Kickin’ Chicken is a no-nonsense dry rub that shows off just how good basic ingredients can be when they’re blended with care. It is also called kickin’ chicken seasoning, kickin’ chicken spice, kickin’ chicken rub, or kicking chicken.

This blend combines the bittersweet depth of molasses and brown sugar with bold aromatics and old-fashioned pantry staples like celery, mustard, and paprika. Then we top it off with enough heat to give it a playful kick. Kickin’ Chicken will help form the much-sought-after bark when it’s cooked over low-and-slow temperatures, like in a smoker or at a low heat in the oven. It’s also terrific as a higher-heat grill rub, and it makes an awesome barbecue sauce when mixed with some ketchup and a little vinegar.

Kickin’ Chicken is popular with seasoning companies; olive oil shops; independent spice shops; and food and condiment manufacturers.

Flavor Profile

Kickin’ Chicken is welcoming and warm. It’s sweet, earthy, and pungent, with bittersweet herbaceousness and a peppery bite at the finish. 

How To Use

Rub Kickin’ Chicken dry rub onto chicken or pork and load them right onto the grill. Mix with balsamic vinegar and honey for a sweet-and-sour glaze and enjoy some Sticky Kickin’ Chicken wings. Coat pork loin in Kickin’ Chicken for low-maintenance, high flavor, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Use it as the main blend when making Smoked Turkey Legs. Toss over Grilled Pork Chops, which you can then finish with the apple glaze. Plant-based chefs can rub this over portobello mushrooms for Grilled Portobello Burgers or coat sliced cauliflower in Kickin’ Chicken for cauliflower steaks. Season drained tofu with Kickin’ Chicken, skewer, and grill, or make a glaze with Kickin’ Chicken and veggie or mushroom broth and put it over pan-seared tempeh.