Grilled Dry Rub Chicken Legs | Air Fryer Chicken Legs with Homemade Dry Rub Spice Mix
Author: 
Recipe type: Main
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2 Servings
 
Ingredients
  • Chicken drumsticks/leg - 6, skinless & bone-in
  • Olive oil to spray or brush the chicken
For dry rub:
  • Onion powder - 1 tsp
  • Garlic powder - 1 tsp
  • Coriander powder - 1 tsp
  • Red chilli powder/paprika - 1 tsp
  • Brown sugar - 1 tbsp
  • Dried basil - 1 tsp
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cornflour/cornstarch - 2 tbsp
Instructions
  1. Wash and pat dry the chicken drumsticks. You may poke the thickest part of the meat with the edge of a sharp knife to let the spices go deep inside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, first add the dry spices - onion powder, garlic powder, coriander powder, chilli powder, brown sugar, dried basil and salt & pepper.
  3. Give a good mix ensuring the brown sugar is not clumped together and everything gets mixed up to make a homogeneous spice rub.
  4. Then add the cornflour and give another good mix using a wire whisk. Your dry rub spice mix must be evenly mixed with no lumps; so take time here without rushing.
  5. Once you are happy with the dry rub, drop the chicken legs into the spice mix and start coating each leg with the spices. You can do it using your hand or a spatula.
  6. After mixing them for about 5 minutes or so, spray or drizzle about a tablespoon of oil over the chicken legs. Give another good mix for 2 to 3 minutes.
  7. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes allowing them to absorb all the flavors.
  8. When you are ready to grill, preheat your air fryer at 190 C / 375 F and set the timer to 25 minutes. Spray oil over the bottom surface of the air fryer basket.
  9. Once the air fryer is preheated, transfer the dry rubbed chicken legs to the air fryer basket placing them in a single layer.
  10. Spray oil over the chicken legs and start air frying them until halfway through cooking time. Then take the basket out.
  11. Flip over each chicken leg, spray oil over the flipped side and return the basket to the air fryer to continue air frying for remaining cooking time.
  12. After about 25 minutes your grilled dry rub chicken legs should be completely cooked through. You can check the doneness by cutting the thickest part of meat with the edge of a knife.
  13. If the meat cuts through easily and the juices run clear without any trace of pink, your chicken is ready to serve!
  14. Transfer the grilled dry rub chicken legs to a serving platter and sprinkle chilli flakes for some added kick! Serve them up with fresh salads on the side! Enjoy!
Recipe by Flavor Quotient at https://flavorquotient.com/2025/12/grilled-dry-rub-chicken-legs/