Are you tired of bland, dry-grilled, or smoked chicken breasts that lack flavor and juiciness? If so, you’re not alone. I’ve been in that same frustrating situation, searching for a quick and easy solution to elevate the taste of my smoked chicken without the need for lengthy marinades.

While I had used dry BBQ rubs successfully on steak and briskets, I had yet to experiment with them on chicken.

Amongst the array of dry rubs, one recipe stands out: our sweet and spicy coffee-rubbed chicken. This homemade coffee rub is a game-changer for anyone who loves grilled or smoked chicken. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and guarantees mouthwatering results every time.

You can put this coffee rub for chicken wings, thighs, breasts, and whole chicken, on all kinds of beef, from smoked brisket and steaks.

For a bbq coffee rubbed chicken recipe, you’ll want to choose coffee beans with bold flavors that can stand up to the other spices and ingredients in the bbq rub.

A medium to dark roast works well, as they tend to have richer, more robust flavors that complement the savory elements of the rub. Look for beans with tasting notes of chocolate, caramel, or nuts, as these flavors can enhance the overall profile of the rub.

Also, consider experimenting with flavored coffee beans, such as those infused with vanilla or cinnamon, to add an extra layer of complexity to the dry rub.

Ingredients Needed To Make Coffee Rub

– Coffee Grounds: Use Freshly ground coffee beans lightly roast coffee beans on a frying pan on low flame. It will help coffee retain its flavor when cooked to perfection.

– Brown Sugar: Use dark brown brown sugar for best results. The brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness to the rub, balancing out the flavors.

– Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The cocoa powder brings an earthy and fruity flavor to the seasoning, complementing the coffee dry rub

– kosher or pink Himalayan Salt: Salt is essential to bring out the natural flavors of the smoked meat. Use kosher or pink salt.

– Roasted and crushed Black Pepper: Take fresh whole pepper, roast in a frying pan until it gets fragrant then grind in mortar and pestle. When you gently roast crushed black pepper in a frying pan, it awakens the aromatic compounds within the spice, creating a more robust and complex flavor profile.

The heat releases the essential oils present in the pepper, resulting in a richer and more pronounced taste

–Smoked paprika and paprika: This combination of these spices adds depth and complexity to the rub, enhancing the overall flavor.

-Garlic powder: It is a flavor enhancer infusing each bite with a truly fantastic taste.

-Onion Powder

– Cumin

How To Make Coffee Rub For Smoking Chicken, Briskets And Steaks

1. In a bowl or jar, combine the coffee grounds, cocoa powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin powder, fresh roasted and crushed black pepper, paprika, smoked paprika, and salt.

2. Whisk or shake the ingredients together until well combined.

3. Sprinkle a generous amount of the Coffee Rub onto the meat and massage it in, ensuring that the rub absorbs into the meat.

4. Repeat this step for each piece of meat, making sure that it is completely covered with the Coffee Rub.

5. Let the meat marinate with the rub for at least 30 minutes or overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate.

Confidence Tip

To make perfect grilled chicken use our easy coffee rub recipe. But the most important part is how you cook it. Pay attention to the smoke, cooking time, temperatures, and moisture.

These things can make a big difference in how your meat turns out. No matter how good the rub is, if you don’t cook the meat well, it won’t taste good. Use a meat thermometer to check if the meat is cooked just right.

 Storage

If you have any leftover Coffee Rub, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 months. Make sure to shake or stir well before using it again to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.

Variations Of Dry Coffee Rub

Spicy Coffee Rub: Increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add your favorite ground chile to give the rub an extra kick.

Textured Coffee Rub: Use sea salt, dried minced garlic, and dried onion flakes for a rub with added texture.

Tangy kick: Use mustard powder or mustard paste. Dissolve 1 teaspoon mustard powder in 1 tablespoon vinegar and use it in your recipe instead of mustard powder. This paste also helps the spices to adhere to the meat.use it if you like its flavor.

Additions

• Citrus Zest: Add a sprinkle of lemon, lime, or orange zest to brighten up the flavors.

• Fresh Herbs: Chop up some fresh herbs like rosemary, basil, thyme, or parsley and sprinkle them over the meat before grilling.

• Garlic Butter: Top the grilled meat with a dollop of garlic butter for an extra burst of flavor.

Substitutions

If you’re missing an ingredient for the Coffee Rub, don’t worry! There are some substitutions you can make:

Coffee Grounds: If you don’t have coffee grounds, you can use instant coffee granules instead.

Brown Sugar: Substitute with granulated sugar or honey for a different level of sweetness.

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: If you don’t have cocoa powder, you can use dark chocolate powder or even grated dark chocolate.

Spices: Feel free to adjust the quantities of spices according to your taste preferences. You can also substitute or omit certain spices based on your personal preferences.

1. Can I use the Coffee Rub on vegetables?

Yes, the Coffee Rub can also be used to season grilled vegetables. Simply sprinkle the rub onto the vegetables before grilling for a flavorful and unique twist.

How long can I store the Coffee Rub?

The Coffee Rub can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 months. Make sure to shake or stir well before using it again.

Can I use the Coffee Rub on seafood?

While the Coffee Rub is primarily designed for meat, you can experiment with using it on seafood. However, keep in mind that the flavors may be more intense, so adjust the quantity accordingly.

Can I use the Coffee Rub for oven-baked dishes?

Absolutely! The Coffee Rub can be used for oven-baked dishes as well. Simply follow the same instructions and adjust the cooking time and temperature according to the recipe.

Can I use the Coffee Rub for grilling burgers?

Yes, the Coffee Rub is perfect for grilling burgers. Sprinkle the rub onto the burger patties before grilling for a unique and delicious flavor.

Does the coffee in the rub make the meat taste like coffee?

When used in moderation, the coffee in the rub doesn’t overpower the meat and makes it taste like a traditional cup of coffee. Instead, it adds complexity and depth to the overall flavor profile, enhancing the savory and smoky aspects of the meat.

Can I prepare a larger batch of coffee rub and store it for future use?

Absolutely! You can prepare a larger batch of coffee rub, just double or triple the amount as per your need. store coffee rub spice mix in an airtight container for future use. Just be careful about the shelf life of the individual ingredients to maintain freshness.