If you love buffalo sauce then make sure you keep this Buffalo Chicken Spice Rub on hand and you’ll be well on your way to easy, tasty chicken dinners! It’s smoky, savory, spicy and just a little bit sweet.
This Buffalo chicken spice rub is my pride and joy—well, I’d rank my kids first, THEN this Buffalo chicken spice rub. My husband is a huge Buffalo chicken wing lover and this dry rub is a game changer for us. This rub adds all the same flavors without the sauce! Packed with heat from cayenne pepper, chili powder and chipotle chili powder, this spice rub will blow your mind. Like my chicken seasoning recipe, you can use this rub for grilling and any other cooking method. Which means you’ll be reaching for it all the time!
Why You’re Going to Want This Buffalo Spice Rub in Your Pantry
This Buffalo chicken spice rub will take your meals to the next level. Here’s why we love it:
- Perfect for chicken—and more. Whether you’re grilling, baking, air frying, or pan-searing, this Buffalo spice rub brings out the BEST in chicken. But wait, there’s more! You can also use it for pork chops, on roasted veggies, and even grilled corn to add a smoky, spicy touch.
- Quick and easy to use. With this rub already prepared, you can elevate your dishes in seconds without having to gather a bunch of jars from the pantry every time you make dinner. Just sprinkle, rub, and cook!
- Stores well. Make a batch of Buffalo chicken spice rub and keep it in your pantry where it will stay fresh for months.
What You’ll Need
You probably have all of these ingredients in your pantry right now! Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Garlic powder – Adds savory depth to the mix.
- Smoked paprika – The smoky flavor adds grilling vibes, even when you’re cooking in the oven or air fryer!
- Cumin – Brings a warm, earthy taste to the table.
- Brown sugar – I love the little bit of sweetness this adds to the seasoning. You can use dark or light brown sugar.
- Ground dry mustard – Its sharp flavor is great for adding depth to any recipe.
- Chili powder – For some mild heat and flavor.
- Black pepper – Freshly ground is best.
- Chipotle chili powder – This adds more smokiness and some heat too.
- Sea salt – Essential for any dry rub!
- Cayenne pepper – For fiery heat; you can reduce or omit this for less spice.
How to Make This Buffalo Chicken Spice Rub
Making this Buffalo spice rub is quick and easy! For the full instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Combine. Add the garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, brown sugar, dry mustard, chili powder, black pepper, chipotle chili powder, sea salt and cayenne pepper to a bowl.
- Stir. Mix everything together so each spice is evenly distributed.
- Store. Funnel into a jar or ziplock bag.
Ways to Use This Dry Rub
This Buffalo dry rub is great for adding flavor to your chicken, but it also adds some texture because it creates a crust on the surface. Some of my favorite ways to use this recipe include:
- Beer Can Chicken – Rub the chicken with the Buffalo seasoning and follow the recipe instructions. It’s the most flavorful chicken you’ll ever have!
- Buffalo Chicken Salad – Swap the Buffalo sauce in this recipe with the dry rub.
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings – Use this dry rub instead of the seasonings listed in the recipe
How to Store
Keep your Buffalo chicken spice rub in a jar, airtight container, or ziplock bag in a cool, dry place (like your pantry) for up to 6 months. Over time, the flavor of the spices will start to dull and lose their potency.
More Recipes for Buffalo Lovers
Buffalo Chicken Spice Rub
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 jar 1x
- Category: Seasoning
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Description
This homemade Buffalo chicken spice rub is smoky, spicy and just a little bit sweet. You probably have everything you need to make it!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon ground dry mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- To a small bowl add garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, brown sugar, dry mustard, chili powder, black pepper, chipotle chili powder, sea salt and cayenne pepper.
- Stir to combine.
- Pour spice blend into a sealable glass jar or ziplock bag. Use as needed.
