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    Home » Pellet Grill/Smoker

    Dry Rub For Smoked Chicken

    Published: Jul 18, 2021 · Modified: Jun 20, 2022 by Jeri Walker · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

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    Long pin for homemade dry rub for chicken
    A white bowl filled with dry spice rub, with a measureing spoon beside it, and in the bottom photo a picture of chicken legs on a plate with sliced mushrooms
    Long pin for homemade dry rub for chicken

    This homemade Dry Rub for Smoked Chicken is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and spicy, made with everyday ingredients. This BBQ rub for chicken leaves a beautifully caramelized crusty and crackly exterior. It is the perfect rub for any smoked chicken recipe or any chicken that is oven-baked or cooked in the Air Fryer, Instant Pot, or slow cooker. You can use it on chicken breasts, chicken wings, thighs, quarters, and legs. It's so versatile; it can also be used as a BBQ rub for turkey or pork. It also tastes great on ham! Plus, this rub is gluten-free!

    PIN the recipe to try it later!

    Dry spice rub for chicken in a white bowl. this …

    When people think of dry rub, they generally think of spices and herbs mixed to use as a seasoning. But a dry rub is more than just a spice mix.

    A dry rub also helps brown and caramelize chicken that is smoked on the grill. Who doesn't love a crispy carmelized coating?

    This rub for smoked chicken is simple to make, and you can have it ready to go in only 5 minutes. This is our go-to rub for chicken anytime we cook it on the smoker, and we feel it is the best chicken rub for smoking. Because it is a dry rub, it has no added liquid in it, which means the outside of the chicken will start to sear quickly and give you the flavor you're looking for.

    This recipe is delicious as a rub for Smoked Chicken Thighs, Instant Pot Chicken Breasts - From Frozen, Smoked Chicken Legs, and Smoked Turkey.

    Be sure to try my recipes for homemade Prime Rib Rub, Smoked Turkey Rub, Smoked Brisket Rub, and Pork Rub.

    Jump to:
    • What is a dry rub?
    • Why you need to make chicken rub for grilling
    • Ingredients for dry chicken rub for smoking
    • Step-by-Step Instructions for chicken rub for smoker
    • Variations for dry rub for smoked chicken
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • Top Tips for Smoked Chicken Rub Recipe
    • How to store chicken smoker rub
    • Related Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • More recipes
    • 💬 Comments

    What is a dry rub?

    A dry rub is used to flavor meat and give it a nice delicious coating. It consists of dry ingredients such as herbs, spices, and sugar. A dry rub is coarser than seasoning and applied heavier than seasoning. Dry rubs help enhance the flavor and create a unique taste for each dish.

    Spice rub in a bowl with chicken in a baking pan in the background

    Why you need to make chicken rub for grilling

    Homemade rub for chicken is economical. It costs just a fraction of what you would typically pay to buy chicken rub at the store, and it is much more delicious. Plus, you know what ingredients are in it, and you can feel good knowing it doesn't contain any preservatives.

    This chicken rub recipe for smoking gives chicken, turkey, or pork amazing flavor; it is the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. The brown sugar carmelizes in the heat and leaves a crusty, savory exterior. We love using it every time we make Smoked Chicken Legs.

    This chicken dry rub recipe makes about ½ cup of seasoning, which is a lot. However, it will last for approximately 4 grilling sessions. This, of course, depends on how much you use and how much meat you put it on.

    Ingredients for dry chicken rub for smoking

    Ingredients for dry rub in measuring ingredients
    • Brown sugar. Light or dark brown sugar will work. Dark brown sugar has a higher molasses content which will give it a richer taste.
    • Paprika. I highly recommend smoked paprika if you have it.
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Roasted garlic and peppers seasoning. The kind I use is made by Club House and it can be found in the grocery store or Costco.
    • Chili powder
    • Seasoning salt
    • Black pepper or use freshly ground peppercorns.

    Detailed measurements are in the recipe card below.

    Step-by-Step Instructions for chicken rub for smoker

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

    You can also place spices and herbs in a glass jar. Place a lid on the jar and shake it for about 10 seconds to mix all the ingredients.

