Best BBQ Chicken Seasoning

Fire, grills, and flavor have always painted the perfect picture of culinary delight. Imagine hanging out with friends in your backyard and grilling chicken while the flame, sizzle, and aroma weave into the meat. The best BBQ chicken seasoning balances sweetness and heat. Furthermore, spices like paprika, black pepper, and more create a dynamic interplay that treats your taste buds without overpowering them. The final result is an enticing flavor that reflects your preference. If you’re new to BBQ chicken seasoning, let us suggest the best herbs and spices to try.

How to Season BBQ Chicken

Everyone has their way of grilling chicken. Regardless, you can still use some help. Follow these tips or add them to your routine for the best result.

Prepare the Chicken

The first step is to prepare the chicken. Trim excess fat and pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Not only this, but the routine allows the seasoning to stick and promotes crispiness. Meanwhile, there are different types of chicken you can barbecue. As you’d expect, they don’t offer the same result. The best parts to try are:

• Thigh: The chicken thigh has a higher fat content and a rich flavor. As a result, the fat keeps the meat moist throughout the cooking process.
• Drumsticks: A built-in handle allows easy maneuvering. Most importantly, the drumstick gives a great balance of dark meat. The skin crips nicely, and the bone retains moisture.
• Spatchcocked whole chicken: BBQing a chicken after removing the backbone allows even cooking. Furthermore, the skin crips up well.
• Wings: Chicken wings have a higher skin-to-meat ratio. Plus, they absorb flavors from sauces and marinades.
• Breast: The breast, especially bone-in, skin-on breasts have more flavor. Plus, the skin adds an extra protection layer from the heat.

Gather Your Seasoning

A chef’s preference is the ultimate answer to the question of what seasoning should I use for BBQ chicken. Nonetheless, there are a few staple ideas you can try. They include paprika, chili powder, thyme, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and brown sugar. Take a look at their roles in BBQ chicken below:

• Paprika, especially smoked paprika, adds color and a smoky flavor to the meal.
• Chili powder provides depth of flavor and heat. Depending on your spice tolerance, use as desired.
• Thyme has an earthy note and adds an herbal flavor
• Salt is fundamental for balancing other seasonings and enhancing the chicken’s natural flavors.
• Garlic powder is an alternative for individuals who don’t want fresh garlic. It supplies a savory garlic flavor.
• Black pepper, cayenne pepper, and other types add a layer of complexity to the flavor profile. Likewise, they add heat, warmth, and a spicy kick.
• Brown sugar makes the chicken sweet. Likewise, the caramelization during grilling creates flavorful crusts on the exterior.
• Other ingredients you can try include onion powder, oregano, cumin, and more. Gather the seasonings in a bowl and mix.

Apply the Seasoning and Grill

Rub the mix over the chicken pieces into all parts, including under the skin. If you’re not in a hurry, let the chicken marinate in the fridge for about 30 minutes for maximum flavor penetration. Clean the grates and oil them to prevent sticking. Then, grill until it reaches 165 degrees F internally. You can baste with additional marinade or oil to give the chicken a glossy finish.

Best Seasoning for BBQ Chicken

Shopping for spices and herbs is time-consuming. Instead, we recommend the best BBQ chicken seasoning collection. The sets contain different ingredients and serve more purposes than BBQing chicken. Our top product recommendations are:

1. Deluxe Chicken BBQ Seasonings Collection

If you’ve ever wanted to create restaurant-grade BBQ chicken, this 3-pack collection is enough to bring out the best in your chicken. It contains zesty Mediterranean lemon pepper rub for making BBQs with Mediterranean undertones. Likewise, Japanese BBQ rub and your everyday poultry rub. Each pack contains about 20 herbs and spices, providing more flavor for a backyard chicken BBQ.

