Dry Rub for Chicken Legs

This dry rub for chicken legs make the perfect seasoning for chicken with crispy skin cooked on a grill, smoker, oven, or an air fryer.

This versatile seasoning blend effortlessly enhances the flavor of chicken legs prepared using a variety of cooking methods.

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Ingredients Needed for a Batch of this Dry Rub

In a small bowl combine the following dry rub ingredients to create the perfect rub with the best flavor. 

• Garlic Powder– I love the flavor this ingredient brings to the crispy chicken skin. Sometimes I double this ingredient for my spice rub when making a large batch for garlic lovers like myself. 
• Onion Powder– This is one of my favorite ways to add a bit of sweetness to smoked chicken legs without using sugar.
• Kosher Salt– Salt enhances and brings out the other flavors in these seriously mouthwatering chicken legs. 
• Black Pepper– Black pepper adds a delightful kick of heat and a subtle earthy note to the overall flavor profile. It balances out the sweetness of the onion powder and complements the savory depth of the garlic powder.
• Paprika– Paprika powder not only contributes a vibrant red hue to your spice rub but also imparts a rich, smoky, and slightly sweet flavor that beautifully harmonizes with the other seasonings. It adds depth and complexity to this main course, making it even more irresistible.

This blend of seasonings comes together to create a simple dry rub that will enhance the flavor of dark meat chicken. 

How to Make Chicken Legs in the Oven

Step 1: Mix the Seasonings

Begin by preparing the dry rub. Combine all the seasonings in a small bowl, ensuring they are evenly mixed and ready for application.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Remove the chicken drumsticks from their packaging. Use a paper towel to pat them dry, removing any excess moisture to help the dry rub adhere better.

Step 3: Arrange the Chicken

Place the drumsticks in a large bowl or arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. This will make it easier to coat them evenly with butter and seasoning.

Step 4: Add Butter and Seasoning

Pour melted butter over the chicken drumsticks, coating each piece lightly. Sprinkle the dry rub over the chicken, ensuring each drumstick gets a good initial coating of the seasoning.

Step 5: Start Cooking

Place the drumsticks on a baking rack set over a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.

Step 6: Flip and Season Midway

About 25 minutes into baking, flip the drumsticks over. At this point, sprinkle additional seasoning on the other side to ensure even flavor distribution.

Step 7: Check for Doneness

Once the chicken has reached the proper internal temperature and is golden brown with crispy skin, remove it from the oven. Allow the drumsticks to rest for a few minutes before serving.

How to Make a Chicken Drumsticks Recipe for the Grill 

Preheat your grill to 400 degrees. Prepare the homemade BBQ chicken rub and pat the chicken dry.

Apply butter to both sides of the chicken and then sprinkle the rub on top. When the grill temperature has reached 400 degrees, add the pieces of chicken to the grill grates. 

Allow to cook for a total of 35 minutes, turning every 5 minutes or so to ensure even cooking.

For the best BBQ chicken, make sure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees before removing it from the grill.

How to Make This Chicken Leg Recipe in a Pellet Smoker

• If you are looking for a great recipe for your Traeger pellet grill, this dry rub for chicken legs is it.
• This method requires a lower temperature than the oven, so preheat your smoker to 225 degrees. 
• The chicken should take about 90 minutes to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. 
• For extra crispy chicken with a juicy center, turn the temperature of the grill up when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees. 
• Cook the chicken on high heat for a few minutes and then flip to get a nice crispy outer layer. 

How to Make Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer

• Start by preheating the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is heating up, take your chicken legs and pat them dry using a paper towel.
• Place them into a spacious bowl. 
• This air fryer recipe for chicken legs comes together by drying off the chicken and then coating it with butter.
• When you drizzle the chicken legs with butter, immediately sprinkle the dry rub for chicken legs onto chicken then add it to your air fryer basket or racks.
• Be sure to arrange them in a single layer. 
• Cook the chicken legs in an air fryer for 10 minutes.
• After the initial 10 minutes, turn them over using tongs or a spatula, and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes. 
• These delicious air fryer chicken legs are done when their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If you want to learn how to reheat chicken in an air fryer be sure to check out this recipe with lots of tips on how to reheat chicken legs in the air fryer.

