Barbecue Dry Rubbed Chicken

By Rachel // August 6, 2015 // 14 comments //

Moist and flavorful barbecue dry rubbed grilled chicken with fresh pineapple salsa. The perfect blend of sweet and spicy!

Moist and flavorful barbecue dry rubbed chicken with fresh pineapple salsa. Recipe from @bakedbyrachel

I’m been pretty obsessed with grilling this summer. We always grill in the summer months, it’s kind of an unwritten rule, right? And sometimes we grill year round… just as long as the grill isn’t buried under several feet of snow, of course! But the huge difference is that this year I’ve personally been doing a lot of grilling. I’ll be honest. Grills used to scare the crap out of me, at least from the starting it up standpoint. And of course it’s all from old memories… having to light the grill manually or weird things happening. Since we have a new grill, we have zero problems which meant it was time to get over my grilling fears.

If we could have the weather we had today year round, I’d be so happy. Beautiful sunny skies, constant breeze and a perfect 80 with barely any humidity. If that were an option, I’d personally grill year round. But, when winter rears it’s ugly head, I’m hanging up my tongs. Until then… I fully plan on enjoying grilling for another couple of months.

I promise I won’t be telling you to grill a pumpkin pie in November.

Moist and flavorful barbecue dry rubbed chicken with fresh pineapple salsa. Recipe from @bakedbyrachel

I’ve been a huge fan of barbecue chicken for-ever. Whether it’s coated in sauce and then grilled or sauce on the side for dipping later, I’m game. A few weeks back I had a sudden urge for grilled barbecue chicken. The results were truly disappointing because the grill literally melted all of the sauce off. Which, brings us to this recipe. I needed the flavor to stick, so the Mr suggested a dry rub. It worked beautifully!

This homemade barbecue dry rub is perfect for any of your favorite cuts of meat, but is especially amazing with chicken. Grilled chicken especially! It has the sweet and spiciness I crave from barbecue sauce but without the sauciness… the troublesome sauciness that will only melt off on the grill! No longer a problem!

Moist and flavorful grilled chicken, coated in a homemade barbecue dry rub. Pair with homemade pineapple salsa for the perfect combination of both sweet and spicy… and sweet and savory!

Moist and flavorful barbecue dry rubbed chicken with fresh pineapple salsa. Recipe from @bakedbyrachel

Print Recipe

Barbecue Dry Rubbed Chicken

Moist and flavorful grilled chicken, coated in a homemade sweet and spicy barbecue dry rub.

Prep Time5

Total Time20

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chicken, Dinner

Servings: 2 plus

Ingredients

1-2 Tb paprika
2 Tb light brown sugar
pinch red pepper flakes
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
2-3 chicken breasts roughly 1lb
Pineapple salsa

Instructions

Combine dry rub ingredients in a small bowl.
Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Pound down to an even thickness. Coat all sides well with dry rub mixture.
Preheat grill. Cooking over medium-low for 5-8 minutes per side, or until no longer pink.
Serve with pineapple salsa.

Notes

Recipe serves roughly 2-4.

*Dry rub is enough for roughly 1lb meat.

An original recipe from Baked by Rachel

14 Responses to “Barbecue Dry Rubbed Chicken”

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Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom — August 6, 2015 at 7:44 am

I agree– nothing beats sweet and salty combo. This rub looks great but I am really in love with that salsa!
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  Rachel — August 6, 2015 at 7:10 pm
  
  Thanks Kristen!
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Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes — August 6, 2015 at 7:54 am

Glad you’re getting over your grilling fears. We keep our grill under the porch, so we grill year round. Though when the weather is like this it happens more nights than not. Love this rub and salsa combo! Yum!
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  Rachel — August 6, 2015 at 7:10 pm
  
  I wish we had a covered area to grill, that’d be so much easier in the winter!
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Sarah — August 6, 2015 at 8:33 am

The chicken looks great! Do you have any suggestions for an alternative fruit salsa instead of pineapple? (Pineapple isn’t my favorite but I def want to try the chicken tonight!
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  Rachel — August 6, 2015 at 7:11 pm
  
  You could try a mango salsa instead. I hope you enjoy the chicken! :)
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allie @ Through Her Looking Glass — August 6, 2015 at 3:32 pm

This dry rub and salsa combination sounds divine. Love sweet and spicy. The weather is gorgeous here too. Oh wait, you’re not far. Just read your bio, I”m also in Southern NH. We might even be neighbors! :)
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  Rachel — August 6, 2015 at 7:12 pm
  
  Thanks so much Allie! Such a small world! Let’s hope this nice weather sticks around for a while ;)
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amanda — August 6, 2015 at 5:06 pm

This looks AMAZING!!!
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  Rachel — August 6, 2015 at 7:12 pm
  
  Thanks Amanda!
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Shashi at RunninSrilankan — August 6, 2015 at 5:27 pm

A breezy 80 degrees sounds perfect! It’s been a humid 90 degrees here and this gorgeous chicken sounds perfect! I simply LOVE the coloring of it! GORGEOUS – you are a grilling pro!
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  Rachel — August 6, 2015 at 7:13 pm
  
  Thanks so much Shashi! I hope the humidity takes a break sooner than later for you!
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Thalia @ butter and brioche — August 6, 2015 at 11:36 pm

I wish it was grilling weather here in Australia! This chicken looks so spiced and delicious.
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  Rachel — August 7, 2015 at 7:19 am
  
  Thanks Thalia! Hopefully it’s grilling season again before you know it! :)

Barbecue Dry Rubbed Chicken