“Hey, let’s grill something tonight!” I think that phrase usually comes out of my husband’s mouth at about 5:30pm many a Saturday night. That’s usually information I could’ve used about 6-8 hours ago. I mean, I have to thaw the meat and marinate it for hours…you know the drill, right?! Well, if you get this question with little time to spare and no imminent dinner plans, have we got a solution for you!
The Rub
Dry rubs are a great way to flavor meat in a short amount of time. This Savory Grilled Chicken Rub is no exception. My sister-in-law is actually the brains behind this one. She packed it with spices most everyone keeps in their pantry and it is ready to go in a few short minutes. Tonight, we’re coating some bone-in chicken thighs in this rub, but feel free to use whatever chicken cuts you have on hand. Drumsticks, breasts, wings, you name it. This savory chicken rub will not disappoint.
Before we go any further, let’s talk about grilling chicken for quick minute. Grilled chicken often gets a bad rap for being dry. Unfortunately, that’s usually because it’s overcooked. Chicken can be tough to grill because you want to make sure it is truly done. We don’t want to sicken our entire family! Enter the meat thermometer. This guy is super handy and will take the guesswork out of grilling chicken. Try this one, we think you’ll like it. Now back to the rub!
Did we mention this rub makes grilling up some grub super fast? No marinades, no hours waiting, and best of all, no mess from the marinade. Just throw together a few spices, coat your chicken cuts of choice, grill ‘em up and chow down! So open up your spice cabinet and let’s make this quick and easy Savory Grilled Chicken Rub!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Salt: Of course! We often go for sea salt around here, but grab whatever you’ve got.
- Smoked paprika: I remember my grandma always told me that paprika was just for color and didn’t really have a taste. She was probably right, but not with the smoked variety. This stuff adds a delightful red color plus a subtle smoky/earthiness.
- Onion and garlic powder: Kinda like salt, you can’t make a spice blend without them.
- White and black pepper: Wait, you didn’t know there was such a thing as white pepper? Black pepper and white pepper actually are the same fruit from the pepper plant, but are just processed differently, thus their tastes are quite different. Don’t have white pepper? No worries, just use a little more black pepper. We won’t judge!
- Cayenne: That spicy redhead that adds just a little kick. Can’t take the heat? Leave it out or just add a small pinch—but make sure to wash your hands afterwards!
- Turmeric: Golden, slightly spicy, and oh-so delicious. This stuff is great for your health and to add depth to our savory grilled chicken rub.
Got all of your ingredients? Great! I know you’re probably short on time, so let’s get grilling!
Savory Grilled Chicken Rub
Ingredients
- 4 lb bone-in chicken thighs or other desired chicken cuts
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- pinch cayenne
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
Instructions
- Coat chicken on both sides with rub. Grill approximately 12-15 minutes per side over medium heat, depending on thickness of chicken thighs, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit with a meat thermometer.