Skip buying premade dry rubs and make this simple and healthy, but also delicious rub for smoked chicken thighs (or any chicken really). This chicken rub is smokey, savory, with a hint of sweetness and a spicy kick that you can control! This spice rub can be used on pork as well, as the flavors will enhance pork or chicken.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's so easy!- Preparing this BBQ rub is a breeze! With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it's a recipe that anyone can make in no time at all.
- No additives and preservative-free - This dry rub is made from scratch, giving you full control over the ingredients. No hidden additives or preservatives - just clean, flavorful spices.
- Makes the perfect BBQ rub - This rub isn't just for one specific dish. It’s perfect for all smoked and grilled recipes! Paired with whatever flavor wood chips or pellets you use on your pellet grill or smoker, it adds so much flavor to your dish. It's truly the only all-purpose poultry rub recipe you'll ever need.
- Delicious Smoky flavor - This rub has a delicious smoky flavor that is perfect for backyard grilling.
- Flavorful Poultry and Pork - Whether it's chicken or pork you're preparing, this BBQ rub will take it to the next level with a secret ingredient that will enhance whatever it is you're grilling.
Ingredients Needed
Ingredient Notes
- coconut sugar - this is a great paleo alternative to brown sugar, but feel free to use brown sugar as well!
- paprika - this adds that delicious smokey flavor to this rub.
- cayenne pepper - this is optional. Add more or less depending on how much of a kick you would like your rub to have.
- allspice - the secret ingredient! Allspice adds such a great flavor profile to the slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and smokey spices.
How To Make This Recipe
Making this smokey and sweet rub is so easy.
- Measure all of the ingredients out and mix in a small bowl. Then add all the ingredients to a jar and seal until you are ready to use.
Before using, pat your chicken dry with a paper towel, and then use a liberal amount of rub for your chicken.
Use the recipe below to serve up your juicy flavorful chicken!
Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe
These are the absolutely best Smoked Chicken Thighs is my favorite for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner. You can also use this chicken rub on these Traeger Smoked Chicken Wings and toss with your favorite wing sauce (like buffalo sauce or your favorite BBQ sauce) or eat them as is!
This is also a great recipe to use when smoking a whole chicken, chicken legs, or chicken breasts.
How to Store This Recipe
If you do not use all of the dry rub right away, you can place leftover rub in an airtight container. I tend to use a mason jar, it helps ensure flavors do not creep in and affect the flavor of the dry rub.
You can store the seasoning blend for about 6 months to a year. Just keep the mixture in a cool dry place.
Also, it probably goes without saying but be sure not to store excess sub that has been contaminated with raw chicken, that's just asking for trouble.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Add in a little mustard powder for added flavor.
- You can use this dry rub on white meat, dark meat, or a mix. I love skin-on chicken thighs with this rub.
- Let your chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after you remove from the cooker. This will help lock in the juices. That way the first bite is incredible.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165 degrees internally. That way you get delicious chicken that doesn't overcook. Use an internal meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Cooking on apple wood or cherry wood will compliment the spices in this rub.
- Cooking on grill grates helps to insure the chicken a smokier flavor as it infuses the smoke during the cooking process.
Favorite Sides To Serve With Chicken
Making everything on the grill just saves so much time, energy, and dishes! These are some of my favorite sides to serve up alongside chicken recipes or any other meat cut you're grilling:
Smoked Vegetables
Traeger Asparagus
Traeger Baked Potatoes
Smoked Peaches - trust me on this one!
Smoked Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
FAQs
Use an internal meat thermometer and ensure the chicken reaches 165 degrees F. I find that thigh meat is more tender and delicious when cooked even a bit longer.
Make sure when you are checking the internal temperature of the chicken you do not touch the bone. If you do touch the bone it will give you a false reading. Find the thickest part of the chicken and probe into the meat only.
Absolutely! You can definitely grill or smoke your chicken with this dry rub. You can even use it in an air fryer recipe if you want.
Personally, I love how this rub helps you to achieve crispy skin on the chicken so I prefer to leave the skin on. I will finish the chicken off at a higher temperature to create a crispy chicken skin on the outside instead of a rubbery skin. Follow the cooking directions for these Smoked Chicken Thighs and you will be golden!
You definitely can! For boneless skinless thighs and chicken breasts I also like to just lightly coat them in olive oil or avocado oil and then lightly season. We'll then finish them off with about 5 minutes left to cook with my favorite barbecue sauce. You can find a directions for this method in this Traeger Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe.
More Grilling Recipes You'll Love
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📖 Recipe
Chicken Dry Rub
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper optional
- ½ tsp allspice
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the rub ingredients to a small bowl or mason jar and combine.
- Store this chicken rub in a cool, dry place in an airtight container for 6-12 months.
Notes
- coconut sugar - this is a great paleo alternative to brown sugar, but feel free to use brown sugar as well!
- paprika - this adds that delicious smokey flavor to this rub.
- cayenne pepper - this is optional. Add more or less depending on how much of a kick you would like your rub to have.
- allspice - the secret ingredient! Allspice adds such a great flavor profile to the slightly sweet, slightly spicy, and smokey spices
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