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Home » Recipes » Dry Rubs & Seasonings

Smoked Paprika Rub for Chicken

Published: Sep 9, 2021 · Modified: Aug 18, 2023 by Nicole B.

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total time5 minutes minutes

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.

Smoked paprika rub in a glass jar.
Jump to:
  • Recipe ingredients and notes:
  • How to make it:
  • What should I use this dry rub on?
  • How to use it:
  • Frequently asked questions:
  • More delicious dry rubs for chicken:
  • Full Printable Recipe
  • Comments

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.

Smoked paprika chicken dry rub ingredients in a glass bowl.
You need onion powder, dried oregano, smoked hot paprika, ground allspice, salt and garlic powder to make the spice rub.

How to make it:

  • Whisk all ingredients together until well combined.
Smoked paprika chicken rub being whisked in a glass bowl.

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.)

Two chicken leg quarters on a baking sheet.

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

Spice-rubbed chicken leg quarters on a baking sheet.

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).

Raw spice-rubbed chicken leg quarters on a wire rack.

Frequently asked questions:

How long should the dry rub sit on the chicken?

There is no need to let the chicken sit. As soon as you've applied the dry rub, pop the chicken in the oven.

Can I set the chicken directly on the baking sheet?

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.

How spicy is this dry rub?

This rub has a mild to medium level of spiciness from the hot smoked paprika.

More delicious dry rubs for chicken:

  • Homemade seasoning salt in a jar.
    Homemade Seasoning Salt (sugar-free)
    Cook Time5 Minutes
  • Mediterranean seasoning in a jar.
    Mediterranean Spice Rub for Chicken
    Cook Time5 Minutes
  • Sumac seasoning in a jar.
    Sumac Dry Rub for Chicken
    Cook Time5 Minutes
  • Chicken wing dry rub being stirred in a bowl.
    Chicken Wing Dry Rub (no sugar)
    Cook Time55 Minutes

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Full Printable Recipe

Smoked paprika rub in a glass jar.

Smoked Paprika Rub for Chicken

The Spice Train
This sugar-free smoked paprika rub adds deliciously bold and spicy flavors to skin-on chicken cuts.
4.59 from 12 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Condiment, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 14
Calories (estimated) 5 kcal

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:

*As always, I recommend to get the spices from a dedicated spice shop to ensure freshness and quality.

Nutrition Information (Estimated):

Calories: 5kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.2gSodium: 167mgPotassium: 30mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 0.2gCalcium: 5mg

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.

Keywords: dry rub for chicken, smoked paprika rub for chicken, spice rub for chicken

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