Variations on this Dry Rub for Chicken Legs

With just a few minor changes to this spice mix, you can create your own dry rub for a variety of chicken recipes.

Here are some easy ways to make new recipes to create the best dry rub chicken legs no matter which method you choose to cook them.

• Make it Sweet: Add in brown sugar to create a sweet and smoky flavor. 
• BBQ Rub: Add a teaspoon or two of your favorite BBQ sauce to infuse your dry rub with a tangy and savory kick. Use a hot barbecue sauce to easily add a delicious kick to your barbecue chicken. 
• Heat It Up: If you like it spicy, sprinkle in a tbsp chili powder, cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes for an extra fiery punch.
• Citrus Twist: Zest some lemon or orange peel into your dry rub mix for a refreshing citrusy twist that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken.
• Not a fan of Butter? You can use olive oil or vegetable oil to help the seasonings stick to the chicken if you prefer a dairy free version of this dry rub for chicken legs.
• Not a fan of Chicken Legs? Use your favorite cut of chicken such as chicken breasts, chicken wings, chicken thighs, chicken leg quarters, or even a whole chicken. 

You can use this mouth-watering seasoning mix to deliver amazing flavor on the grill, a gas or charcoal grill, electric smokers, in the oven, and even in an air fryer. 

Dry Rub for Chicken Legs Storage & Serving Ideas

This recipe pairs well with a variety of everyone’s favorite side dishes such as this Easy Southern Potato Salad Recipe and these Easy Baked Beans.

If you are following a low carb diet and want your side dishes to be keto-friendly, serve this dish with these Easy Baked Keto Radishes. 

Be sure to store any prepared chicken leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days inside the refrigerator.

To store the dry rub for chicken legs, you can keep this at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

FAQS About Dry Rub for Chicken

How long should dry rub sit on chicken?

For the best flavor, allow the dry rub to sit on the chicken for at least 15 minutes, and ideally up to 2 hours before cooking. If you can wait at least an hour, the spices will have more time to infuse the chicken with flavor.

How do you make dry rub stick to chicken?

To ensure the dry rub adheres to the chicken, start by patting the chicken dry with a paper towel. Then, lightly coat the surface of the meat with olive oil, mustard, or mayonnaise. Olive oil is a great option due to its ability to withstand high cooking temperatures.

Do you marinate chicken in dry rub?

No, dry rubs and marinades are used differently. A marinade is liquid-based and helps to tenderize the meat, while a dry rub is a blend of seasonings that enhances flavor without tenderizing. Use a dry rub if tenderness isn’t a concern, and a marinade if it is.

What happens if you leave dry rub on too long?

Leaving a dry rub on the meat overnight is fine, but be cautious of the salt content, as it may draw moisture out of the meat over extended periods. If you’re short on time, you can cook the meat immediately after applying the rub without any issues.

Should you use oil with dry rub?

You can apply a dry rub directly to the meat by massaging it in, but for better adhesion, it’s helpful to lightly coat the surface with oil first. Start by patting the meat dry with paper towels, then add a thin layer of oil before generously applying the dry rub.

Should I pat chicken dry before seasoning?

Yes, always pat your chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning. Removing excess moisture ensures the seasoning adheres better and stays in place, giving your chicken maximum flavor. If the surface is too wet, the seasoning may slide off during cooking.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

The next time you are looking for a delicious chicken recipe to make consider trying one of these tempting options.

These recipes are sure to satisfy your chicken cravings and add variety to your menu.

• Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Salad
• Instant Pot recipes with Frozen Chicken
• Crispy Low Carb Fried Chicken Without Pork Rinds
• Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
• Easy Chicken Drumstick Soup
• Creamy Parmesan Tuscan Chicken Recipe – One Pan Meal

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