How to Make Seasoning for Chicken

Chicken is a versatile protein that can be cooked in a lot of different ways. But it doesn’t matter how you cook your chicken—baked, grilled, sautéed, etc. – a tasty mix of spices is what will make your chicken go from bland to great If you make your own chicken seasoning, you can control the flavors and ingredients, and you won’t have to worry about the extras and preservatives that are often in store-bought mixes.

It’s simple, cheap, and easy to make your own seasoning for chicken. In this detailed guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know to always make seasoned chicken that people will want to eat.

Why Make Your Own Chicken Seasoning?

Here are some of the biggest benefits of creating a homemade chicken seasoning rather than buying pre-made

• Control the ingredients. By making it yourself, you decide which herbs, spices, and flavorings to include. This allows you to avoid unwanted ingredients like MSG, preservatives, excessive sodium, etc. found in many store-bought blends.

• Customize the flavor profile. You can make the blend taste the way you like it by changing how much garlic, chili powder, cumin, and other spices are added. You can choose how mild or spicy it is.

• Save money. Purchasing individual spices and herbs in bulk is much cheaper than buying pre-made seasoning packets. A homemade blend yields far more for your money.

• Use fresher spices. Spices lose potency over time. By making seasoning as needed, you can ensure the ingredients are as fresh and flavorful as possible.

• Make it fast. A batch of homemade chicken seasoning that will flavor more than one meal can be made in just 5 to 10 minutes.

Chicken Seasoning Ingredient Breakdown

Chicken seasoning typically contains a mixture of dried herbs, spices, and salt. Here’s an overview of common chicken seasoning ingredients and what they contribute:

• Salt – Enhances existing flavors and helps seasoning adhere to meat. Kosher or sea salt provide the purest salt flavor.

• Black pepper – Adds warmth and bite. Freshly ground is best for maximum aroma.

• Paprika – Provides rich color, mild sweetness and subtle heat (use smoked paprika for extra depth).

• Garlic and onion powder – Offer aromatic, savory flavor crucial for chicken.

• Dried herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary – Contribute concentrated herby flavors.

• Spices like cumin, thyme, coriander – Layer in complementary flavors and aromatics.

• Chili powder – Brings mild to intense heat depending on amount used.

• Cumin – Earthy, nutty flavor popular in Mexican and Southwest cuisine.

• Ginger – Adds bright, citrusy heat.

You can create all sorts of blends by playing around with proportions of these ingredients. Start simple with salt, pepper and paprika, then add herbs and spices to suit your taste.

Simple All-Purpose Homemade Chicken Seasoning

This straightforward blend delivers incredible flavor using just five standard pantry spices. Adjust to your taste by adding more or less of any of the ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to blend evenly.
2. Transfer to an airtight container. Store in a cool dry place for up to 3 months.
3. To use – rub or sprinkle liberally over chicken before cooking. Generally 1-2 tablespoons per pound of chicken.

Sprinkle this versatile blend over chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks or wings. It’s fantastic on a whole roasted chicken too! The seasoning delivers big flavor without the need to marinate chicken first.

Tips for Making Your Own Signature Chicken Seasoning

Once you get the hang of putting together a basic blend, you can start customizing your own signature seasoning.

• Think about flavor profiles – What cuisine flavors do you want to emulate? Jerk? Italian? Lemon pepper? Cajun?

• Consider the cooking method – Grilling, smoking, roasting and pan frying all benefit from slightly different seasoning approaches.

• Include a mix of spices – For depth of flavor, use 3-5 spices as base flavors, then layer on herbs, peppers, garlic, citrus zest, etc.

• Mind the salt – Salt enhances other flavors, but be cautious of blends with very high sodium. Omit added salt and season to taste.

• Play with proportions – Make a batch with approximate measurements, then tweak and customize in subsequent versions.

• Label spice blends – Carefully labeling each creation with ingredients and ratios helps replicate successful blends.

• Store properly – Keep away from light, heat, and moisture to maximize freshness and shelf life.

With a bit of experimentation, you can develop amazing signature blends to use anytime you’re cooking chicken. Track ingredients and ratios so you can duplicate particularly delicious batches.

Handy Equipment for Making Chicken Seasoning

You don’t need any fancy tools to make homemade chicken seasoning. These basic kitchen items help streamline the process:

• Small bowls – For blending seasoning ingredients.

• Spoon or whisk – To thoroughly combine spices.

• Funnel – For cleanly transferring seasoning into containers.

• Measuring spoons – To accurately portion spices and herbs.

• Mortar and pestle – To crush whole dried spices and peppercorns.

• Labels – For properly storing and identifying your blends.

• Airtight containers – To keep homemade seasonings fresh for months. Glass jars or plastic containers with tight lids work well.

Storing and Preserving Homemade Chicken Seasoning

Like any dried spice blend, homemade chicken seasoning has optimal flavor when freshly made. But you can extend its shelf life by proper storage.

• Keep seasoning blends in airtight containers in a cool, dry, dark place. Light, heat and humidity hasten deterioration.

• Glass jars make ideal storage vessels. If using plastic, opt for BPA-free containers.

• Write the date on labels so you know when batches were made. Use oldest blends first.

• Give seasoning a sniff test periodically. Discard if aroma seems dull or seasoning tastes flat.

• For maximum freshness and flavor, try making smaller batches you’ll use within 2-3 months rather than large batches.

Following these tips, homemade chicken seasoning will retain its potency and aroma for many months after mixing. A quick shake or stir before each use helps re-distribute flavors within the blend.

Recipes to Inspire Your Own Chicken Seasoning Creations

Once you realize how easy and rewarding it is to make your own chicken seasoning, you’ll want to experiment with unique flavor ideas. These recipes offer inspiration:

Mexican Chicken Seasoning

Ingredients: Cumin, chili powder, coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne pepper

Jerk Chicken Seasoning

Ingredients: Brown sugar, allspice, thyme, garlic powder, onions, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves

Italian Chicken Seasoning

Ingredients: Oregano, basil, rosemary, sage, parsley, garlic powder, fennel seeds

Moroccan Chicken Seasoning

Ingredients: Coriander, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper

Lemon-Dill Chicken Seasoning

Ingredients: Lemon zest, dried dill, salt, garlic powder, onion powder

Tandoori Chicken Seasoning

Ingredients: Paprika, cumin, turmeric, ginger, garlic, garam masala, cayenne

Mix and match from these global flavor profiles or come up with your own unique combinations. Part of the fun is customizing blends to suit your taste and cuisine preferences.

Get Creative with Homemade Chicken Seasoning

Whipping up flavorful homemade chicken seasoning is easy, fast and fun. You control the ingredients, save money, and can customize blends to match your taste and cooking style.

Experiment with endless herb, spice and flavoring combinations to come up with signature blends. Proper storage keeps them fresh for months.

So ditch the generic store-bought packets, break out your best spices and start crafting your own crave-worthy chicken seasoning today. Your tastebuds will thank you!