    To use, sprinkle dry rub on meat liberally with a spoon.

    Alternatively, place a couple of teaspoons of rub on a plate and roll the meat in it to coat. Cover all areas, top, bottom, and sides. If not grilling or smoking the meat right away, place it in the fridge until you are ready to cook it.

    Dry spice rub being mixed together in a white bowl with a spoon

    Variations for dry rub for smoked chicken

    You can easily switch up ingredients in this dry rub recipe to suit specific tastes. Experiment with different flavors and see what works best for you. Some ideas you might want to try are:

    • More Sweet - add extra brown sugar to the spice rub for a sweeter taste.
    • Less sweet: If you prefer your rub to be less sweet, use only 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar
    • Spicier: If you would like your spice rub spicier, increase the chili powder
    • Extra spicy: If you want to add even more spice to this recipe, add some cayenne pepper. Just a pinch will do!

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    How long before cooking do you apply dry rub?

    Let the rub sit on the meat for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours for the best results. Just make sure to place the meat back in the fridge if you are not cooking it right away. I usually put the rub on the meat, then preheat the grill. By the time the grill is heated, the meat is ready to be placed on the grill. Because the meat is smoked, it is cooked at a lower temperature, and the rub will have lots of time to work its magic.

    How do you stick a dry rub to chicken?

    To make the rub stick better, drizzle a light layer of olive oil onto the chicken before applying the dry rub. The olive oil helps the rub stick better to the meat, making it less likely to fall off.

    Can you use a dry rub and BBQ sauce?

    Many people love barbecue sauce on their meat. It can be used with a dry rub, but apply it during the last few minutes of cooking.

    Homemade spice rub on a spoon

    Top Tips for Smoked Chicken Rub Recipe

    Use the freshest ingredients that you can. For example, spices tend to lose their flavor and aroma about 9 months after they are opened.

    Pat chicken dry with a paper towel to remove moisture to prevent the rub from sliding off.

    Place the spice rub in an electric salt and pepper grinder so it is ready to use whenever you are, and it's a cinch to use.

    Dry spice rub in glass jar that has spilled out onto the counter, and in an electric grinder in the background

    How to store chicken smoker rub

    Store dry rub in an airtight container such as a glass jar or resealable bag in a cool, dry place. Make sure it is kept away from heat and sunlight. For example, the pantry or a kitchen cabinet are great places to store chicken spice rub. If it is stored properly, this rub will keep for up to 6 months. However, for optimal flavor, use the rub within 2 months.

    Make sure to date and label the jar or bag.

    For optimal freshness, store smoked chicken rub in the freezer in a resealable bag. It will stay fresh and fragrant for up to a year.

    Related Recipes

    • Smoked Chuck Roast Recipe
    • Double Smoked Ham Recipe with Brown Sugar Maple Glaze
    • Smoked Burger Recipe on Pellet Grill
    • Best Smoked Salmon on Pellet Grill

    This is the perfect rub for smoking chicken, turkey, ham, and even ribs. With this rub, your dish will taste amazing and look beautiful on the plate.

    Start preparing your favorite dish with this versatile and flavorful dry rub today!

    If you've tried this Dry Rub For Smoked Chicken or any other recipe, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!

    You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Would you please tag me in your photos @windingcreek_ranch? I would love to see your pictures!

    📋 Recipe

    Dry spice rub for chicken in a white bowl.

    Dry Rub For Smoked Chicken

    This homemade dry rub is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and spicy, made with everyday ingredients. This rub for chicken leaves a beautifully caramelized crusty and crackly exterior. It is the perfect rub for grilled chicken or chicken that is smoked, oven-baked, or cooked in the Air Fryer or Instant Pot. I've used it on chicken breasts, chicken wings, chicken quarters, and chicken legs. But that's not all; it is so versatile; it can be used as a BBQ rub for pork.
    4.86 from 99 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 9 tablespoons
    Calories: 3.1kcal
    Author: Jeri Walker
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    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoon Roasted Garlic and Peppers seasoning a Club House seasoning
    • 2 teaspoon paprika
    • 2 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Place all the spices in a small bowl or a glass jar with a lid and shake gently to combine.
    • Sprinkle dry rub on meat liberally with a spoon, or place a couple of teaspoons of rub on a plate and roll the meat in it to coat. Cover all areas, top, bottom, and sides. If not grilling or smoking the meat right away, place it in the fridge until you are ready to cook it.
    • Store in an airtight jar or a Ziploc bag in a cool, dry place.

