Chicken Rub

Elevate your chicken dinners with this easy homemade Chicken Rub that’s bursting with flavor from simple pantry herbs and spices. Whether you’re grilling, baking, or smoking, this seasoning blend adds the perfect touch to juicy, delicious chicken every time.

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If you’re looking for a simple homemade dry rub for chicken that delivers every time, this is the one for you. While there are several different spices to add to the mix, you’re going to love the taste and texture of this simple recipe. Plus I know you’ve got everything you need at home to get started on this chicken rub recipe. 

Chicken is such a great protein to cook and eat. We love Grilled Chicken Thighs for an easy dinner and this is the best chicken rub on chicken breasts, too! I love how versatile it is and how it takes on the flavors of spices and seasonings so well.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This savory chicken rub is made with pantry staples, so you’ll be able to mix it up any time.
• Chicken is a really versatile dish, so this combination of herbs and spices goes so well with any cut of chicken. Try it out on your veggies, too!
• A little goes a long way. Use this rub when you do your weekly meal prep whether just mixing it and storing it, or cooking the chicken. You’ll be so glad you did when you sit down to an easy and delicious meal.

Ingredients For Chicken Rub

• Sea salt – Sea salt has a distinct taste that enhances the overall flavor of the rub. Plus it’s coarse texture will help to create a crust on your cooked chicken.
• Dried basil – Adds a herby flavor while slightly peppery.
• Crushed dried rosemary – Adds savory depth to the chicken dishes.
• Garlic powder – If you have garlic salt on hand instead, use less sea salt.
• Dry mustard powder – This gives the rub a bit of a kick.
• Smoked paprika – This gives the rub a distinct smokiness. If you only have regular paprika, you could add a little bit of chili powder to offer a smoky flavor.
• Ground black pepper – This enhances the overall flavor of the chicken.
• Dried thyme – Has a distinct, yet mild flavor to add to the dish.
• Onion powder – Rather than use fresh onions in this dish, onion powder allows for even distribution of the slightly sweet flavor.
• Dried parsley – This popular herb adds a dash of green color and fresh flavor to the chicken rub.
• Ground cumin – Adds a mildly earthy flavor.
• Cayenne pepper – Adds a little bit of kick to the rub.

How To Make Chicken Rub

Simply combine all dried spices and herbs in a small bowl and stir to combine.

Triple up a batch of this simple chicken rub to keep some on hand and you’ll never wonder how to season your chicken again. Your whole family will love the flavor and the texture of the crust left behind by this rub.

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4.88 from 8 votes

Chicken Rub

Easy homemade chicken rub with smoked paprika, garlic, and simple pantry staple spices. Perfect for juicy grilled, baked, or smoked chicken packed with flavor.

Prep:10 minutes mins

Total:10 minutes mins

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1

Equipment

• Small mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Mini whisk
• Spice jars optional

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ▢ ½ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground dried thyme
• ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.

Tips

This recipe is enough to prepare about 2 lbs of chicken.

Store chicken rub in an airtight container in a cool, dry cupboard to avoid clumping. Use within a year of mixing.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 38kcal (2%), Carbohydrates: 7g (2%), Protein: 2g (4%), Fat: 1g (2%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Sodium: 3497mg (152%), Potassium: 83mg (2%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 1079IU (22%), Calcium: 16mg (2%), Iron: 2mg (11%)

© Gimme Some Grilling ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.

What Is The Difference Between Seasoning And A Rub

The difference is quite simple, actually. A rub like this one is used to season chicken prior to cooking. Think of it more like a dry marinade that will add a crust to the outside of your chicken. Seasoning, on the other hand, is used to enhance flavor throughout the cooking process.

Storage

Store chicken rub in an airtight container in a cool, dry cupboard to avoid clumping. Use within a year of mixing.

How To Use Chicken Rub

This rub can really be used on any cut of chicken! Season wings, thighs, breasts or even a whole chicken. Rub the chicken at least 15-30 minutes prior to cooking to give the flavor a chance to infuse into and tenderize the chicken.

Whether your family prefers to eat chicken that’s been cooked on a smoker, grill or even the Blackstone grill, this chicken rub will make it a mouthwatering dish. Weather not ideal for outdoor cooking? Give your air fryer a try!

More Great Dry Rub Recipes

• Your new go-to Beef Rub is perfect for roasts, steaks and more! Keep a container on hand for any time you want a mouthwatering meal.
• Every home cook needs a Sweet and Smoky Rub to put on all of their favorite cuts of meat. It’s so versatile, try it on your favorite grilled, veggies, too.
• When you’ve got a crowd over for a cookout, BBQ Chicken Rub is your top ingredient for a great chicken dish. Whether you season wings, thighs or legs, everyone will be asking you for this recipe.
• Pork has bit of a bad reputation for being dry and tasting bland, but our Pork Dry Rub is bound to amaze even the toughest food critics in your family. Season a loin, ribs or chops and there won’t be a crumb left on anyone’s plate.