With tons of page views you can see why this chicken seasoning is one of my most popular recipes. With spices from your pantry, this spice mix is the best way to season chicken and make it taste better.
Who is making chicken tonight? “How do I make chicken taste good?” is a question that comes up a lot in the kitchen.
So how do you add flavor to chicken? The easy way is adding a combination of herbs and spices.
I like to put this mix on skinless chicken breasts with a little olive oil or mix it with flour and fry it.
Made with spices already in your pantry, it’s perfect for adding flavor to your chicken tonight! It tastes great on veggies and seafood too!
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People love chicken because it has a mild flavor that works well in many different types of food and cooking methods. It doesn’t taste bad by itself, but without the right spices, it can get boring. Picking the right herbs and spices to go with chicken can turn a normal dish into a truly amazing culinary experience.
This complete guide tells you everything you need to know about seasoning chicken, from the different types of flavors to how to mix spices in the best way. By following these tips, you’ll be able to get the most flavor out of your chicken.
An Overview of Chicken’s Flavor Profile
The mild taste and tender texture of chicken make it a blank canvas for absorbing and enhancing other flavors. Unlike beef or other meats with a more pronounced taste, chicken does not overpower spices. Its receptive nature allows spices to shine through.
Chicken’s mild profile also means that care must be taken to avoid overwhelming it with excessively strong spices. A balanced, nuanced approach usually yields optimal results. By thoughtfully layering spices, herbs, and seasonings, you can create depth and complexity.
The Spice Spectrum for Chicken
With chicken’s versatility, the possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to spices and seasonings. Here is an overview of flavor profiles commonly paired with chicken:
- Smoky – Smoked paprika, chipotle powder, liquid smoke
- Savory – Onion, garlic, parsley, celery seed
- Spicy – Chili powder, cayenne, crushed red pepper
- Herbaceous – Rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, basil
- Citrus – Lemon, lime, orange
- Sweet – Brown sugar, honey, maple syrup
- Salty – Sea salt, soy sauce
- Tangy – Vinegar, mustard, bbq sauce
- Earthy – Cumin, coriander, turmeric
- Warming – Ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice
These represent just a sampling of possibilities. Feel free to be creative and come up with new ways to mix flavors. The key is achieving balance between contrasting taste elements.
Essential Spice and Herb Families for Chicken
It’s helpful to understand spices based on their flavor “families” when combining them. Here are some of the most essential categories:
Herbs
Herbs offer fresh, aromatic qualities that pair beautifully with chicken. Basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, and oregano are especially complementary.
Chili Peppers
From mild to scorching hot, chili peppers can provide anything from a subtle kick to intense heat. Options like paprika, chili powder, and cayenne are popular.
Warming Spices
Warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice lend comforting flavor nuances. They are ideal for autumnal chicken dishes.
Citrus Spices
Lemon and lime zest, in both fresh and dried form, give chicken a bright, tangy boost. They help balance out richer ingredients.
Savory Spices
Onion, garlic, celery seed, and mustard all add umami flavors that make the food taste deeper and more complex.
Earthy Spices
Cumin, coriander, turmeric, and fennel impart an earthy quality, providing a savory base layer of flavor.
Pungent Spices
Black pepper, white pepper, and spicy mustard pack some punch. They accentuate other seasonings.
Tips for Complementing Chicken with Spices
Here are some key tips for using spices to maximize chicken’s flavor potential:
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Rub spices under the skin for enhanced flavor absorption
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Marinate chicken in spice mixtures for tenderizing and infusing effects
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Balance mild and assertive spices to avoid overwhelming chicken
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Layer flavors with spice blends, herbs, aromatics, and fresh ingredients
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Cook low and slow with tougher cuts to allow spice infusion
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Grill over moderate heat to prevent spices like paprika from burning
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Bloom spices like cumin and coriander in oil to intensify their flavors
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Finish with fresh herbs for a final punch of brightness
Recommended Spice Blends for Chicken
Spice blends offer convenience, synergy, and global flavor inspiration. Here are some excellent options:
- Jerk Seasoning – Spicy, herby blend perfect for grilling
- Tandoori Masala – Warming Indian spice mix, great for marinades
- Moroccan Seasoning – Zesty North African blend with cumin and coriander
- Italian Seasoning – Classic herby mix of basil, oregano, rosemary
- Cajun Seasoning – Robust bayou spice blend, perfect for blackening
- 5 Spice Powder – Savory and mildly sweet Chinese blend
- Shawarma Spice – Middle Eastern blend with warm spices like cumin
- Za’atar – Bright Middle Eastern mix with thyme, sesame seeds, sumac
- Garam Masala – Warm, earthy Indian blend with cumin and cinnamon
Final Tips for Cooking with Chicken and Spices
Follow these tips for successful results when seasoning chicken:
- Always taste and adjust spices to your preferences
- Cook a test piece first to check spice flavors
- Keep it simple – 2 to 4 spices often works best
- Toast whole spices like cumin to boost their flavor
- Sprinkle some spices under the skin for maximum infusion
- Brine chicken first for juicier, more flavorful meat
- Use spice rubs on bone-in chicken pieces with more flavor
With the guidelines provided here, you’ll be ready to make kitchen magic with chicken. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new spice blends and combinations. The possibilities for transforming chicken into an unforgettable dining experience are infinite. Happy seasoning!
