How to Make Barbeque Chicken Rub
The culinary definition of a rub is a combination of spices and herbs that are applied to meat, poultry or other items before cooking. Rubs are applied in a thick layer to cover the entire surface of the food item, rather than just lightly sprinkled on as a seasoning. They give a much deeper flavor to foods that can tend to be bland, such as barbecued chicken. When chicken is exposed to high heat on the grill, it risks drying out and becoming flavorless. A basic barbecue chicken rub adds extra flavor to counteract any cooking mishaps. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup paprika
- 3 tbsp. onion powder
- 1 tbsp. salt
- Medium mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Raw chicken pieces
- Spice jar or other airtight container
Instructions
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Pour 1/2 cup of white granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of paprika, 3 tbsp. of onion powder and 1 tbsp. of salt into a medium mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients together until the seasonings are evenly distributed.
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2
Place a small palmful of the rub directly onto your raw chicken pieces. Pat the rub gently into the chicken--the rub should thoroughly coat the entire surface of the chicken on all sides.
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3
Cook the chicken on an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan according to your recipe until the pieces are no longer pink on the side. Sprinkle a light layer of extra spice rub onto the chicken while it is still hot to add even more flavor.
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4
Transfer any leftover barbecue chicken rub into a spice jar or other airtight container. Keep the extra rub in a cool, dark place (such as a cabinet or pantry) for up to six months.
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Tips & Warnings
Customize the flavor of a basic barbecue chicken rub by adding 1 tsp. cayenne pepper or dried herbs such as basil or rosemary.
Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the rub to the chicken. If you spread the raw chicken juices from your hands onto other foods or surfaces, you risk transferring salmonella or other food-borne illnesses, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Always carefully supervise chicken that is coated in a barbecue rub while it is cooking because the sugar that helps darken the skin also can burn if applied to overly high heat for too long.
