How to Apply Dry Rub to Chicken

Co-authored by Alex Hong and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: June 23, 2024 Fact Checked

Dry rubs are mixtures of herbs and spices that you can use to season any kind of meat. If you want to use a dry rub on your chicken, you can easily apply it right before you cook or far in advance. When you’re ready to put the rub on your chicken, work the spices into the meat by hand so you’re able to infuse the flavors. There are many types of dry rubs you can try, so pick one that has a taste you like!

Ingredients

All-Purpose Dry Rub

¼ cup (27 g) of paprika
3 tablespoons (21 g) of ground black pepper
3 tablespoons (20 g) of granulated garlic
3 tablespoons (20 g) of onion powder
2 tablespoons (6 g) of dried oregano
2 tablespoons (6 g) of dried thyme leaves
1 tablespoon (17 g) of kosher salt
2 teaspoons (3 g) of coriander
1 teaspoon (2 g) of cayenne pepper

Sweet and Spicy Dry Rub

1 cup (220 g) of brown sugar
½ cup (136 g) of kosher salt
4 tablespoons (27 g) of smoked paprika
2 tablespoons (14 g) of coarse black pepper
½ tablespoon (3 g) of cumin
½ tablespoon (5 g) of onion powder
½ tablespoon (5 g) of garlic powder
1 teaspoon (2 g) of cayenne pepper

Herbal Dry Rub

2 tablespoons (27 g) of brown sugar
2 tablespoons (34 g) of sea salt
2 tablespoons (6 g) of dried oregano
2 tablespoons (6 g) of dried basil
2 tablespoons (6 g) of dried parsley

Lemon Pepper Rub

1 tablespoon (7 g) of lemon pepper
1 teaspoon (6 g) of salt
½ teaspoon (2 g) of garlic powder
½ teaspoon (2 g) of onion powder
½ teaspoon (0.3 g) of dried basil
½ teaspoon (0.3 g) of dried oregano
½ teaspoon (0.3 g) of dried parsley
½ teaspoon (1 g) of paprika

Spicy Dry Rub

3 teaspoons (7 g) of paprika
2 teaspoons (2 g) of dried thyme
2 teaspoons (8 g) of garlic powder
2 teaspoons (12 g) of salt
1 teaspoon (8 g) of onion powder
1 teaspoon (2 g) of black pepper

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Seasoning Your Chicken

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Dry rub doesn’t tenderize the meat, so it’s okay to apply it to your chicken any length of time before you decide to cook it. Choose a time to season your chicken when it’s the most convenient for you, whether that’s a week before or the day you plan on cooking.^{[1]
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2
Pat your chicken dry with paper towels. Make sure the chicken you’re using is completely defrosted before you put your dry rub on it. Take the chicken you plan on seasoning with the dry rub and set it inside a baking pan so you don’t spread any bacteria. Blot paper towels on each side of the chicken to absorb some of the excess juices and contaminants on its surface. Continue patting all sides of the chicken until the paper towels look clean after you blot them.^{[2]
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- Always wash your hands after you handle raw chicken since it contains bacteria that could lead to food poisoning.
Warning: Don’t rinse or wash chicken in your sink before you cook it since you could spread bacteria to other foods, utensils, or surfaces in your kitchen.

