Chicken Seasoning

Making a batch of this flavorful Chicken Seasoning means you will always be ready to whip up a quick, delicious meal.

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I love DIY (do-it-yourself) seasoning blends. They eliminate the need to read every label in the seasoning aisle to find the healthiest ones. Creating these mixes at home makes it easy to control what goes into them and, subsequently, what goes into your food. This chicken seasoning recipe is so versatile and aromatic that you will use it over and over again when making your favorite poultry meals.

Homemade seasoning mixes are quick and easy to make. You probably already have everything you need in your pantry or spice rack. Rub this spice blend on a whole roasting chicken, chicken thighs, or any other piece of chicken. I like to use it as a base for chicken wings before covering them with my favorite barbecue sauce.

As-is, this chicken seasoning blend contains salt and spice, lots of herbaceous flavors, and a touch of sweetness in the brown sugar, creating the perfect savory mix for poultry. You can easily customize this recipe by adding other spices such as chili powder, cumin, celery salt, rosemary, parsley, or ground mustard seed. Remember to shake your chicken seasoning mix in the container before each use, as some spices may stick together or settle to the bottom.

Is Chicken Seasoning Healthy?

Making seasoning blends from scratch with dried herbs you have in your pantry is a healthy way to control what you use for cooking. Some commercial spice blends contain fillers, anti-caking agents, and too much sodium. With this recipe, you can customize how much salt you use to suit your dietary needs. While the recipe calls for two teaspoons of salt, you can cut back on that amount without sacrificing flavor. I like to use smoked paprika (instead of normal paprika) when I reduce the salt in this recipe, because you get so much flavor from the smokiness of high-quality paprika that it makes up for the reduced salt, in my opinion.

How To Use Chicken Seasoning For Maximum Flavor

If you are rushed for time, you can season your chicken and cook it immediately. However, if you have the time, it’s best to let the seasoning infuse flavor into the chicken by letting it sit for 15 minutes to two hours. To do that, I recommend patting your chicken dry with a paper towel, drizzling a little olive oil over the chicken, sprinkling on the amount of seasoning you want, and rubbing it all over the chicken.

This spice blend is great for baking, grilling, air-frying, or broiling chicken. The aroma wafting from the kitchen or grill will make your mouth water for this delicious meal.

INGREDIENTS

4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried basil
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons brown sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix

Combine all spices in a bowl.

Store

Keep in an airtight container.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How To Make Ahead And Store

Seasoning mixes such as this are great to make in large batches if you use them frequently. Store the chicken seasoning mix in glass jars or other airtight containers for up to 6 months.

We Like Spicy Food. Can I Make This Recipe Spicier?

The optional cayenne pepper is a great way to kick up the heat in this seasoning blend. You can increase the amount to 1/2 teaspoon if that is what your family likes. Adding some chili powder (up to 1 tablespoon) will help raise the heat level and intensify the flavor, too. Crushed red pepper flakes are also an excellent addition.

Can I Make This Recipe Sugar-Free?

You can omit the sugar if you do not want sweetness in the recipe. The brown sugar can also be replaced with coconut sugar, monk fruit, allulose, or other sweeteners. I have also mixed this blend without sugar, but I add honey or maple syrup when I’m ready to coat my chicken pieces.

Serving Suggestions

Once seasoned with this tasty mixture, there are so many things you can serve alongside your chicken, including Sautéed Vegetables, Vegetable Risotto, Quinoa With Roasted Vegetables, and Air-Fryer Vegetables. It’s also great with Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad, Caesar Pasta Salad, or Sweet Potato Salad when grilling or having a BBQ. This seasoning mix is also great on roasted potatoes. Give it a try for a delightful sheet pan meal of chicken and potatoes.