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If you’re going to be grilling this season, be sure to use this Dry Rub for Chicken! It’s an all-purpose recipe that gives a light flavor while seasoning it with seasoning salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder and more. Yum! Whether you’re cooking outdoors or in, look no further for the best dry rub recipe! Similar to my Pulled Pork Dry Rub and the seasoning on my Baked Chicken Legs and Smoked Chicken Wings.
Delicious, Flavorful Chicken Every Time
Chicken in general needs a lot of seasoning because on its own, it doesn’t have tons of flavor.
I purposely kept things neutral with my flavor profiles and I’m not just talking about seasoning salt, though it definitely helps. With enough of a hit of garlic powder, dried mustard, brown sugar, onion powder and smoked paprika, the mixture works magically to produce super delicious chicken without anyone really knowing why. It’s really a great dry rub for chicken and you too will become converted.
Let’s Make Chicken Dry Rub
Making this particular dry rub (or really any homemade spice blend) just requires a small bowl, a few measuring spoons and five minutes of time. All you do is measure all the spices together, stir them up and store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to use. Sprinkle your pieces of chicken liberally with the seasoning and cook as desired. Here’s what you will need:
- Seasoning Salt, such as Lawry’s – to help bring out the other flavors
- Black Pepper – for a little heat
- Garlic & Onion Powder – for a great flavor base
- Smoked Paprika – for some smoky flavoring
- Brown Sugar – for a little sweetness and to help with caramelization, especially if grilling
- Dried Mustard – for a little kick
Which Cuts of Chicken Should I Use with a Dry Rub?
I mentioned above that this Chicken Dry Rub is an all-purpose mix of spices that honestly could work on any piece of the chicken. Literally. You can use it on a whole chicken you will roast, on simple boneless skinless chicken breasts, on bone-in chicken thighs or even the drumsticks. It all will work!
How to Cook Chicken With Dry Rub
Grilling – Sprinkle the chicken with dry rub (and olive oil if desired) and grill until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Stove Top – Preheat a large, nonstick skillet with olive oil. Sprinkle chicken with dry rub and brown on both sides, cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Baking – Sprinkle chicken with dry rub (and olive oil if desired). Place chicken on a foil lined, greased baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Pieces of chicken that are still on a bone will take longer to cool than boneless, so keep that in mind.
Delicious Sides to Serve with Chicken
- Butter Rice (my favorite way to make rice!)
- Classic Coleslaw Recipe
- Funeral Potatoes
- Iceberg Wedge Salad Recipe
- Best Pan Fried Potatoes
- Caprese Salad with Garlic Balsamic Dressing
Anyways, I hope you love this recipe as much as me and my family did. It’s certainly a tasty one to have ready to go this summer, for all your grilling needs. Have a great day, friends!
Chicken Dry Rub
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons seasoning salt such as Lawry's
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined. Store in an airtight container for up to six months.
- To use, blot pieces of chicken with paper towels. Rub with olive oil (optional) and then sprinkle pieces of chicken liberally with dry rub. Cook as desired.
