Best Spice Rubbed Chicken Recipes

SPICE RUBBED FLATTENED ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Blend Spreadables butter with ginger, lemon zest, cumin, garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined; set aside.
• Place chicken, back-side-up, with neck facing away on a cutting board. Use a chef's knife or poultry shears to cut along each side of the backbone. Remove and discard backbone. Turn chicken over; turn legs drumsticks-inward and press on breastbone to flatten. Place chicken, cut-side-down in a roasting pan.
• Melt 3 tablespoons (45 mL) butter mixture; toss with potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and green onions. Scatter around chicken.
• Carefully loosen skin over breast meat, legs, and thighs using fingertips. Spread remaining butter mixture evenly under and over skin of chicken.
• Roast, basting occasionally, for 60 to 75 minutes (or until an instant-read thermometer registers 165 degrees F/74 degrees C in thigh and breast meat).
• Cover and rest for 10 minutes. Carve chicken into portions and serve with vegetables.

SPICY CHINESE FIVE-SPICE RUBBED CHICKEN WINGS WITH CREAMY CILANTRO DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F.
• If you have whole chicken wings, cut off wingtips and cut the wings in half at the joint. Discard wingtips or freeze to make stock at a later time.
• Place the wings in a large bowl. Sprinkle five-spice powder and cayenne on the wings, add a few pinches of salt and about 15 grinds of black pepper. Rub the mixture into all the wings until no more loose rub remains. Wash your hands.
• Line the wing pieces up on a baking sheet so the side of the wing that has the most skin is facing up. Roast until cooked through, browned and crispy, about 25 minutes. Serve hot with Creamy Cilantro Dipping Sauce.
• Combine ingredients in mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients to incorporate them fully and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

SPICE-RUBBED SPATCHCOCKED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Spatchcock the chicken by using poultry shears or kitchen scissors (or a sharp knife) to cut along one side of the backbone until the chicken opens. If you like you can cut along the other side of the backbone and remove it, or leave it attached to roast with the rest of the bird. Open up the bird and place it so it lies flat, breast side up. Press hard onto the center of the breast until you feel a pop, and the breast lies more or less flat.
• In a small bowl, mix together sugar, salt, chile powder, paprika, mustard powder, oregano, pepper, allspice and bay leaves. Smear the mixture all over the chicken. Lay chicken, skin side up, on a rimmed baking sheet (or plate) and refrigerate uncovered for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. If the chicken isn't on a rimmed baking sheet, transfer it to one. Roast chicken until the juices run clear when the thickest part of the thigh is pricked with a fork (an instant-read thermometer plunged into the thickest part of the breast will read 150), 40 to 50 minutes.
• Remove from oven, cover bird with foil and let rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve with lime or lemon wedges on the side.

SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the first eight ingredients. Sprinkle over both sides of chicken., On a lightly greased grill rack, grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until a thermometer reads 170°, 6-8 minutes on each side.

SIXTEEN-SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN BREAST WITH BLACK PEPPER VINEGAR SAUCE AND GREEN ONION SLAW

Steps:

• To make the dressing for the slaw, combine the green onions, vinegar, honey, chiles, mayonnaise, oil and salt and pepper to taste in a blender and blend until emulsified.
• Combine the cabbage, red onion and poppy seeds in a bowl, add the dressing, and stir until combined. Fold in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate while you grill the chicken or for up to 1 hour.
• Heat your grill to high.
• Stir together the ancho powder, pasilla powder, cumin, coriander, ginger, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, chile de arbol, 2 tablespoons salt, black pepper and cayenne in a small bowl.
• Brush both sides of the breasts with the oil and season with salt. Rub the top side of each breast with a few tablespoons of the rub and place on the grill, rub side down. Grill until golden brown and slightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the breasts over and continue grilling until just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes longer.
• Remove the chicken from the grill and drizzle with the black pepper vinegar sauce. Tent loosely with foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve the slaw on the side.
• Combine the vinegar, oil, mustard, honey, salt and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. The sauce can be made 1 day in advance, covered and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.

SPICE RUBBED ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the salt, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne and lemon zest in a bowl. Wash the chicken and pat very dry. Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken. Set the chicken on a plate and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours (to dry out the skin and promote crisp skin).
• When you are ready to cook, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Stuff the chicken with the lemon quarters, garlic and bay leaves. Arrange the onion slices to make a bed for the chicken in a large cast-iron skillet. Set the chicken on the onions and tuck the wings tips under the chicken's body. Brush the chicken all over with the melted butter.
• Roast the chicken, basting once halfway through with the pan juices, until the skin is crisp and golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh (do not touch bone) reads 165 degrees F, about 45 minutes. Let rest at least 10 minutes before carving.

