There are probably millions of ways to season chicken with dry rubs, brines, marinades, and sauces. But it’s always a good idea to have a simple yet delicious all-purpose chicken seasoning ready to use at any moment. This spice blend is a delicate mix of aromatics and heat and is perfect to use on wings, breasts, legs, and thighs. It’s become my go-to, low-effort way to add flavor and color to my chicken when I need a delicious dinner in a hurry – it’s a staple on my spice rack. Dare I say it – this is the best seasoning for chicken out there. Plus, it’s completely adaptable – you can mix and match the spices you have to hand and make a homemade chicken seasoning you’ll keep coming back to.
What Do You Season Chicken with
The best spices for chicken tend to use a balance of both herbs and spices, brought together to enhance the flavor of the meat specifically. Depending on your palate, you can lean more toward an aromatic blend or a smoky, subtly sweet flavor. Sure, you can buy it at the grocery store, but I find making a simple seasoning at home is not only more budget-friendly, but means you can control what goes in – especially the sodium levels. The best spices for chicken seasoning, I find, are:
Salt and Pepper, Paprika – Smoked, hot, or mild – they all work for this recipe. Dried Oregano: You can also use dried thyme, basil, parsley, or rosemary – I like to make my own from fresh for the ultimate flavor. But they can also be bought pre-dried from the grocery store. Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These are strong aromatics and great for adding depth of flavor to chicken.
And here are some optional add-ins I sometimes love adding:
For sweetness and caramelization: white or brown sugar works well with chicken seasoning. For different levels of heat: chili powder, cayenne pepper, celery salt, or white pepper For more spiciness: ground mustard seeds, or ground cumin.
You want to make sure your herbs and spices are as fresh/new as possible because they get milder in flavor over time – and you want maximum flavor for this seasoning.
How to Season Chicken
Add all your ingredients to a small bowl or a jar, adjusting amounts based on your taste. Mix or whisk well. If you’re using straight away, there’s a simple way to infuse your chicken seasoning blend with your meat:
Use a paper towel to pat your chicken dry and transfer it into a clean bowl or dish. You don’t need to wash your chicken – contrary to popular myth. It can cause harmful bacteria to splash onto your sink and surfaces. Sprinkle the chicken seasoning over the meat and using your hands (with or without gloves), gently rub it into the meat. I tend to use 1 tablespoon of seasoning mix per pound of chicken, but you can use more or less depending on your tastes. If your chicken still has skin, rub some underneath the skin for more flavor. It’s great mixed with a little melted butter and poured over a whole chicken before roasting. Allow the flavors to meld together for at least 15 minutes – but I like to leave it for up to 2 hours. It will make for flavorful chicken and give it a beautiful deep red color.
Cook and enjoy! This chicken seasoning will work with most cooking methods – whether you’re roasting, grilling, pan-frying, or air frying.
How to Store Chicken Seasoning
Keep your chicken spice mix in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dark, dry location. It’s perfect for keeping in the pantry or with your other herbs and spices. As a general rule of thumb, a spice mix like this will only keep for as long as your oldest herb or spice allows. This is why I always like to use fresh ingredients. Chicken seasoning will keep for 4-6 months – this is when it’ll be at its freshest and deliver the most flavor. Before using, give your jar of seasoning a good shake to dislodge any mix that might have gotten stuck together.
More Recipes
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If you try this chicken spice mix recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
