HEAVENLY HELL: Cluckin Hell Hot Chicken Rub – 150g

Turn every bird into a headline act

Cluckin Hell is the multi-award-winning hot chicken rub and fried-chicken seasoning out of Currumbin — built for cooks who reckon a chook should never be boring. It lays down proper heat and a deep, savoury crust in one shake, on the grill or in the fryer. If you take your poultry seriously, this is the one that earns a permanent spot by the cooktop.

The flavour

Straight up it's savoury and smoky, with a garlicky, peppery backbone that grabs the skin. Through the middle the chilli warmth climbs — not a stunt, a genuine building heat — while a subtle sweetness keeps it moreish. It finishes long and toasty, the kind of lingering burn that has you reaching for the next piece.

How to cook with it

• Coat chicken thighs or Marylands generously and grill hot and fast for a blistered, spicy skin.
• Dust wings straight before they hit the fire, then toss again the moment they come off for a double hit.
• Buttermilk-brine drumsticks overnight, dredge in seasoned flour spiked with Cluckin Hell, and fry for Currumbin-style hot fried chicken.
• Season a whole spatchcocked bird and roast until the skin crackles and the heat sinks into the meat.
• Rogue move: shake it over hot chips, popcorn chicken or buttered corn for an instant flavour bomb.

In the shaker

A rust-red, medium-coarse blend that clings to skin and drumsticks without clumping. Shake it on and you can see the paprika-deep colour build straight away — it blooms into a dark, spicy crust on the heat.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients (Heavenly Hell's published list): Smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic, onion, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, mustard, smoked poblano, cracked black pepper, basil, chipotle, sage, lemon, chicken stock (Salt, sugar, dehydrated vegetables 11.7% (celery, onion, carrot, garlic, parsley), maltodextrin, maize starch, yeast extract, spices, flavour (chicken), extra virgin olive oil, 1%, dried chicken meat extract 1%), dill, cumin, rosemary, pink pepper, celery seed, thyme, herbs & spices. Heavenly Hell state the blend is 100% natural with no added MSG, no fillers and preservative & additive free. Recipes can change — always check the physical label.

Contains: mustard (listed ingredient).

Dietary: No added MSG, no fillers, preservative & additive free; no gluten source declared — always check the physical label.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Word from the docks: a hot bird wants a sweet mate and a sharp one. Glaze your wings late with Taipan BBQ Competition Glaze so the sugar tames the fire, then serve a dab of Drunken Sailor Raspberry & Wasabi Mustard on the side to cut clean through it. Toss the wings the second they leave the heat — the rub grips best while the skin's still sizzling.

FAQ

How hot is Cluckin Hell? Properly hot — a building chilli heat rather than a novelty burn, balanced by a savoury, smoky base so flavour leads and the heat follows.

Is it just for chicken? No. It's built for poultry and fried chicken, but it's a cracker on hot chips, popcorn chicken, corn and even a spicy burger.

Does it contain MSG or gluten? Heavenly Hell state no added MSG, no fillers, preservative & additive free and 100% natural. No gluten source is declared, but always check the physical label if you're sensitive.