Chicken Dry Rub Recipe
Chicken Rub is the secret ingredient your recipes have been craving! Packed with flavor, this magical blend of herbs and spices transforms ordinary chicken into a tantalizing culinary masterpiece. You can infuse your dish with a harmonious blend of savory and spicy notes with spices you probably have on hand!
Having a chicken rub blend readily available is a game-changer for when you need a quick and flavorful meal. I’m a fan of marinating chicken, but often I just don’t have time. Chicken rub to the rescue! While allowing the rub to marinate the chicken is ideal, this recipe yields delicious results even when you’re short on time.
And most of the spices (if not all) in the blend are pantry staples, so no need for an extra trip to the store. Just a dash of a few on-hand spices, and voila!—a homemade rub that rivals any store-bought option. 😉
What Is Chicken Rub?
A flavorful blend of herbs and spices expressly crafted to enhance the taste of chicken is a lifesaver. The standard is onion powder, garlic powder, dried herbs (sage and oregano), and spices (paprika and celery seed). While it’s primarily designed to kick chicken up a notch, you can also use it on other meat, such as turkey, pork, and fish.
Seasoning Ingredients
- Aromatics – Onions provide a sweet and savory taste, while garlic adds a pungent and slightly spicy flavor.
- Dried Herbs – Thyme, oregano, and sage add fragrance and minty and earthy undertones to the rub.
- Spices – Cayenne pepper, mustard powder, paprika, cumin, and celery seeds add depth, complexity, and a little heat.
- Sweeteners – Sugar is an optional ingredient in the chicken rub, but I recommend it because it balances the overall flavor profile.
How to Make Chicken Rub
- Gather together all the ingredients. (Photo 1)
- Combine – Mix all the ingredients well in a small bowl or jar. (Photo 2)
- Store – Tightly cover and store in a cool place until ready to use.
FAQs
For optimal flavor infusion, I recommend letting the dry rub sit on the chicken overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate and enhance the taste. However, 30 minutes will do the trick when you’re short on time.
Both dry rubs and marinades have their merits, but it depends on your preference. Dry rubs provide a flavorful crust on the chicken, while marinades tenderize the meat more with the inclusion of acid.
Both seasonings and rubs add flavor to a dish. However, seasonings can be added before or after cooking, while rubs are generally only used before. Also, rubs are coarser in texture, adding a nice crust to the meat, and are used more liberally.
Tips and Tricks
- Opt for fresh and high-quality spices whenever possible for the best results. Stale spices make a stale rub.
- Some popular spices in a rub mix include smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, cumin, and chili powder. However, don’t be afraid to add your own twist and include unique spices you enjoy.
- It’s also essential to correctly measure your spices to ensure the rub is balanced and strong enough. A good rule is 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of meat.
- Coat the chicken with some olive oil or Worcestershire sauce before applying the rub to help it stick to the meat.
- If you enjoy spicy, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to spice it up.
How to Use It
Chicken rub works wonders if you’re grilling breasts, wings, or boneless chicken thighs, infusing them with irresistible flavors. But you can also enhance savory baked goods, pan-frying, slow cooking, and more. Try it with smoked turkey wings or smoked pulled pork as a seasoning alternative. Yum!
Serving and Storage Instructions
Sprinkle the rub all over a whole chicken or chicken parts, and coat it evenly.
Store your mix in a jar or airtight container in the pantry. Use it within 6-12 months for the best quality and flavor.
More Easy Seasoning Blends to Try
Conclusion
Chicken Rub is a versatile, flavorful, and convenient mix of seasonings that elevates the taste of your chicken dishes. How do you use this yummy rub? Hit me up with your creative cooking ideas! 😍
Chicken Rub
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) onion powder
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon (1.8 g) dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoon (1.8 g) dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoon (1.8 g) sage
- ½ tablespoon (3.5 g) black pepper, freshly ground
- ¼ teaspoon (0.6 g) cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon (1.2 g) dried mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon (2.3 g) smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) celery seed (optional)
- 2 teaspoon (12 g) kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl or jar, ensuring they are thoroughly mixed. Once mixed, tightly cover the bowl or jar and store it in a cool place until you're ready to use it.
- If you plan to use the seasoning immediately, simply sprinkle it evenly over the whole chicken or chicken parts, ensuring that they are coated well.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a minimum of 30 minutes before cooking. This resting period will enable the flavors to infuse into the chicken, enhancing its taste.
Notes
- Opt for fresh and high-quality spices whenever possible for the best results. Stale spices make a stale rub.
- Some popular spices in a rub mix include smoked paprika, garlic and onion powder, cumin, and chili powder. However, don’t be afraid to add your own twist and include unique spices you enjoy.
- It’s also essential to correctly measure your spices to ensure the rub is balanced and strong enough. A good rule is 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of meat.
- Coat the chicken with some olive oil or Worcestershire sauce before applying the rub to help it stick to the meat.
- If you enjoy spicy, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to spice it up.
