This smoked paprika rub for chicken is easily made in a matter of minutes and adds amazing flavor and texture to skin-on chicken cuts. It's bold, spicy and completely delicious.

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Recipe ingredients and notes:
The flavors in this seasoning are carefully balanced and quite similar to my cajun chicken marinade but while the marinade is best for skinless chicken, this rub is for skin-on chicken cuts. The spice rub adds not only amazing flavor but also great texture while letting the chicken skin crisp up nicely.
As always, I recommend to get the spices (especially the smoked hot paprika) from a dedicated spice shop to ensure freshness and quality.

How to make it:
- Whisk all ingredients together until well combined.

What should I use this dry rub on?
You can use this dry spice rub on any skin-on chicken cut, such as chicken leg quarters, whole chickens or skin-on chicken breasts and thighs.
I love to use it on chicken leg quarters. If you're not familiar with chicken leg quarters, these are a moist, flavorful and very budget-friendly cut of chicken. A chicken leg quarter consists of the thigh, drumstick and part of the back (and that's about a quarter of a chicken).
How to use it:
Step 1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Pat the chicken leg quarters dry using paper towels, then rub with a mild olive oil until well coated all around. (Use about 1 teaspoon olive oil per leg quarter.)

Step 2. Evenly rub the dry spice rub onto the chicken skin. (Use about ¾ teaspoon per chicken leg quarter.)

Step 3. Set a wire rack onto a large rimmed baking sheet, then transfer the chicken leg quarters onto the rack, skin side up. Roast until fully cooked (about 30 minutes).

Frequently asked questions:
There is no need to let the chicken sit. As soon as you've applied the dry rub, pop the chicken in the oven.
You can but I prefer to use a wire rack so the fat can drain and the chicken doesn't sit in a puddle of fat.
This rub has a mild to medium level of spiciness from the hot smoked paprika.
More delicious dry rubs for chicken:
- Homemade Seasoning Salt (sugar-free)5 Minutes
- Mediterranean Spice Rub for Chicken5 Minutes
- Sumac Dry Rub for Chicken5 Minutes
- Chicken Wing Dry Rub (no sugar)55 Minutes
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Full Printable Recipe

Smoked Paprika Rub for Chicken
Equipment:
- measuring spoons
- bowl
- whisk
- glass jar with lid
Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons smoked hot paprika*
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Transfer to a glass jar with a lid and store in a cool place, such as a kitchen cabinet.
Notes:
Nutrition Information (Estimated):
Nutrition values provided on this website are generated from a nutrition database and are estimates only. The accuracy of the nutrition information for any recipe on this website is not guaranteed. Nutrition values can vary quite a lot depending on which brands are used.
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