BBQ Chicken Seasoning for Backyard BBQ

BBQ Chicken Seasoning is what your bird needs! This seasoning is what takes us back to our youth. With the mixture of honey and other seasonings, dads want to share this experience with their kids.

Pass the torch if you will.

Award-Winning Flavor for Your BBQ Chicken

Butcher BBQ Honey Rub is the BBQ chicken seasoning we were talking about. This rub has earned the prestigious title of “Best Rub on The Planet” in 2022 and for good reason.

This exceptional BBQ chicken seasoning delivers sweetness, and pleasant flavors every time you dust your birds. The honey elements create a beautiful, caramelized exterior on your whole chicken.

Most pitmasters discover their results improve dramatically when using championship blended seasonings.

BBQ Chicken Seasoning Application Techniques

Your BBQ chicken rub should be generously applied to all surfaces before smoking. When cooking a whole chicken, don’t forget the chicken’s cavity and under the wings.

Pro tip – Don’t rub your BBQ chicken rub! You only want to press or gently pat the seasoning into the skin or meat.

We would recommend applying your chicken rub for smoking six hours before cooking time.

When the BBQ chicken seasoning sits on the meat it is a technique called “dry brining”. Dry brining allows the salt and other seasonings to fully penetrate and enhance the natural flavors of the meat.

If you don’t have six hours, at least give the seasoning an hour to dry brine.

Time to Smoke that Bird

After the BBQ chicken seasoning has sat it is time to put it on the smoker!

When it comes to poultry, we recommend cooking hotter and faster, around the 300-325 point. Poultry seems to need a hotter fire in order to reach the 165 internal temperatures.

Cooking Hotter and Faster

Whole chickens with our BBQ chicken seasoning respond beautifully when cooked at a higher temperature. Pair Butcher BBQ Honey Rub with fruit woods. Our favorite is apple wood, but cherry wood adds a delicious flavor as well!

Now, maintain your smoker temperature around 300°F for ideal rendering of the fat in dark meat. The cooking time for a whole chicken will take 1.5-2 hours at 300 degrees.

However, after about an hour you will want to monitor the internal temperatures. Use a probe thermometer and make sure it doesn’t over cook.

If the wings or legs appear to be drying out, partially wrap them in aluminum foil.

Now, the BBQ chicken seasoning will start to form a delicious crust, and the skin will crisp up as well. The curst is “bark” and adds additional flavors from the smoking process.

Again, use your temp probe and make sure your internal temperatures reach 165°F for food safety.

Citrus and Herb Stuffing for Smoked Chicken

Many tasty BBQ chicken recipes call for citrus and herb stuffing alongside quality BBQ chicken seasoning.

This is optional but worth it! The honey flavor in Butcher BBQ Honey Rub pairs remarkably well with additional aromatics inside whole chickens.

Recipe below:

Ingredients:

• 1 medium orange, quartered
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 1 small onion, peeled and quartered
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 3-4 sage leaves;
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened;
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Prepare your chicken by removing any giblets and excess fat. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
2. Season the cavity with a light coating of the BBQ Chicken Seasoning.
3. Squeeze one quarter of the orange and one quarter of the lemon into a small bowl, then mix with the softened butter and black pepper to create a compound butter
4. Gently loosen the skin over the breast and thighs and spread some of the citrus-butter mixture underneath.
5. Stuff the chicken cavity with the remaining orange and lemon quarters, onion, garlic cloves, and herb sprigs. Don't pack too tightly and allow some airflow for even cooking.
6. Apply the Butcher BBQ Honey Rub generously to the outside of the chicken.
7. Allow the chicken to rest with the stuffing and rub for at least 1 hour before smoking (up to 6 hours in the refrigerator is preferred).
8. Smoke the chicken according to your preferred method, maintaining a temperature around 300°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the thigh.
9. Let the chicken rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.

Pro Tips:

• If you want an extra layer of flavor, add a cinnamon stick to the cavity.
• If you prefer a stronger citrus flavor, zest the orange and lemon before quartering and mix the zest into your compound butter.
• This stuffing is for flavoring only. Discard after cooking and do not consume.

In conclusion

So there you have it, BBQ chicken seasoning, and a delicious BBQ chicken recipe for stuffing. What more do you need?

We cannot say enough about Butcher BBQ Honey Rub on smoked chicken. It is a pitmaster essential and you will definitely want to add this to your seasoning shelf.