The best DIY chicken rub

This is really the best DIY Chicken Rub. It consists of an irresistible blend of spices and is prepared in just 5 minutes. Perfect for adding so much flavor to any chicken cut!

Side view of a jar of chicken spice mix.

Homemade Dry Grater for Chicken

Skip the store-bought dry grater at your next chicken meal. This is the best chicken rub, and it’s ready right at home in 5 minutes!

Dry rub is a great thing to always have on hand. It lasts forever and is an easy way to add tons of flavor to your chicken before you cook it.

I love making a large batch of these homemade chicken dry rubs and keeping it for myself, or pouring it into jars and giving to friends and family for the holidays.

Using a spoon, rub the head of a bowl of chicken dry in the center.

What is chicken rub made of?

Italian spice: Italian seasonings are the perfect, versatile base for this chicken rub recipe. Classic Italian spices consist of basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and sometimes marjoram.
Salt and pepper: I use fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your taste.
Onion Powder and Turmeric Powder: A little onion powder and turmeric take this spice mix to the next level and round off the taste.
Red Pepper Flakes: These are optional but a great addition if you love a little warmth!

Rub the top of various bowls with spices, seasonings.

How to make chicken dry grater

This versatile and flavorful chicken rub recipe takes just minutes to make and is made with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen!

Combine: Put all the spices in a glass and mix well.
Save or give away: Cover and store in your pantry, or tie the jar up with ribbon and gift with your favorite holiday grilling supplies!

Mix all the spices separately in a bowl to dry them.

How to use chicken spice rub

There are metric tons There are many delicious ways you can use this chicken rub seasoning. Here are some of my favorite methods:

And the options don’t stop at the chicken! This spice blend is great for oven-roasted veggies, air fryer broccoli, roast potatoes, and more!

Add more flavor!

Do you want to double the taste? Try one of my 5 delicious and freezer-safe chicken marinades!

Close-up of a jar of rubbing chicken meat with a measuring spoon.

Do you use oil to dry rub chicken?

Sometime yes. The oil should by no means be added to the seasoning for storage, but in most recipes you will coat the chicken in oil before rubbing the seasoning.

The oil not only moisturizes the chicken, but also allows the seasonings to stick.

How long should dry rub be left on chicken?

Depends on. If you are short on time, you can rub the chicken with the dry rub and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. This is the minimum time I recommend. If you allow a little more time, you can let it marinate in the fridge for 1 to 4 hours.

For best results, I recommend letting the chicken sit with the spices for about 4 hours. This gives all the flavor enough time to soak into the meat before you cook it.

a hand touching a bowl of the best chicken rub.

tips and hints

Mix well. We want all of the flavors in the spice mix to be well distributed.
Pat the chicken dry. Most recipes recommend this, but in general you should gently pat your chicken dry with paper towels before adding any oil or seasoning. Removing excess moisture creates a deliciously crispy outside.
Plan on 1-2 tablespoons dry grater per pound of chicken you cook. This is a general rule; Feel free to adjust the quantity according to your needs!
If you prepare meat with skin, Rub the spices under the skin so they soak into the meat.
Play with flavors. Feel free to play with the amount of ingredients or add other spices that you like. You really can’t go wrong there!

A spoonful of chicken dry grater is scooped out of a jar.

How to store it

This homemade chicken rub will keep in an airtight container or ziplock bag in your pantry for at least 6 months. I love making a large batch of these to have on hand whenever I need them.