rub
Ingredients
- 1/4 c. brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp ground oregano
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together. Store in airtight container.
Tips
- We love to use this one our whole smoked chicken or our smoked chicken breasts. You can really use it on any type of chicken that you are smoking. Simply rub it on the chicken skin or meat and then smoke it according to directions.
- It's also great on grilled chicken! We love grilling chicken thighs, chicken breasts and wings with this simply seasoning because it gives it so much flavor.
- We recommend letting your chicken sit with the dry rub on for a minimum of 15 minutes, but recommend 30 minutes. Remember to tuck it in the fridge while it marinates.
- A pro tip is to rub some of the seasoning under the chicken skin if the piece of chicken you are using has skin on it. It helps the flavor really get into that meat and give it the best flavor.
Carol Ashe says
Fantastic
Edward Matthews says
Does the chili powder make the rub too spicy/ hot?
the Evinks says
We don’t think so, but you could always cut it in half!
DeWayne A Strong says
we really enjoy this recipe for our grilled chicken
Sarah Hill says
I’m so glad you enjoy this rub! Thanks so much for commenting and rating!
Ihor says
Love this recipe!
Courtney says
Thank you!! 😊
Joe Greenup says
used on drumsticks in instant pot. very flavorful and easy to make and use
Courtney says
Yum, what a great idea!
Susan Maple says
Love this recipe! Doesn’t call for alot of ingredients I don’t have in my pantry!
Ed Matthews says
Basically a standard recipe for chicken rub. I suggest DRY brine the chicken over night. Spatchcock your bird and w/ a liberal amount of Kosher Salt, sprinkle all over and under the skin. Next day, rinse off the bird. I use Olive Oil as a binder for the rub. Coat bird all over with the oil and under the skin. Apply your rub all and agin under the skin. WHY? BC the rub will NOT penetrate thru the skin into the meat. Let the bird set about 20 minutes and let it get to room temp before your cook . I have a Z Grill Pellet Smoker 1000 Series. I set mine at 225*F for an hour and half…Low and Slow meat side down . Internal temp should be about 150*F. Apply BBQ sauce the last ten minutes of the cook. Good Luck.
USMC66′- / 77563
Wendy says
I have a husband who is a very picky eater! We both agreed this was a awesome rub! Thank you for sharing!
Megan Mitzel says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you both enjoyed it!
Kate says
Hi!
I’m from the UK and keen to try your rub this weekend! Can I check, what is the measure of brown sugar? I’m not familiar with c. as a measure.
Megan Mitzel says
Hi Kate! 1/4 cup of brown sugar
Gary M Smeaton says
What bbq sauce will best compliment you most excellent rub?
Julie Evink says
We usually use Sweet Baby Rays!
D Propp says
Great chicken rub. I used Ancho Chili rather than standard, nondescript Chili powder to give it a wonderful, rich flavor.
Julie Evink says
Great way to mix it up!
Sarah says
Love this chicken recipes ??
Mike says
Beautiful,
Family loves this chicken rub!
Julie Evink says
So glad you all enjoy it! Thanks for commenting/rating it!