How To Make Chicken Seasoning
- Put all the spices in a bowl and mix them together with a whisk.
- Keep in a cool, dry place in a container that won’t let air in.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
After you mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl, store it in a cool, dry place. It will last up to 3 months.
I like to keep all my spice blends in glass jars as they are reusable, airtight, and don’t hold the flavors of the previous mixes.
Herbs: basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano.Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, salt.Heat: paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper.
For me, a good rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon per pound of chicken. However, I like to make sure that there aren’t too many empty spots on the meat when I sprinkle it with seasoning. For a whole chicken, roughly 3-4 pounds, I like to use 1/4 cup. However you like to season yours, just be sure to start small. You can always add more but you can’t take it off once it’s on there. Don’t forget that salt and pepper go a long way too!.
It’s best to put dry seasonings on before you cook it. That way, it has time to stick to the chicken and not fall off right away. I like to add mine about 30 minutes before I grill the chicken. You can also sprinkle a little additional seasoning when it comes off the grill. It’s your meat, so season it how you see fit.
Best Way To Season Chicken
The best seasoning can be as easy as grabbing a specific spice rub like Italian seasoning or Greek seasoning, but if you have picky eaters you can go with an all purpose seasoning like this one.
The best part of chicken is that it goes with just about every flavor profile you can think of!.
Made with spices and herbs from your pantry, this easy chicken seasoning creates juicy, tender meat bursting with flavor. This works great for whole chickens, breasts, wings, or thighs when you grill, bake, or roast them.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
- Use only the highest quality spices.
- Check the dates to see when they go bad and buy the freshest ones you can find.
- Rub the oregano, thyme, and parsley together with your fingers to get their oils out and make them stronger.
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My (Formerly Secret) Chicken Seasoning That You Can Make At Home | Chicken Rub Recipe
FAQ
What spices pair well with chicken?
Classic spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper go well with chicken. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano also work well.
What brings out the flavor in chicken?
Almost no spices can be mixed with water well enough to season the inside of a chicken with a brine. Bay, cinnamon, vanilla, and ginger will all work. Apart from those, what you are adding to the muscle fibers by brining is salt water.
What is a nice seasoning for chicken?
Ingredients1 ½ teaspoons sea salt. 1 teaspoon dried basil. 1 teaspoon crushed dried rosemary. ½ teaspoon garlic powder. ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder. ½ teaspoon paprika. ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. ½ teaspoon ground dried thyme.
What spices can you sprinkle on chicken?
WHICH HERBS & SPICES GO BEST WITH CHICKEN?Generally speaking, you can experiment as much as you like with chicken seasonings. Aside from classics like salt, pepper, basil and garlic, you could try using chilli powder, ginger, cumin, cayenne, paprika, oregano, sage, rosemary and thyme.
What spices go well with chicken?
Spices can turn a simple chicken dish into a flavorful and mouthwatering meal. From aromatic herbs to bold spices, there are numerous options to enhance the taste of your chicken. Here, we explore the most popular spices that pair perfectly with chicken: Do you like this article? 1. Garlic Powder 2. Paprika 3. Cayenne Pepper 4. Cumin 5. Thyme 6.
What herbs go with chicken?
What are some of the best herbs to use with chicken? Strong herbs like bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, lemongrass, and sage are all recommendations. You can also use soft herbs for more refreshing flavors including oregano, tarragon, marjoram, parsley, cilantro, and basil.
What spices go well with chicken thighs?
When cooking chicken thighs, I recommend using a pinch of ground cinnamon to get just the right amount of sweet and woody flavor. Cinnamon has a slight citrusy note that pairs especially well with poultry. Plus, its spicy taste is powerful and reminiscent of cloves; it’s the perfect way to add warmth and richness to your dish!
What spices do you put in chicken poop?
It’s a versatile blend of savory spices (plus a little brown sugar) that enhances the natural flavor of chicken and poultry, and helps it caramelize perfectly no matter how I cook it. I mix a delicious blend of salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, 2 kinds of paprika, and oregano to create this DIY spice blend.
What flavor goes well with chicken?
Rosemary can have an overpowering flavor, so use it sparingly. It tends to have a hint of citrus flavor, so try it with lemon or marjoram. Sage is a good flavor to use with chicken, but a little goes a long way. Pair sage with garlic, paprika, parsley, or thyme. Thyme has a similar flavor to marjoram, but without the lemony undertone.
Is salt a good spice for chicken?
The list does not include salt because it is an essential ingredient in whatever you cook rather than a ‘spice’ (unless you avoid it for medical reasons). Other herbs and spices good for chicken dishes include allspice, cardamom, tarragon, mustard, cilantro, and parsley.