Best Dry Rub For Chicken Wings
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This is the Best Dry Rub for Chicken Wings that makes extra crispy skin! It's a versatile spice blend that works for fried, grilled, smoked, and air fryer wings.
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Why You'll Love It!
- Easy Recipe: just mix the spices together and you're ready to grill!
- Simple Ingredients: find all of the ingredients in your local grocery store
- Perfect Spice Blend: a little sweet and not too spicy
If you're a huge wing fan, you're gonna love this dry rub for chicken wings which is great for Game Day or any day in between. It has the perfect spice level that creates crispy wings and a variety of other great recipes!
The blend of spices includes Texas Pete Dust which contains just the right amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper. Add brown sugar and cornstarch, and this spice mix produces dry rub wings that are extra crispy and loaded with flavor!
With simple steps and a great chicken wing rub, you can bake wings in the oven, smoke them on a pellet grill, or toss them in your air fryer basket. Perfect for parties, picnics and tailgating! Don't forget the blue cheese dip for dunking!
Ingredients
This favorite dry rub recipe has ingredients you probably already have in your pantry at home. The only seasoning you might need to purchase is Texas Pete Dust (ad) which can be found in your local grocery store or ordered online.
See recipe card for quantities.
- brown sugar - creates the sweetness and crunch
- cornstarch - ensures crispy chicken wings
- onion powder - a hint of onion flavor
- garlic powder - provides depth to this recipe
- dried oregano - a perfect compliment to chicken
- table salt - can use sea salt if preferred
- black pepper - adds a little zip
- dry mustard - balances out the flavor
- Texas Pete Dust - can substitute cayenne pepper if you like it hot!
Instructions
1 - To make this delicious chicken wing rub recipe, mix all ingredients in a small bowl until well blended.
2 - Using a paper towel, pat chicken until dry. Place pieces in a large bowl and toss with a little bit of olive oil (or another oil with a high smoke point like avocado or canola).
3 - Sprinkle rub mixture over chicken pieces in the large mixing bowl and rub it into the meat with your hands. Make sure to coat both sides.
Variations
There are several variations you can come up with to make amazing dry rubs for your backyard barbecue or tailgate. Here are a few ideas if you want to mix the spices up a little:
- Garlic Parmesan: garlic powder, grated parmesan cheese, dried thyme, salt
- Lemon Pepper: lemon zest, black pepper, garlic powder, salt
- Jerk Chicken: jerk seasoning, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt
- Sesame Ginger: ground ginger, sesame seeds, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt
- Ranch Seasoning: dried ranch seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt
Ways to Cook Chicken Wings
All ovens and air fryers cook differently. Adjust cooking times according to your equipment and check often to avoid burning.
- Air Fryer - arrange chicken in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook at 390 degrees for 8 minutes, then turn over and cook 8 minutes more.
- Fried - make crispy fried wings by following this easy recipe.
- Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings - add chicken wings to the grates of a pellet grill that have been prepped for smoking. Smoke 30 minutes at 225 degrees, then turn up the heat to 450 degrees and cook until wings have the crispiness you desire.
- Grilled - place chicken on the grill grates and cook at 400 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes or so until they reach 165 degrees internally.
Serve wings dusted with dry rub only, or toss in buffalo sauce to amp up the spicy flavors. Use your favorite dipping sauce, or choose blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing as a classic standard.
Recipe FAQS
First, dry the meat off with paper towels. Next, coat the wings with a high smoke point oil such as avocado or canola oil before dipping in the rub. This will help the dry rub stick to the meat.
Yes, the brown sugar crystalizes when fried and creates a crisp and crunchy skin. Watch it carefully because it can burn quickly. Check every 2 minutes while cooking to avoid scorching.
The internal temperature of chicken needs to reach 165 degrees F in order to be safe to eat. Some folks like to cook their wings until they reach 175 degrees internally so they'll be extra crispy.
More Meal Ideas
This recipe is a great dry rub for all types of poultry. Sprinkle it on chicken breasts before baking in the oven, or rub down a turkey breast before adding it to a dutch oven.
You can also use this seasoning for pork tenderloin before baking or smoking it on a grill. It's equally delicious on a slab of baby back ribs and makes great pulled pork for sandwiches!
Storage Tips
Keep dry rub seasoning in an airtight container (like a mason jar) for up to 1 month. Store in a cool, dry location for best results.
Serving Suggestions
What to serve with chicken wings made with dry rub? Make sure you have plenty of celery sticks and cream cheese corn dip nearby. Or, try these great options to create a delicious appetizer buffet:
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Meatballs - easy to make and quick as lightning!
- Cheesy Meatball Sliders - filled with baby bel cheese in the middle
- The Best Sausage Balls - made with sour cream so they're extra tender
- Traeger Smoked Chicken Legs - crispy chicken skin like no other
- Triple Dip Snack Board - a variety of dips and veggies on a snack board
- Pickled Green Tomatoes - sweet and spicy green tomato pickles
- Fire and Ice Pickles - made from store bought pickles with incredible crunch
- Smoked Queso Recipe - cozy up to the grill with this cheesy concoction
- Traeger Smoked Pork Butt (Pulled Pork) - the ultimate barbecue feast!
Recipe Card
Best Dry Rub for Chicken Wings
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- mixing bowl and spoon
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon Texas Pete Dust
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well blended.¼ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon ground mustard, ½ teaspoon Texas Pete Dust, 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- Using a paper towel, pat chicken until dry. Place pieces in a large bowl and toss with a tablespoon of olive oil or another oil with a high smoke point like avocado or canola.
- Sprinkle rub mixture over chicken pieces in the large mixing bowl and rub it into the meat with your hands. Make sure to coat both sides.
- Cook as directed in a recipe such as Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings.
- Store leftover rub in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in a cool, dry location for up to 1 month.
- If using a large amount of wings, you'll need to double or triple this recipe.
Notes
- Use this dry rub recipe to make Air Fryer Chicken Wings or Pan Fried Chicken Wings in a skillet!
- If you have a smoker, try this rub to make Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings that tastes amazing!
- Cayenne pepper can be substituted for Texas Pete Dust, but use less and adjust the spice level according to taste.
- Cornstarch is a secret ingredient that creates really crisp skin.
- Brown sugar crystalizes when fried and creates a crisp and crunchy skin. Watch it carefully because it can burn quickly. Check every 2 minutes while cooking to avoid scorching.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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This looks like a great rub and I can't wait to try it!
It will add so much flavor to your chicken!
This looks like a great rub that I can use for several different types of meat. Thanks for the recipe!