SPANISH SPICE RUBBED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH PARSLEY-MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat your grill to high.
• Whisk together the paprika, cumin, mustard, fennel, pepper and salt in a small bowl.
• Brush the chicken with a few teaspoons of oil on both sides. Rub the breasts on the skin side with some of the rub and place on the grill, rub side down. Grill until golden brown and slightly charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the breasts over and continue cooking until just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter and immediately drizzle with some of the Parsley-Mint Sauce. Let rest 5 minutes. Serve with additional sauce on the side.
• Place the mint, parsley, garlic and serranos in a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. Add the honey and mustard and process until combined. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil until emulsified.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl and whisk in a few tablespoons of cold water to thin to a sauce-like consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

SUNNY'S EASY 1-2-3 SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN WITH CITRUS-HONEY GLAZE

Steps:

• For the chicken: Pat the chicken dry. With your hands, coat the chicken entirely with Sunny's 1-2-3 Spice Rub. Place in a plastic bag, press out the air, seal and refrigerate for at least 6 and up to 24 hours.
• Remove the chicken from the bag, place in one layer on a baking sheet or tray and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.
• Rest the chicken at room temperature for 2 hours. This is an important step, so you begin cooking the chicken when it is at room temperature. This allows the chicken to cook evenly throughout.
• Preheat a grill or oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the chicken over the indirect heat of the grill and close the lid. If using the oven, put the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment or nonstick aluminum foil and place on the center oven rack. Cook for 30 minutes.
• For the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the juice, honey and chili flakes if using.
• Open the grill or remove the chicken from the oven and brush each piece liberally with the glaze. Quickly close the grill lid or return the chicken to the oven and cook until done and the chicken juices run clear, about 15 more minutes. Allow the chicken to rest, tented with aluminum foil, until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F.
• In a bowl, mix together the cumin, paprika, pepper, chili powder and salt. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

SPICY CHINESE FIVE-SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN WINGS WITH CREAMY CILANTRO DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
• If you have whole chicken wings, cut off wingtips and cut the wings in half at the joint. Discard wingtips or freeze to make stock.
• Place the wings in a large bowl. Sprinkle five-spice powder and cayenne on the wings; add generous pinches of salt and about 15 grinds of black pepper. Rub the mixture into all the wings until no more loose rub remains.
• Line the wing pieces up on a baking sheet so the side of the wing that has the most skin is facing up. Roast until cooked through, browned and crispy, about 25 minutes. Serve hot with Creamy Cilantro Dipping Sauce.
• Combine ingredients in mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients to incorporate them fully and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

SPICE RUBBED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CUMIN SCENTED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix together 1 teaspoon of the salt, with the coriander and turmeric, rub spice mixture all over the chicken and season with black pepper. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs on both sides until golden brown, about 6 minutes total, and transfer to a plate. Reduce heat to medium, remove pan from heat and add the cumin seeds and cook until golden brown and aromatic, about 15 seconds. Add the scallions, return pan to heat and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Add the cabbage and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, toss together, and wilt slightly, about 2 minutes. Nestle seared chicken thighs into cabbage, place pan in oven and cook in until the chicken is cooked through and the cabbage is tender, about 10 to 12 minutes, the chicken should register 160 degrees on an instant-read meat thermometer. Sprinkle with the cilantro, lemon juice, and pepper. Serve hot.

SPICE RUBBED BEER CAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat a gas or charcoal grill with a lid big enough to accommodate the bird. Put a drip pan below the grates.
• Mix the ingredients for the Spice Rub until they are well blended. (This will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for 1 week.) Rub it all over the chicken, inside and out.
• Open the beer and take a big swig or just pour out a couple of ounces. Sit the chicken on the beer can so the legs are at the bottom and the wings are at the top. Stand the beer can on the grates over the drip pan. Put the cover on and cook over indirect heat until the juices run clear, about 1 hour. (If using charcoal, push the coals to 1 side so the chicken is not over direct heat.)
• Note: This chicken can also be cooked in a 350 degrees F oven. Just stand the beer can in a shallow roasting pan and cook about 1 hour or until juices run clear.

SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE TACOS WITH CILANTRO SLAW AND CHIPOTLE CREAM

Steps:

• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Whisk sour cream and chipotle chiles in small bowl; season with salt. Whisk brown sugar and next 5 ingredients in another small bowl to blend for spice rub.
• Place zucchini and bell pepper on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with canola oil; toss to coat. Sprinkle spice rub over both sides of vegetables and chicken.
• Place chicken and vegetables on barbecue. Grill until vegetables are tender and browned in spots and chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer to work surface; cut chicken crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick strips. Cut vegetables crosswise into 3/4-inch pieces. Place chicken and vegetables in large bowl; toss to blend.
• Place chicken and vegetables, chipotle cream, tortillas, slaw, and lime wedges on table. Allow guests to assemble their own soft tacos.
• *Chipotle chiles canned in a spicy tomato sauce, which is sometimes called adobo, are available at some supermarkets, at Latin markets, and at specialty foods stores.
• **Available at specialty foods stores and from tienda.com.

SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN BREAST TACOS WITH GRILLED POBLANOS, BBQ ONIONS AND COLESLAW

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high.
• Brush the poblanos with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the chiles on the grill and cook until charred on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove from the grill, place in a bowl and cover with plastic for 10 minutes. Remove the skin, seeds and stem and cut into thin slices.
• Brush the onions with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill and cook until lightly golden brown and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Brush with some of the bbq sauce during the last few minutes. Most of the skin should come off on the grill, but if not, take it off when the onions come off the grill.;
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, celery salt, celery seed, vinegar and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the cabbage, carrot, onion and scallion and stir to combine, season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Let slaw sit at least 15 minutes before serving.
• Heat the grill to high.
• Whisk together the ancho, cinnamon, cumin, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper in a small bowl.
• Season top side of the breasts with the rub mixture, turn over and season the back with the remaining salt. Drizzle with some of the oil and place on the grill, rub side down and grill until lightly golden brown and a crust has formed, about 3 minutes. Turn the chicken over, close the lid and continue cooking until just cooked through, about 6 minutes longer. Remove from the grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• Grill the flour tortillas briefly, just to mark and heat. To build the tacos, fold each tortilla around some of the chicken, poblanos, onions, coleslaw and guacamole.
• Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.

SPICY CHINESE FIVE SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN WINGS WITH CREAMY CILANTRO DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. FOR THE WINGS
• 2. Pre-heat oven to 500 degrees, line a baking sheet with parchment.
• 3. Remove the tips from the chicken wings(save for making stock-if you wish-or discard)and cut the wings in half at the joint. Place the wings in a bowl.
• 4. Sprinkle 5 spice powder, and cayenne over wings, add salt and pepper.(be generous with the pepper) Rub this mixture all over the wings until no powder remains
• 5. Place the wings on parchment lined baking sheet with the most skin up. Bake for about 25 minutes-or until cooked through browned and crispy-meanwhile make the sauce
• 6. NOTE: This spice mixture also makes a very good Chinese inspired rub for a whole roast chicken-just maintain the ratio of 2 parts five spice to 1 part cayenne
• 7. FOR THE SAUCE
• 8. Combine all sauce ingredients through the lemon juice-add salt and pepper to taste
• 9. NOTE: I should mention that I like my wings very spicy-you might prefer a lessor amount-but the sauce goes a long way in taming the heat
• 10. NOTE: This recipe can be easily doubled-just use two baking sheets, and rotate baking sheets half way through the baking time.

BBQ'D SPICE RUBBED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Spice Mix: Blend all dry ingredients,* Coriander and bay leaf can be ground in a spice or coffee grinder.
• Chicken: rinse chicken in cold water and pat dry, season chicken liberally with spice rub.
• To cook: Start gas grill or charcoal bbq; if using gas grill, turn one side down to a low heat while keeping the other side on med/high, If using charcoal grill push coals to one side.
• Place chicken breast on the grill( away from the fire) skin side up; cover and cook for 20-25 minutes(Check to make sure there is no flare ups if using a gas grill).
• Turn chicken over onto direct heat, cover and cook for 5 minutes more or until chicken is well browned, and cooked through, enjoy.

ROASTED SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN UNDER A BRICK

Steps:

• Rinse the chicken and pat dry with paper towels. In a bowl, mix together the cumin, salt, cinnamon, allspice, pepper, and turmeric. Pat the mixture onto the chicken and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 12 hours.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 1 hour before cooking. Place a 14-inch skillet or heavy-duty roasting or baking pan in the oven, along with 2 foil-wrapped bricks, and preheat the oven to 500°F for 15 minutes.
• Rub the chicken with the olive oil and press it flat. Wearing oven mitts, remove the pan from the oven and press the chicken, skin side down, on the pan. Place a brick on top of each chicken half. (Instead of the foil-wrapped bricks, you can preheat another baking sheet and/or a heavy heatproof object such as a thick cast-iron skillet to use as a weight. Place the baking sheet on top of the chicken and weigh it down with the weight.) Roast for 30 minutes. Garnish the chicken with cilantro and serve with lemon wedges.

SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN WITH HOMINY SAUTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a small bowl, combine paprika, chile powder, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet, and rub with spice mixture. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make hominy saute: In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium. Add hominy and scallions; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until scallions are softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomatoes; cook until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and add vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle chicken with pan juices, if desired, and serve with hominy saute.

SPICY CHINESE FIVE-SPICE RUBBED CHICKEN WINGS WITH CREAMY CILANTRO DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F. If you have whole chicken wings, cut off wingtips and cut the wings in half at the joint. Discard wingtips or freeze to make stock at a later time. Place the wings in a large bowl. Sprinkle five-spice powder and cayenne on the wings, add a few pinches of salt and about 15 grinds of black pepper. Rub the mixture into all the wings until no more loose rub remains. Wash your hands. Line the wing pieces up on a baking sheet so the side of the wing that has the most skin is facing up. Roast until cooked through, browned and crispy, about 25 minutes. Serve hot with Creamy Cilantro Dipping Sauce. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees F. If you have whole chicken wings, cut off wingtips and cut the wings in half at the joint. Discard wingtips or freeze to make stock at a later time. Place the wings in a large bowl. Sprinkle five-spice powder and cayenne on the wings, add a few pinches of salt and about 15 grinds of black pepper. Rub the mixture into all the wings until no more loose rub remains. Wash your hands. Line the wing pieces up on a baking sheet so the side of the wing that has the most skin is facing up. Roast until cooked through, browned and crispy, about 25 minutes. Serve hot with Creamy Cilantro Dipping Sauce.

SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN BREAST ON TOASTED PITA WITH PIQUILLO-WHITE BEAN HUMMUS AND ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the hummus: Combine the beans and garlic in a food processor and process until coarsely chopped. Add the peppers, tahini, olive oil and lemon juice, and pulse until almost smooth. Add the parsley, oregano, chile de arbol and some salt and pepper; pulse a few times until just incorporated. Taste, and add a little honey as desired. If the mixture is very thick, pulse in some water; the hummus should be just pourable, more of a sauce than a dip. Transfer to a bowl. (Makes 4 cups; leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.)
• For the chicken: Combine the paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and cardamom in a bowl. Brush the chicken breasts on both sides with canola oil and rub the top side of each breast with some of the spice rub.
• Heat a nonstick or enameled cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken, rub-side down, until golden brown and a crust has formed, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook until just starting to brown on the reverse side, another 2 minutes.
• Transfer the pan to the oven and cook until an instant-read thermometer reads 160 degrees F, 7 to 10 minutes longer. Remove the chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
• For the salad: Whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil and some salt in a large bowl. Add the arugula and toss gently.
• To assemble: Pile some arugula salad on top of a warm pita, spoon over a generous amount of hummus, and pile on some sliced chicken. Serve warm.

SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN BREAST TACOS WITH GRILLED POBLANOS, BBQ ONIONS AND COLESLAW

Steps:

• For the poblanos: Heat the grill to high. Brush the poblanos with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the chiles on the grill and cook until charred on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove from the grill, place in a bowl and cover with plastic for 10 minutes. Remove the skin, seeds and stem and cut into thin slices. For the onions: Brush the onions with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill and cook until lightly golden brown and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Brush with some of the bbq sauce during the last few minutes. Most of the skin should come off on the grill, but if not, take it off when the onions come off the grill. For the coleslaw: Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, celery salt, celery seed, vinegar and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the cabbage, carrot, onion and scallion and stir to combine, season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Let slaw sit at least 15 minutes before serving. For the chicken: Heat the grill to high. Whisk together the ancho, cinnamon, cumin, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Season top side of the breasts with the rub mixture, turn over and season the back with the remaining salt. Drizzle with some of the oil and place on the grill, rub side down and grill until lightly golden brown and a crust has formed, about 3 minutes. Turn the chicken over, close the lid and continue cooking until just cooked through, about 6 minutes longer. Remove from the grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Grill the flour tortillas briefly, just to mark and heat. To build the tacos, fold each tortilla around some of the chicken, poblanos, onions, coleslaw and guacamole. Fire Roasted Green Chile Guacamole: Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Yield: 4 to 6 servings Recipe courtesy of Bobby Flay, 2008