Smoky BBQ Seasoning Blend (And Smoky Chicken Cobb Salad)

I found myself reaching for the same mix of spices everytime I made BBQ.  I finally made a blend that’s just how we like.  I buy all of my spices from Penzeys Spices, and once you try them you won’t want to buy them anywhere else either.  Their toasted onion powder alone has changed my cooking.  I love that stuff!
This is a smoky blend and while I use it on things I grill outside because it has a smoky flavor all ready I love it for things cooked on the grill pan inside.  Sprinkle on burgers, or my favorite, on chicken breast, shrimp, or vegetables.

DIY Smoky BBQ Seasoning Blend

1/4 cup smoked paprika
2 T brown sugar (leave out if you want a sugar free version)
2 T garlic powder
2 T toasted onion powder
2 T kosher salt
2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp chili powder (increase for a spicier blend)

Mix all together well and store in a spice jar.

And now for a recipe using it!  This is my favorite way to make cobb salad, but of course you can omit what you want or throw in whatever else you have.
I love the flavor of the chicken so much I don’t even use dressing, or if I do I’ll use a simple oil and vinegar dressing.  The chicken can even be made a day or two ahead of time and kept in the fridge.
SMOKY BBQ CHICKEN COBB SALAD

Chicken breast
Smoky BBQ Seasoning, to taste
Green leaf or romaine lettuce, chopped
Hard boiled eggs, quartered
swiss chesse, cubed
Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Olives
Avocados, chopped
grape tomatoes, halved

Coat chicken breast liberally with seasoning and cook in a grill pan, flipping once, until cooked through.
Let rest for a few minutes, then slice into strips.  Serve with remaining ingredients.

Smoky BBQ Seasoning Blend (And Smoky Chicken Cobb Salad)

January 20, 2015

by Holly

Category Salad / Dressings

Ingredients

DIY Smoky BBQ Seasoning Blend

• 1/4 cup smoked paprika
• 2 T brown sugar (leave out if you want a sugar free version)
• 2 T garlic powder
• 2 T toasted onion powder
• 2 T kosher salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder (increase for a spicier blend)

SMOKY BBQ CHICKEN COBB SALAD

• Chicken breast
• Smoky BBQ Seasoning, to taste
• Green leaf or romaine lettuce, chopped
• Hard boiled eggs, quartered
• swiss chesse, cubed
• Bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Olives
• Avocados, chopped
• grape tomatoes, halved

Instructions

1. Make the spice blend: Mix all together well and store in a spice jar.
2. Coat chicken breast liberally with seasoning and cook in a grill pan, flipping once, until cooked through.
3. Let rest for a few minutes, then slice into strips. Serve with remaining ingredients.