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3
Drizzle a light layer of olive oil onto the chicken if you want the rub to stick better. Olive oil helps the dry rub adhere to the meat so it’s less likely to fall off while you’re cooking it. Put a coin-sized amount of olive oil on the chicken and spread it evenly across the sides of the chicken. Only use a small amount of olive oil, or else the dry rub will run off the meat and you’ll lose the flavor.^{[3]
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- You don’t need to use olive oil with your dry rub if you don’t want to.
- If you don’t have olive oil, you can use any vegetable oil to help the dry rub stick.
4
Pour an even layer of the dry rub on each side of the chicken. Use your nondominant hand to scoop the dry rub out from its container and put it directly onto the chicken. You can use as much or as little dry rub as you want, but usually 1 tablespoon (8 g) of dry rub for every 1 pound (450 g) of meat you’re cooking. Make sure you coat all sides of the chicken so the dry rub covers the entire piece of meat.^{[4]
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- Avoid touching the chicken with the spoon you use to scoop if you want to save the dry rub later. Otherwise, you’ll contaminate the dry rub and you’ll need to throw it away.
5
Work the rub into the chicken with your dominant hand. Apply pressure on the chick with your dominant hand and rub the spices into the meat with a kneading motion. Work with the grain of the meat so the dry rub sticks to all of the hard to reach areas on the chicken. Continue rubbing the spices into all sides of the meat until it’s completely coated.^{[5]
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- Always try to keep one of your hands clean so you don’t accidentally contaminate other surfaces in your kitchen with bacteria.
- You can leave the rub in a ¹⁄₈ in (0.32 cm) crust on the meat, which will help lock in moisture so your chicken tastes juicier.
6
Store the chicken in a container with a lid if you don’t plan on cooking it right away. If you don’t plan on cooking your chicken right away, set it in a container that has an airtight lid so bacteria can’t cross-contaminate other items. Put the seasoned chicken in your fridge and use it in about 1-2 days so the meat doesn’t spoil.^{[6]
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- You can also use resealable plastic bags to store your chicken.
- Avoid wrapping your chicken in plastic wrap, since the wrapping could remove some of the rub from the meat.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Choosing a Dry Rub

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1
Use an all-purpose rub in any meal where you want flavorful chicken. An all-purpose rub combines savory and spicy flavors to make a rub that works for any type of cuisine. If you want to make your own, try combining some woody herbs like paprika, black pepper, garlic and onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, coriander, and cayenne pepper. Whisk the dry rub together until it’s thoroughly combined before storing it in an airtight container.^{[7]
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- You can buy premixed all-purpose rub from your local supermarket or grilling specialty stores.
Barbecued chicken usually has a sweet tang, so use brown sugar as the base for your rub. Mix in salt, paprika, pepper, cumin, onion and garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to give your rub more depth of flavor. Adjust the ratios of the rub you’re making so it’s as sweet or tangy as you want it.^{[8]
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Tip: Try mixing in spices with store-bought rubs so you can change the flavor to your liking.
3
Try an herbal dry rub if you want a simple, fresh taste. Dried herbs work perfectly for seasoning chicken, especially if you want something that highlights the flavor of the meat. Combine equal parts brown sugar, salt, oregano, dried basil, and dried parsley in a mixing bowl and whisk them together to form your rub. Keep the rub in an airtight container to save it for use later.^{[9]
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- Herbal dry rubs work great for Italian dishes.
Lemon pepper adds hints of sour and spice to your chicken, and it pairs well with vegetables. Combine lemon pepper, salt, garlic and onion powder, basil, oregano, parsley, and paprika in a bowl and use a whisk to combine them. Keep the spices in an airtight jar or container until you plan on using it.^{[10]
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5
Season your chicken with a spicy dry rub if you want it to have a little kick. Mix together paprika, thyme, powder, salt, onion powder, and black pepper in a bowl with a whisk until they’re thoroughly combined. A spicy dry rub is perfect if you want to make chicken wings or tacos. ^{[11]
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- Use only a little dry rub at first so you don’t make your chicken too spicy.

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Question

How long should a dry rub sit on the chicken?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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There’s no set rule, but it’s a good idea to cook the chicken as soon as possible after applying the rub. Otherwise, it might get mushy and slide off, or you could lose some of the flavor. Try to leave it on for no more than 4 hours before you start cooking.

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Can you use a dry rub as a seasoning?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Yes! In fact, this is the main purpose of a dry rub. Follow a recipe or rub on the seasonings of your choice to give your chicken a nice flavor.

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Do you put dry rub on wings before or after cooking them?

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Put the rub on before you cook the wings. This will help the flavor of the spices penetrate the meat more easily.

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Tips

Experiment with mixing your own flavors for dry rubs until you find a combination and ratio of ingredients you like.

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Warnings

Always wash your hands after you handle chicken since you could spread harmful bacteria.^{[12]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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Make sure your chicken is cooked to at least 165 °F (74 °C) or else it’s unsafe to eat.^{[13]
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Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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