Products in the Collection

• Zesty Mediterranean Lemon Pepper BBQ Rub: Garlic Powder, Minced Garlic, Granulated Garlic, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Cane Sugar, Oregano, Lemon Oil, Marjoram, Chili Peppers, Coriander, Paprika, Red Pepper, Cinnamon, Caraway, Ginger, Lemon Zest.
• Perfect Poultry BBQ Rub: Garlic, Onion, Sea Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Cane Sugar, Celery Seed, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Hickory Smoke Powder, Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Marjoram, Parsley, Red Cayenne, Red Pepper.
• Japanese Teriyaki BBQ Rub: California Sea Salt, Chili Peppers, Garlic, Onion, Sesame Seeds, Cane Sugar, Poppy Seeds, Ginger, Chili Powder, Worcestershire (Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Onion, Tomato and Apple, Natural Caramel Color)​, Dehydrated Orange, Hickory Smoke Powder​, Shiitake Mushroom, Wasabi Root.

 

2. Classic Backyard BBQ Collection

The classic backyard chicken BBQ seasoning collection is another product you should try. Apart from chicken, it is ideal for seared steaks, smash burgers, and more. The gourmet rubs won’t overpower your dish and are suitable for marinades and seasonings. You can use them with sour cream, olive oil, and mayo to make a sauce or dip.

Products in the Collection

• Chop House Choice BBQ Seasoning: Garlic, Black Pepper, Sea Salt, Red Pepper Flakes, Sugar, Parsley, White Pepper, Shitake Mushroom, Onion, Coriander Seed.
• Everything But The BBQ Seasoning: Garlic, Onion, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Cane Sugar, Paprika, Coconut Palm Sugar, Basil, Parsley, Red Bell Pepper, Sesame Seeds, Red Cayenne, White Pepper, Chives, Poppy Seeds, Chervil.
• Perfect Poultry BBQ Rub: Garlic, Onion, Sea Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Cane Sugar, Celery Seed, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Hickory Smoke Powder, Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Marjoram, Parsley, Red Cayenne, Red Pepper.
• All Natural Cool Ranch Seasoning: Sea Salt, Onion, Sugar, Sour Cream Powder, Blue Cheese Powder (Milk, Salt, Cultures, Enzymes), Dill Tips, Chives, Garlic, Basil, Chervil, Tarragon, White Pepper, Parsley.
• Everything But The Burger Seasoning: Garlic, Sea Salt, Sugar, Black Pepper, Worcester Powder, Red Cayenne, Red Bell Pepper, Mustard Powder, Mushroom Powder.
• Everything But The Guacamole Seasoning: Garlic, Onion, Salt, Jalapeño, Cilantro, Red Pepper Flakes, Lime Juice, and Red Cayenne Peppers.

 

3. Perfect for Poultry 

These six packs of rubs and seasonings are perfect for chicken, duck, turkey, and wild game. The spice blends are available in small batches to prevent waste, and they are suitable for spatchcock chicken, whole roasts, and wings. Most importantly, each blend is hand-packed to impart rich, natural flavors that enhance poultry.

Products in the Collection

• Perfect Poultry BBQ Rub: Garlic, Onion, Sea Salt, Pepper, Paprika, Cane Sugar, Celery Seed, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Hickory Smoke Powder, Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme, Marjoram, Parsley, Red Cayenne, Red Pepper.
• Zesty Mediterranean BBQ Rub: Garlic Powder, Minced Garlic, Granulated Garlic, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Cane Sugar, Oregano, Lemon Oil, Marjoram, Chili Peppers, Coriander, Paprika, Red Pepper, Cinnamon, Caraway, Ginger, Lemon Zest.
• Fancy AF BBQ Rub: Garlic, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Cane Sugar, Rosemary, Paprika, Worcestershire (Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Onion, Tomato and Apple, Natural Caramel Color, Yeast Extract, Maltodextrin), Celery Seed, Lemon Zest, Red Pepper Flakes, Butter (Sweet Cream, Salt, Annatto Color, Non-Fat Milk Solids) Black Truffle, Natural Carob Powder, Natural Truffle Flavor, and Habanero Peppers.
• French Onion Seasoning: Sea Salt, Onion, Sugar, Dill Tips, Chives, Garlic, Basil, Chervil, Tarragon, White Pepper, Parsley.
• Everything But The Fried Chicken Seasoning: Garlic, Salt, Black Pepper, Sugar, Mustard Powder, White Pepper, Thyme, Sage, Celery, Basil, Chili Pepper, Ginger, Wasabi Powder, Honey, Rosemary.
• Chicken Kabob Seasoning & Rub: Garlic, Onion, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Cane Sugar, Parsley, Oregano, Thyme, Ground Celery, Red Cayenne, Red Pepper Flakes, Red Bell Pepper, Ancho Chili, Coriander, Orange Zest, Ginger, Cinnamon, Lemon, Marjoram.

