This recipe for Spicy Chicken Rub is an easy and tasty way to dress up a roasted chicken! By the way, chickens come in all sizes, but are generally grouped into three categories:
- Cornish hen: 2.5 to 3.5 pounds
- Fryer: 3.5 to 4.0 pounds
- Roaster: 4.0 pounds and up
- Small turkey: 7 pounds and up (this is our own classification because these birds wear us out in processing!)
Of course, you can roast any size bird based on your needs. Beware of any bird that says “water added” or “salt water added.” That will interfere with the flavors you are adding. The best way to have a great chicken dinner is to start with great chicken: it should taste like chicken, and only chicken! Our birds don’t need that extra moisture or flavor. The sun and green grass did it all already. But this recipe will sure add some extra goodness to your dinner!
Spicy Chicken Rub Recipe Print version

Roasted whole chicken is easy as anything, and this rub will liven it up! Easy and tasty!
- 1 whole chicken, about 4 lb.s
- 1 tbsp. sea salt
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper (more or less, to taste)
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. thyme, dried
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
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Combine all the spices in a bag or bowl.
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Rinse the chicken inside and out. Rub the spices under the breast skin and on the skin of the whole bird.
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Place bird breast up in a covered pot (roasting pan or crock pot) and bake at 325 degrees for about 1 1/2 hours. Bird is done when the drum stick meat starts to pull away from the end of the bone, or the juices run clear when you poke the thigh.
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Enjoy!
This can be used on chicken parts as well! Rub the mixed spices onto the parts. Lay the parts flat in a baking dish. Bake at 325 degrees for about 1 hour.
Recipe for Grilled Chicken