Best Chicken Rubs: Our Top 3 Recommendations
Are you looking for the best rub for chicken? These three recommendations differ clearly in flavor and each suits a different type of eater. Compare mild, spicy, and sweet-spicy, and choose the BBQ rub that fits your chicken dish.
This is our selection of three rubs from our own range, not an independent ranking or a universal winner. The best choice depends on your taste and chicken dish.
The best chicken rubs at a glance
Mild, medium and hot are relative flavour descriptions within this selection. The heat of your finished dish also depends on the amount of rub, portion size and personal sensitivity. Mild does not automatically mean suitable for everyone.
| Rub | Flavor | Best choice for | Heat level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaican Jerk | Spicy, aromatic and hot | Lovers of Caribbean flavors | Spicy |
| Carolina Gold | Mild, slightly sweet and mustardy | Those who prefer milder flavours | Mild |
| Korean BBQ Rub | Sweet-spicy, savory and fruity | Lovers of umami | Medium |
1. Jamaican Jerk
Jamaican Jerk BBQ Rub combines allspice, cinnamon, cloves, and Scotch Bonnet pepper. This is the most powerful choice of the three.
- Choose this rub if: you are looking for distinct heat and spicy depth.
- Pairs well with: chicken thighs, drumsticks, and whole chicken.
2. Carolina Gold
Carolina Gold Mustard BBQ Rub is mild, slightly sweet, and mustardy. An accessible choice when you want flavor without pronounced heat.
- Choose this rub if: you want mild mustard flavour.
- Pairs well with: chicken breast, wings, and whole chicken.
3. Korean BBQ Rub
Korean BBQ Rub brings together sweet-spicy warmth, ginger, and sesame. The savory flavor works well with crispy-prepared chicken.
- Choose this rub if: you are looking for umami and sweet-spicy warmth.
- Pairs well with: chicken wings and chicken thighs.
How do you use BBQ rub on chicken?
If needed, pat chicken dry with kitchen paper and discard it straight away. Do not wash raw chicken. Distribute the chosen rub evenly and follow the package dosage and any resting instructions. Check the ingredients before adding extra salt. Keep seasoned chicken covered in the refrigerator at 4°C or below until cooking. Keep hands, utensils and dishes used for raw chicken separate from cooked food.
Cook chicken indirectly or over moderate heat. A brief direct finish for colour is optional and does not guarantee crisp skin. Avoid burning the spices or allowing flare-ups. Breasts, thighs, wings and whole birds need different cooking times. USDA specifies at least 74°C for chicken before removal from the heat. Check several pieces with a clean food thermometer in the thickest meat without touching bone. For a whole bird, check the thickest breast and the innermost thigh and wing areas. Do not rely only on colour, time or predicted carry-over cooking.
Which of the three should you choose?
Choose Carolina Gold for mild, Jamaican Jerk for spicy and aromatic, or Korean BBQ Rub for sweet-spicy and savory. If you want to try multiple flavors side-by-side, you can put together three 100-gram pouches of your choice with the Starter Pack.
Try three flavors for chicken
Assemble your own combination with three 100-gram BBQ rubs.
View the Starter Pack View all chicken rubs