BBQ Chicken Rub

Name: BBQ Chicken Rub
Prep time: 5 min
Yield: about 1 cup
Ingredients: 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup paprika; 2 tbsp kosher salt; 2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbsp cayenne pepper; 2 tbsp garlic powder; 2 tbsp onion powder; 1 tbsp dried thyme

A sweet-and-smoky barbecue rub for chicken — brown sugar and paprika for color and caramelization, cayenne for a low background heat, garlic and onion for savory depth.

Yield

about 1 cup

Prep

5 min

Condiment American chicken poultry rub dry rub spice blend bbq

Ingredients

about 1 cup

1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup paprika
2 tbsp kosher salt
2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp dried thyme

Method

1
Combine and store
Whisk everything together until evenly combined, breaking up any brown sugar lumps so it stores and applies evenly. Keep in an airtight jar; best within a few months while the spices stay bright.

Notes

A tablespoon of cayenne gives a steady background warmth rather than sharp heat; drop it to a teaspoon for a mild rub, or push it further if you want bite. Brown sugar means this will caramelize and can scorch over direct high heat — better suited to indirect cooking or smoking, or a lower grill temp.