Chicken Seasoning

This really is the best chicken seasoning recipe! Make this mix of common spices to take your chicken to the next level.

Want to season chicken to perfection? Here’s our very best chicken seasoning recipe, a mix of common spices that make a symphony of flavor! We first tried this on baked chicken thighs and couldn’t believe how irresistibly juicy and savory-spiced they came out. You can use it on any cut of chicken with any cooking method you like. Come, experience the magic!

Ingredients in the best chicken seasoning

This really is the best seasoning for chicken, in our opinion, because it brings loads of savory flavor with a handful of spices you might already have on hand. If you’re not stocking them already, they’re standard spices you’ll use often in other recipes. Here are the 7 spices you’ll need for this chicken seasoning recipe:

• Smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dried thyme
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Allspice
• Kosher salt

Notes on smoked paprika

You can certainly substitute sweet paprika in this chicken seasoning, but it’s absolutely worth snapping up a jar of smoked paprika for the flavor punch it packs. Smoked paprika is a Spanish style of paprika made up of dried pimiento peppers that that are smoked over a fire, then ground. This adds a unique smoky depth to the seasoning, and you can use it in many recipes (like these 20 Smoked Paprika Recipes).

Keep in mind that smoked paprika may be labeled as any of the following on the shelves at the grocery store: pimentón, Spanish smoked paprika or sweet smoked paprika. Make sure to avoid hot smoked paprika: it’s very spicy and not interchangeable.

How to season chicken

To mix up a batch of this chicken seasoning, head to the recipe below. Then you’re ready to season chicken! This blend has some salt, but you’ll need to use the seasoning in combination with salt for perfectly seasoned meat. Here’s what to do:

• Pat the chicken dry.
• Sprinkle on 1 tablespoon chicken seasoning and ½ teaspoon kosher salt for every 1 pound of chicken (boneless). If using skin-on chicken, rub the seasoning under the skin as well.
• If desired, place in the refrigerator and marinate at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
• Cook according to your desired method, like grilled, baked, pan seared, roasted, or rotisserie.

Ways to cook chicken

You can use this chicken seasoning on any cut of chicken you like: breasts, thighs, legs, wings, or a whole chicken. Here is how to use it with a few methods for cooking chicken:

• Grilled Chicken: Follow the instructions in this recipe but substitute 1 tablespoon seasoning and ½ teaspoon kosher salt for the listed seasonings.
• Pan Seared Chicken: Swap in 1 tablespoon of the seasoning and ½ teaspoon kosher salt for the seasonings in this recipe.
• Baked Chicken Thighs: This recipe uses a modified version of the seasoning, so follow the chicken thighs recipe.
• Rotisserie Chicken: Use 3 tablespoons seasoning and 1 tablespoon kosher salt in place of the seasonings in this recipe.

Chicken seasoning storage

This chicken seasoning blend stores well: make up a double batch and keep the leftovers for using with all your chicken recipes! This blend lasts for 6 months to 1 year if stored in a cool, dry place.

More seasoning blends

This chicken seasoning is one in a long list of other homemade seasoning blends! Here are few more seasonings you can make at home:

• Try our Best Seafood Seasoning, which works with salmon, seafood, and more!
• Make homemade Cajun Seasoning or Blackened Seasoning
• Go for DIY Old Bay Seasoning
• Try Italian Seasoning or Greek Seasoning
• Mix up Fajita Seasoning or Taco Seasoning

01

Seafood Seasoning

02

Cajun Seasoning

03

Italian Seasoning

04

Taco Seasoning

This chicken seasoning recipe is…

Gluten-free.

Print