This Dry Rub Barbecue Chicken is a delicious twist on grilled chicken. It’s crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with sweet barbecue flavour, making it perfect for grilling. It’s a quick and easy recipe you’re going to love!
Looking for more chicken recipes? You’ll love my Easy Greek Chicken Souvlaki or this delicious One-Pan Roasted Chicken Dinner!
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You guys, we’re in the middle of a heat wave here! Tomorrow is supposed to be 34 degrees (Celsius) which is HOT! I realize that some of you probably live in hotter places in the world than I do…I’m a Canadian girl so hot and humid is not really something I’m used to, although I don’t actually mind it when a heat wave like this comes along.
Because when you spend 6 months of the year shovelling snow and battling 30-below-zero temperatures, a summer heat wave is a welcome change. I’ve told you before that I start grilling in the spring as soon as I can stand outside without freezing my hands off, and I grill as much as I can all summer long no matter how hot it gets. With grilling comes a whole new set of flavour possibilities and I love coming up with new ways to spice up our grilling routine, especially when it comes to chicken!
There’s a million and one ways to grill chicken, but this dry rub is one of our favourite ways. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and spice, and it’s SO easy. Just throw all the spices in a bowl and massage the rub into the chicken before grilling. And the best part? This recipe doesn’t call for any obscure ingredients – just normal, everyday pantry staples that you probably already have in your kitchen!
Looking for even more chicken recipes? You’ll love my Honey Garlic and Lime Chicken, or these Paprika Chicken Thighs with Roasted Root Vegetables and Kale!
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I’ve tried several dry rub recipes over the years, and I’ve finally come up with one that everyone in the family seems to love. The trouble is, most dry rubs are either far too spicy or too salty, so finding one you love can be a challenge. I’ve modified mine from this Magic Dust recipe and it seems to be the perfect balance of flavours: a little bit smoky, a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet and perfectly savoury. I know you’re going to love it as much as we do!
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If skewers aren’t your thing, feel free to use this spice rub on whole chicken breasts, chicken legs or drumsticks, or even thighs. Just make sure to adjust your grilling time accordingly!
Looking for more grilling recipes? Try my Turkey Burgers with Spinach and Sriracha Mayo, or these Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges!
I hope you like this Dry Rub Barbecue Chicken recipe! Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favourite way to enjoy chicken in the summer?
Looking for more delicious grilling recipes? My readers LOVE the ones I have linked below!
This Asian- Inspired Ginger Soy Grilled Chicken is one of the most popular grilling recipes on my blog!
This White Wine and Herb Marinated Grilled Chicken is our family’s favourite recipe for grilling!
These Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges with Sweet Curry Aioli is the perfect side dish for your next grilling party!
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Dry Rub Barbecue Chicken
This Dry Rub Barbecue Chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with sweet barbecue flavour, making it perfect for grilling.
Recipe: Ingredients
- 6 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3-4 teaspoons brown sugar
- 3/4 tsp mustard powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 teaspoons chili powder mild
- a pinch of cayenne pepper
- 4 chicken breasts if using wooden skewers, soak in water for at least one hour before using, cut into long thin strips (8 skewers)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish if desired
Recipe: Instructions
- In a large bowl combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, mustard powder, sea salt, black pepper, chili powder and cayenne pepper (if using) and whisk all the spices together with a wire whisk.
- Add the chicken breast strips to the bowl and toss them in the spice mixture with a fork until they're well coated. Use your hands to rub the spice mixture into the chicken pieces well, making sure the spice mixture gets into every crack and crevice.
- Thread the chicken strips onto the 8 skewers securely and set them aside on a plate.
- If you have the time, cover them with some plastic wrap and refrigerate them for 1-2 hours before grilling. If you're short on time, just slap them right on a preheated grill and they'll taste just fine!
- Grill the chicken skewers over medium-low heat for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
- Serve on a platter with a sprinkling of fresh cilantro, alongside all your favourite summer side dishes at your next backyard barbecue!
Recipe: Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Dry Rub Barbecue Chicken
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 293
Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 145mg48%
Sodium 590mg26%
Potassium 970mg28%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 49g98%
Vitamin A 2138IU43%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 25mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
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These look yummy. I'll have to try.
Thanks! I hope you enjoy them!
This was excellent! Next time I'm going to mix a large batch of the spices and try it on baked chicken.
That's great! And yes, that works well too! 🙂
I have never done a dry rub before and I think I have screwed up . When I put my chicken strips into the bowl and rubbed in spices I now have more of a paste. I presently have put in the fridge for the hour before I barbecue have sticks soaking
As well.
Help please should I have dried chicken with paper towel …and done more sprinkling of the spices on the chicken strips.
What can I do now to rescue ?
Yes, your chicken could have probably been a bit dryer but you’re supposed to rub the spices in your chicken and sometimes it gets a bit paste-y. Just try and get as much of the paste on the chicken and grill it normally.