    Notes

    Store dry rub in an airtight container such as a glass jar or resealable bag in a cool, dry place. Make sure it is kept away from heat and sunlight. The pantry or a kitchen cabinet are great places to store chicken spice rub. If it is stored properly, this rub will keep for up to 6 months. However, for optimal flavor, use the rub within 2 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 3.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.1g | Protein: 0.1g | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.6g | Calcium: 1mg
    L❤️VE this recipe? PIN it for later! 😊Mention @windingcreek_ranch or tag #windingcreek_ranch on IG!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. DesertRacer225

      February 05, 2023 at 8:20 am

      5 stars
      This dry rub is fantastic! I used it for a smoked turkey and everyone loved it. I'll change up the amounts of the ingredients next time (maybe more brown sugar and paprika) but I doubt I can make it better than the original. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jeri Walker

        February 05, 2023 at 2:45 pm

        Thanks so much for trying the Smoked Chicken Rub - I'm glad you liked it! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Tracy Miller

      November 22, 2022 at 10:00 pm

      5 stars
      Used this last year and gonna do it again this year! It was the best turkey I ever had!

      Reply
      • Jeri Walker

        November 23, 2022 at 7:08 am

        Thanks for the great review, Tracy! I'm so glad you loved the dry rub on your turkey, and I'm thrilled you are using it again this year! Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Ginny

      July 13, 2022 at 12:33 pm

      Who makes the Garlic & Pepper seasoning? I've never seen it in the grocery store.

      Reply
      • Jeri

        July 13, 2022 at 1:17 pm

        Hi, Ginny. It's made by Club House. Lawry and McCormick also make one, but I love the Club House one. It should be at your local grocery store in the spice aisle, or at Walmart or Costco.

        Reply
    4. George Anderson

      November 26, 2021 at 6:12 pm

      2 stars
      TOO SWEET!! I was hoping for a spicy flavor and it was brown sugar tasting. Next time I will only use 1 Tbsp of Brown Sugar

      Reply
      • Jeri

        November 27, 2021 at 9:12 am

        Hi George! Thank you for the feedback! I have taken your advice and made a new section in the blog post for variations. I know that other people will find your comment helpful. Thanks!

        Reply
    5. Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/

      July 22, 2021 at 3:20 am

      5 stars
      Great combo of spices for a dry rub! Agreed, when they are fresh (or freshly grated if it is the case), the flavour is more intense.

      Reply
    6. Jeannie

      July 21, 2021 at 6:50 pm

      5 stars
      This is brilliant! It can totally save me money than buying pre pack seasoning.

      Reply
    7. Freya

      July 21, 2021 at 1:50 pm

      5 stars
      This rub was amazing on tofu cubes and roast veg too! It has so much flavour!

      Reply
      • Kyle

        June 11, 2022 at 9:59 pm

        Top of article calls out onion powder... ingredient list later omits it... 1 teaspoon?

        Reply
        • Jeri

          June 11, 2022 at 10:06 pm

          Oh no! The amount of onion powder is 2 teaspoons. The recipe card is now updated. Thanks for letting me know! Please let me know how you like it!

          Reply
    8. Gregory Halpen

      July 21, 2021 at 1:31 pm

      5 stars
      I love your mixture of spices! I’m definitely going to try this on a whole chicken I’m about to roast!

      Reply
    9. Marita

      July 21, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for the recipe, I always struggle with spicing chicken but this looks so simple to put together. I will definitely try it.

      Reply
    10. Kayla DiMaggio

      July 21, 2021 at 12:11 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! Dry rubs are my favorite and this one was so simple and delicious!

      Reply

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