Using rubs on chicken.

[smokinfrog]

When using a really good rub on chicken is it okay to skin the chicken? Will the rub stay put on the chicken like it does on ribs?Thanks Kermit

 

[austinl]

It has been my experience the skin is best left on for smoking as it will help retain moisture within the meat.  The skin tends to bunch up a little if you rub too hard but a light coating of oil will help the rub stick and reduce the friction between your hands and the skin.  What I do personally for flavoring birds is dissolve a dry rub I like into a brine and use that to flavor the chicken because I think the flavors get into the meat better than rubs/injections alone.

 

[rdknb]

I smoke my chicken at a higher temp to get crispy skin, so I rub both top and then loosen skin and rub under it

 

[austinl]

Good point; I only do lower temps and also not a big skin eater so it just gets discarded.

 

[rdknb]

Good point; I only do lower temps and also not a big skin eater so it just gets discarded.

In that case I would smoke with it on but rub under it

 

[scarbelly]

In that case I would smoke with it on but rub under it

I agree - skin helps keep the chicken  moist and rubbing under it gets the flavor into the chicken