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You can’t resist the smoky, savory goodness of Wingstop Smoky Chipotle Rub. From its fire-roasted pepper kick to its hints of honey and paprika, this dry rub is a perfect blend of sweet, smoky, and spicy—an absolute flavor explosion!
Table of Contents
How to make Wingstop Smoky Chipotle Rub
Wingstop Smoky Chipotle Rub is one of Wingstop’s dry seasoning options for their chicken wings. Instead of a wet sauce, it’s a dry rub made with a blend of smoky chipotle peppers, chili spices, and savory seasonings.
Ingredients
- Chipotle Powder (2 tbsp): The star of the show, for that earthy, smoky, and spicy kick. Make sure to use pure Chipotle chili powder.
- Smoked Paprika (1 tbsp): Adds more smokiness and a subtle sweetness, rounding out the flavor.
- Brown Sugar (1 tbsp): Balances the heat with a touch of sweetness, giving the rub a barbecue vibe.
- Garlic Powder (2 tsp): Provides a warm, savory depth to the blend.
- Onion Powder (1.5 tsp): Complements the garlic with a slightly sweet, savory flavor.
- Salt (1.5 tsp): Enhances all the ingredients and brings them together.
- Black Pepper (1 tsp): Adds a little sharpness to balance the sweetness.
- Cayenne Pepper (½ tsp, optional): For an extra bit of heat, feel free to adjust this based on your spice tolerance.
- Honey Powder (1 tsp): Optional, but it can add a touch of honey sweetness if you want to mimic Wingstop’s balance of sweet and smoky. (You can also drizzle liquid honey after cooking, if desired.)
Instructions
- Measure and Combine the Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, add all the dry spices: chipotle powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Whisk the ingredients together until they’re evenly mixed.
- Taste the Rub: Before using it, give the mixture a small taste. Adjust ingredients as needed—for example, add more brown sugar for sweetness, more chipotle powder for smokiness, or more cayenne for spice.
- Apply the Rub: The Smoky Chipotle Rub works perfectly on chicken wings, tenders, fries, vegetables, or even popcorn!
- For chicken wings or tenders: Pat the wings dry with a paper towel and lightly coat them with oil to help the rub stick.
- Generously sprinkle the rub over the wings, ensuring an even coating on all sides.
- Let the wings sit for at least 15-30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Cook the Wings:
- Oven-baked: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the wings on a baking rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping the cake halfway through the cooking time.
- Air fryer: Cook the wings at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Grill: Grill the wings over medium heat for about 10-12 minutes per side.
- Once cooked, give the wings a final sprinkle of rub for an added layer of flavor.
Tips for Perfect Smoky Chipotle Rub
- Make It in Advance: You can prepare a larger batch of the rub and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Keep it in a cool, dark place to preserve freshness.
- Customize the Heat: If you’re serving this rub to people with different spice tolerances, you can prepare a milder version by omitting the cayenne pepper. Serve extra cayenne or hot sauce on the side for those who want more heat.
- Use High-Quality Spices: Since the rub relies heavily on spices, using high-quality smoked paprika, chipotle powder, and fresh dried ingredients makes a big difference in taste.
- Oil for Binding: Before applying the rub, lightly coat your wings (or other food) with olive oil or vegetable oil. This helps the rub stick better and enhances the overall flavor.
- Versatility: Don’t limit this rub to just wings. Sprinkle it on fries, roasted vegetables (especially sweet potatoes), or grilled corn for a unique twist.
What to serve with
Wingstop Smoky Chipotle Rub is all about big, bold flavors: smoky, slightly sweet, and with just the right amount of heat. Because it’s such a standout flavor, it pairs beautifully with a range of sides, dips, and beverages that complement and balance its intensity.
- Ranch Dressing: The cool, creamy richness of ranch dressing tempers the spiciness and complements the smoky flavor of the Wingstop Smoky Chipotle Rub. It’s a classic and crowd-pleaser.
- Blue Cheese Dressing: For those who enjoy bold pairings, the tangy, salty flavor of blue cheese dressing is perfect with Wingstop Smoky Chipotle Rub.
- Honey Mustard: A touch of sweetness and tanginess from honey mustard further complements the sweet-smoky notes in the Wingstop Smoky Chipotle Rub.
- Chipotle Mayo: Double down on the smoky flavor with a creamy, slightly spicy chipotle mayo.
- Garlic Aioli: The garlicky creaminess of homemade or store-bought aioli works wonderfully as a dip for smoky, spicy wings.
Ingredients Substitutes
Creating the perfect Smoky Chipotle Rub at home doesn’t have to mean sticking rigidly to the exact ingredients if you don’t have them on hand. You can still achieve similar flavor profiles by using clever substitutes, adapting to your pantry, or even customizing the recipe to suit your taste buds better.
1. Chipotle Powder
Chipotle powder is the signature ingredient in Wingstop Smoky Chipotle Rub, providing smoky heat and depth. If you’re out of chipotle powder, try these alternatives:
- Smoked Paprika + Cayenne Pepper: Mix 2 parts smoked paprika with 1 part cayenne pepper to mimic the smoky-spicy profile of chipotle powder. Adjust the cayenne to your heat preference.
- Ancho Chili Powder: Ancho chili is milder and less smoky, but it can work as a substitute, especially when combined with smoked paprika.
