Ultimate Smoked Chicken Rub Recipe

Like all good poultry rubs, this smoked chicken rub recipe includes the basics: brown sugar, sea salt, paprika, ground black pepper, and a few other signature spices. Apply this chicken rub liberally before smoking any cut of poultry to enhance the flavor and appearance, and to achieve crispy chicken skin.

Whether you are using a charcoal smoker, pellet grill, gas grill, or other type of grill, smoked chicken rub recipe won’t disappoint. Easily whip up a small batch or large batch… this dry rub recipe is a keeper amongst all of your other homemade spice blends.

If you like this basic rub recipe for smoked chicken, consider checking out this Simple Pork Rub Recipe For The Smoker.

Tips + Tricks

Get your rub to stick. Pat the chicken or other poultry completely dry with paper towel before applying the smoked chicken rub. You may also choose to lightly cover your meat in a little olive oil before pressing and rubbing the seasoning into your chicken.

PRO TIP: Achieve delicious crust. It is a good idea to lightly coat the chicken in olive oil, honey or maple syrup to further help a nice crust to develop alongside the brown sugar in the chicken rub. Ensure that the chicken is exposed to high heat to help render the fat in the skin and achieve a crispy texture (otherwise you may end up with rubbery, tough skin). Raise the temperature of the grill toward the end of cooking (reverse sear).

More time = more flavor. Allow this dry rub to sit on your chicken for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to fully develop and sink in. I love to put a thick coat of rub on and allow the spices to intensify overnight before smoking or grilling.

Have the time? Consider brining your chicken! This Simple Chicken Brine recipe is a foolproof way to get tender and juicy smoked chicken with crispy caramelized skin. Whether you are cooking a whole chicken, turkey, thighs, wings, or legs, this brine will change your chicken game for good. If brining, go easy on the rub.

Wood Chips. Add additional flavor to your smoked chicken with different flavors of wood chips whether using an electric smoker, pellet grill, or other grill. Generally fruit woods and other mild woods like pecan pair well with chicken.

Key Ingredients + Equipment

Ingredients for this bbq chicken rub are simple, don’t be afraid to add extra flavors that you may enjoy including a little bit of cayenne pepper, rosemary, etc…

Brown Sugar: The brown sugar in this chicken rub recipe gives slight caramel/molasses notes to the rub, promoting crispy chicken skin. Choose dark brown sugar if you enjoy stronger hints of molasses. White sugar can be used in a pinch. If you enjoy a sweeter rub, 1.5x the amount of brown sugar.

Paprika– smoked paprika or regular work great.

Ground Black Pepper– Fresh ground pepper lends the best flavor to your barbecued chicken.

Sea Salt– You can use sea salt, table salt, or kosher salt for this recipe. Kosher salt tends to be less concentrated than table salt… consider 1.25x your recipe.

Celery Salt- Celery salt adds another subtle flavor to this rub– if you don’t have it simply use sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon celery seed.

Garlic Powder + Onion Powder– Make sure that these are powders and not salts!

Thyme, Cumin, Parsley- These spices all add a small layer of extra flavor- if they are not your favorite, simply omit them.

Cayenne Pepper (optional)– The small amount of cayenne in this recipe adds flavor but not a lot of heat. Omit if you are sensitive.

Exactly How To Make Smoked Chicken Rub

This bbq chicken rub has 12 common ingredients that most will have in the pantry. Be brave and make substitutions where you need to!

Step 1. Pour all ingredients into a small bowl including 2/3 cup loosely packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon ground black pepper, 1.5 tablespoons chili powder, 1.5 tablespoons sea salt, 2 teaspoons celery salt, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1.5 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon parsley flakes, 1/4 teaspoon thyme, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

Step 2. Whisk until fully combined and there are no visible chunks left. You may choose to “buzz” them in your food processor to get a more fine consistency.

Step 3. Use 2-3 tablespoons on your favourite smoked chicken entree, label and place the remainder of the bbq rub in a quarter pint jar, pint jar, or other airtight container for long term storage.

How to Use Smoked Chicken Rub

The beauty of this basic rub lies in its versatility! Smoked chicken rub is made with simple ingredients that most people have on hand or can easily access at their local grocer. There are no mystery ingredients lurking behind a label such as anti-caking agents or MSG. Use it on your favorite barbecue chicken recipe or sprinkle it over Loaded Traeger Asparagus, broccoli, or other grilled vegetables.

This chicken rub can be used on any cut of chicken including chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken legs, chicken wings, or a whole bird. No bbq sauce needed with the great flavor of this chicken dry rub.

This homemade bbq chicken rub is flexible and can easily double as a pork rub- used to season your favorite cuts of pork including pork butt, pork shoulder, pork loin roast, pork chops, or pork loins. Check out this Traeger Pulled Pork recipe and use it as a short cut on the seasoning blend for the pork butt or pork shoulder recipe.

Use it on your favorite whole chicken recipe including Spatchcock Chicken and Beer Can Chicken.

Liberally rub it onto your Smoked Spatchcock Turkey, or Traditional Smoked Turkey Recipe for extra flavor and crispy skin.

Add a 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 cup of oil to make it into a wet rub/chicken marinade.

Printable Recipe Card

Frequently Asked Questions

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