 

4. Luxury World Seasoning 

The Luxury World seasoning combines 12 flavors from different parts of the world into one purchase. They include exotic, pungent, and delicate tastes. Likewise, bold and bright flavors. From Portugal to France, Mexico, and Japan, the blends will bring out the best in your chicken.

Products in the Collection

• Shichimi Ramen Seasoning & Meat Rub: California Sea Salt, Chili Peppers, Sesame Seeds, Dehydrated Orange, Poppy Seeds, Ginger and Seaweed.
• Spicy Baja Seasoning: California Salt, Chile Pepper, Salt, Cumin, Oregano, Garlic, Cayenne Pepper and Crushed Red Pepper.
• Wine Country Raspberry & Garlic Seasoning: Minced Garlic, Coarse Salt, Minced Onion, Raspberry, Granulated Garlic, Cilantro, Parsley, Green Bell Pepper, Chives, Rosemary, Crushed Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Poppy Seed, Marjoram.
• Portuguese Piri Piri Fire Seasoning: Paprika, Granulated Garlic, Minced Garlic, Sugar, Fine Salt, Coarse Salt, Granulated Onion, Minced Onion, Red Cayenne, Black Pepper, Oregano, Red Pepper Flakes, Bell Pepper, Ginger, Orange Peel, Basil, Bay Leaves.
• Taste of Thailand: Ginger, Basil, Red Pepper, Cumin, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Garlic, Onion, Red Bell Peppers, Cilantro, Turmeric Extract and Garlic Oil.
• French Onion Seasoning: Sea Salt, Onion, Sugar, Dill Tips, Chives, Garlic, Basil, Chervil, Tarragon, White Pepper, Parsley.
• Sicilian Garlic Seasoning: Minced Garlic, Granulated Garlic, Coarse Salt, Basil, Oregano, Red Bell Peppers, Minced Onion, Sea Salt, Green Bell Peppers, Black Pepper, Fennel, Rosemary, Lemon.
• Sweet, Hot, & Sour Seasoning: Salt, Garlic, Onion, Lime Juice, Worcester Powder, Red Pepper Flakes, Red Cayenne, Black Pepper, White Pepper, Wasabi Powder, Orange Peel.
• Taste of Bordeaux: Chives, Dill Tips, Basil Leaves, Chervil, Tarragon, White Pepper and Parsley.
• Chicken Kabob Seasoning: Garlic, Onion, Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Cane Sugar, Parsley, Oregano, Thyme, Ground Celery, Red Cayenne, Red Pepper Flakes, Red Bell Pepper, Ancho Chili, Coriander, Orange Zest, Ginger, Cinnamon, Lemon, Marjoram.
• Spicy Red Curry Seasoning: Chili Pepper, Red Pepper, Coriander, Cumin, Sea Salt, Ginger, Black Pepper, Paprika, Dehydrated Garlic, Dehydrated Onion, Lime Juice Powder, Galangal, LemonGrass and Cilantro.
• Green Goddess Sea Salt & Seasoning: Chives, Dill Tips, Basil Leaves, Chervil, Tarragon, White Pepper, Parsley, Sour Cream Powder, Sea Salt, Lemon Zest, Garlic, Onion, Celery Flakes.

Conclusion

The best BBQ chicken seasonings are hand-crafted in small batches. Likewise, they last up to 2 years and don’t contain artificial colors or flavors. Use them to upgrade your simple chicken BBQ into a culinary masterpiece.

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