- Liquid Chipotle Hot Sauce: If you have Chipotle hot sauce, you can add a few dashes to the marinade or coat the wings lightly before adding the dry rub mix. Use sparingly to avoid making the wings too wet.
2. Smoked Paprika
Smoked paprika offers both smokiness and a mild sweetness in the rub. If you don’t have it, here’s what you can use instead:
- Regular Paprika + Liquid Smoke: Combine regular paprika with a few drops of liquid smoke to replicate the smoky flavor. These drops are potent, so use them judiciously!
- Ground Cumin: While cumin has a slightly earthy profile rather than a smoky one, it still lends depth to the flavor. Mix it with regular paprika to enhance your rub.
3. Brown Sugar
Brown sugar balances the spice and adds a subtle caramel-like sweetness. If you run out, you can try these:
- White Sugar + Molasses: Mix 1 tbsp of white sugar with ½ tsp molasses to replicate the flavor of brown sugar.
- Maple Sugar or Coconut Sugar: Both are natural sweeteners with unique flavors that can substitute well for brown sugar.
- Honey Powder: Another alternative is honey powder (if you already have it for the rub). You can also drizzle liquid honey on the wings after cooking for added sweetness.
4. Garlic Powder
Garlic powder offers a warm, savory base flavor to the rub. If you don’t have it:
- Fresh Garlic: Mince or finely grate fresh garlic and mix it directly into the wet oil coating before applying the rub. Be aware that the texture will differ, but the flavor will still shine through.
- Granulated Garlic: Granulated garlic works interchangeably with garlic powder but has a coarser texture.
- Onion Powder (Extra): In desperate situations, you can increase the onion powder slightly for added depth in aroma and flavor.
5. Onion Powder
Onion powder adds savory sweetness and complements garlic powder. If you don’t have onion powder:
- Dried Minced Onion: Grind dried minced onion into a fine powder for a similar flavor.
- Fresh Onion Juice: Grate an onion and extract its juice, then mix it into the oil before applying the rub. It will add a natural sweetness but slightly wet the spice blend.
- Shallot Powder: If you happen to have shallot powder, its mild onion flavor makes a good substitute.
6. Salt
Salt enhances all flavors in the rub. In its absence:
- Kosher Salt or Sea Salt: These can be used as a substitute for table salt, offering a slightly different texture or flavor profile.
- Seasoned Salt: If you have seasoned salt (like Lawry’s), it can add extra layers of flavor, but adjust carefully to avoid overwhelming the rub’s signature balance.
- Soy Sauce Powder: For an alternative with added umami, use soy sauce powder sparingly.
7. Black Pepper
Black pepper adds sharpness and slight heat. If you’re missing it:
- White Pepper: Offers similar heat, though slightly milder and with a more subtle flavor.
- Ground Chili Flakes: Adds a comparable spice kick, though it leans hotter.
8. Cayenne Pepper (Optional)
Cayenne is used for extra heat in the rub but can be omitted or replaced:
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Ground or crushed red pepper flakes provide a very similar heat, though slightly coarse in texture.
- Chili Powder: Not as hot as cayenne, but it makes for a good substitute if you just need mild extra heat.
- Hot Sauce: A few drops of hot sauce applied to wings before adding the rub can achieve similar spicy results.
9. Honey Powder (Optional)
Honey powder adds a touch of sweetness and balances the smoky and spicy flavors. If unavailable:
- Granulated Sugar: Provides generic sweetness without overpowering the rub’s flavor.
- Liquid Honey: Use actual honey as a drizzle for sweetness after cooking the wings, rather than incorporating it into the rub.
- Agave Syrup Powder: If you can find agave syrup powder, it’s a great alternative that works similarly to honey powder.
Final Thoughts
Wingstop Smoky Chipotle Rub is so versatile—it’s the showstopper that thrives in any meal setting. Pair it with creamy, tangy dips, refreshing drinks, and comfort-food sides to build a balanced feast that wows the senses.
Ingredients
- Chipotle Powder (2 tbsp)
- Smoked Paprika (1 tbsp)
- Brown Sugar (1 tbsp)
- Garlic Powder (2 tsp)
- Onion Powder (1.5 tsp)
- Salt (1.5 tsp)
- Black Pepper (1 tsp)
- Cayenne Pepper (½ tsp, optional)
- Honey Powder (1 tsp)
Instructions
- Measure and Combine the Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, add all the dry spices: chipotle powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Whisk the ingredients together until they’re evenly mixed.
- Taste the Rub: Before using it, give the mixture a small taste. Adjust ingredients as needed—for example, add more brown sugar for sweetness, more chipotle powder for smokiness, or more cayenne for spice.
- Apply the Rub: The Smoky Chipotle Rub works perfectly on chicken wings, tenders, fries, vegetables, or even popcorn!
- For chicken wings or tenders: Pat the wings dry with a paper towel and lightly coat them with oil to help the rub stick.
- Generously sprinkle the rub over the wings, ensuring an even coating on all sides.
- Let the wings sit for at least 15-30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Cook the Wings:
- Oven-baked: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the wings on a baking rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping the cake halfway through the cooking time.
- Air fryer: Cook the wings at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Grill: Grill the wings over medium heat for about 10-12 minutes per side.
- Once cooked, give the wings a final sprinkle of rub for an added layer of flavor.
