Popular Nashville Hot Chicken Rub
Get ready for bold flavor with Brant’s Nashville Hot Chicken Rub! Sweet, smoky, and perfectly spicy, it’s the ultimate chicken seasoning.
My husband makes the most amazing crispy smoked hot wings, and this Nashville Hot Chicken Rub is his secret weapon! This chicken seasoning has the perfect smoky sweetness with just the right touch of heat that you can adjust to your taste. What’s surprising (and pretty awesome) about this spice blend is that the heat doesn’t linger—it hits you with that bold flavor and then mellows out, so you’re ready for the next bite! Give it a try, and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as everyone else does.
What is in Brant’s Nashville Hot Chicken Rub?
So here’s what you need for this killer Nashville rub:
- Cayenne – For that fiery Nashville heat
- Cumin – Adds a warm depth that makes the rub taste richer
- Brown sugar – A little sweetness to balance the spice
- Chili powder – A mild kick and gorgeous color
- Granulated garlic – Brings savory goodness
- Onion powder – Essential for a bold base flavor
- Smoked paprika – Smoky and vibrant, for that extra kick
- Chipotle powder – Adds just a hint of smoky heat
- Oregano – A touch of earthiness
- Rosemary – Adds a bit of herbal warmth
- Powdered sage – A must for that Southern touch
- Salt – To bring out all those flavors
- Black pepper – Because a little sharpness rounds it all out
Recipe Substitutions And Notes
This rub is super customizable—want it smokier? Add extra smoked paprika. Love garlic? Toss in an extra teaspoon of garlic powder. This way, you can make your Nashville chicken as mild or wild as you want. This blend is designed to create layers of flavor, so you get that sweet, smoky, spicy goodness with every bite.
Here are some suggestions:
- Want more heat? If you’re a true heat lover, add a little more cayenne or chipotle powder. You’ll get that classic spicy Nashville chicken flavor with every bite.
- Want it sweeter? If you like a more pronounced sweet note, swap in some cane sugar, which gives it a deeper, almost caramel-like flavor.
How to Make It
- Grab a mixing bowl and toss all these ingredients together until they’re well-blended. This rub is amazing to coat fried chicken, grilled wings, or even veggies. Make a little extra and store it in an airtight container to keep those flavors fresh!
Georgie’s Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Nashville Hot Recipes
🌟 Love this recipe? Spread the love by leaving a star review or dropping a comment below! I’d really love to hear what you think. If this recipe hit the spot for you, you’d be helping me out big time by sharing it on Pinterest or Facebook! 💬✨
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them (It won’t cost you extra, promise). This helps support my work and allows me to continue creating content—thank you for your support! Rest assured, I only recommend products I personally use and love.
Popular Nashville Hot Chicken Rub
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 tbsp Light Brown Sugar
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon rosemary
- ½ teaspoon powdered sage
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Mix everything in a small bowl. Use right away or store in an airtight container for a few months.
- Coat chicken generously. Get the seasoning under the skin and let it sit for a 30 minutes to overnight.