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The BEST Chicken Seasoning Blend

My tried and true Chicken Seasoning Blend, prepared with everyday pantry spices, creates the most delicious chicken dishes. It’s the perfect mix that works well with chicken breasts, chicken thighs, and whole rotisserie chicken. 

Seasoning Blend for Chicken

Add Flavor To Chicken With A Seasoning Blend

Spice up the flavor of your chicken recipes with this amazing homemade Chicken Seasoning Blend and say bye-bye to bland chicken for forever and ever! Featuring a mix of smoky and sweet spices with a dash of dried herbs, this chicken seasoning adds loads of flavor with very little work. It’s an easy way to achieve flavorful chicken with a customizable spice level, transforming your dishes easily for maximum, delicious taste.

If you are someone who cooks meats regularly, I suggest making a big batch and storing this seasoning mix in your pantry for all future use. This particular homemade spice mix, doubling as a pork rub, is my absolute go-to for skinless chicken breasts, but it’s good on everything, not just chicken. From pork to fish and even potatoes, it will kick up the flavors by several notches no matter what you use it on. 

Spices and Herbs in a jar

The Best Chicken Seasoning Blend

Homemade seasonings for chicken breasts – or pork and salmon – are essential to have in your pantry, and this recipe has everything you will need. It is an excellent mix of zesty and savory, and none of these spices are hard to find. Most of them are probably sitting in your spice drawer already. For exact quantities, scroll down the page to the recipe card.

Ingredients

  • Salt: I suggest using 1/2 teaspoon of salt or 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, but you should adjust the salt quantity according to your taste or dietary requirements.
  • Fresh ground pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper for the best result. An affordable pepper grinder and whole peppercorns can be found at most supermarkets.
  • Paprika: Depending on your taste, you can use either sweet or smoked paprika.
  • Cayenne pepper: This adds a subtle heat to the chicken. We’re using it sparingly to ensure the chicken isn’t overly spicy. Red pepper flakes, chili powder, or even a Cajun seasoning mix are excellent alternatives.
  • Garlic powder: Added for flavor and aromatics.
  • Onion powder: A key player in achieving the perfect taste.
  • Dried thyme: Herbs add depth to the mix. Italian Seasoning can be substituted.
  • Dried basil: Adds a sweet, aromatic, and peppery flavor.
  • Dried rosemary: Provides a strong, concentrated flavor.
  • Dried parsley: Helps to balance and round out the flavors in the dish.

How To Season Chicken

Once you’ve combined all the ingredients in a small bowl, it’s time to play! Regardless of the cooking method, be it baking, grilling, or pressure-cooking, this dry rub consistently imparts delicious flavor to the chicken.

  • Pat dry the chicken (or any other meat) with paper towels.
  • Next, lightly coat the chicken pieces with a bit of olive oil, which will help the seasoning adhere to the meat. Aim to use about 1 tablespoon of the seasoning blend for every 1 pound of chicken. Rub the spice blend all over the chicken breasts – or any other cut of chicken or meat.
  • While you can cook the chicken immediately, allowing it to marinate in the rub for 30 minutes or up to 12 hours results in a more flavor-packed outcome. If marinating for over an hour, continue the process in the refrigerator.
  • As a food safety precaution, get rid of any remaining rub that has been in touch with the raw chicken or your hands during the process.

Seasoning Guidelines

The quantities given in this recipe are designed to season approximately 6 to 8 chicken breasts or about 2 pounds of chicken. As a general rule, the amount of seasoning needed may vary depending on your taste preference. Use approximately 1 tablespoon of seasoning for each pound of meat as a basic guideline.

Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Breasts - Simple and easy method for how to make perfectly juicy and deliciously seasoned oven baked chicken breasts.

What Tools Do I Need To Make A Seasoning Blend?

To create the best chicken seasoning recipe, you’ll need a few essential tools.

  • Measuring spoons are vital for adding just the right amount of each spice.
  • Mixing bowls provide the space needed to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
  • Spice jars serve as the perfect storage solution, keeping your seasoning blend fresh and ready to use for your next recipe. Airtight containers are a good alternative.

How Long Does Homemade Seasoning Blend Last?

If stored in a spice jar or airtight container and kept in a dark, dry place, this seasoning blend can last up to 3 months. I like to make a larger batch and have it on hand whenever I need a delicious spice rub.

Chicken Seasoning Mix in a jar

More Homemade Spice Blends

Seasoning Blend for Chicken

Chicken Seasoning Blend

Katerina | Diethood
My tried and true Chicken Seasoning Blend prepared with everyday pantry spices creates the most delicious chicken dishes. It’s the perfect mix that works well with chicken breasts, chicken thighs, and whole chicken. 
4.78 from 48 votes
Servings : 6
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley

Instructions
 

  • Stir to combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container or jar for up to 3 months.

Notes

  • This recipe makes 2 Tablespoons of chicken seasoning blend, enough for around 2 pounds of chicken or other meat.
  • Instead of using individual dried herbs like basil, parsley, rosemary, and thyme, you can substitute them with 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Keep in mind, though, that some Italian seasoning blends may contain additional herbs such as sage, rosemary, and fennel seeds.
  • To Use the spice blend, lightly coat the chicken with olive oil and rub the spice blend all over the chicken. Use about one tablespoon of the seasoning mixture for every pound of chicken. 
  • You can marinate the chicken in the dry rub for 30 minutes or up to 12 hours. Refrigerate the chicken if you plan to marinate it for over an hour.

Nutrition

Calories: 2 kcal | Carbohydrates: 0 g | Protein: 0 g | Fat: 0 g | Saturated Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 194 mg | Fiber: 0 g | Sugar: 0 g | Vitamin A: 100 IU | Calcium: 2 mg | Iron: 0.2 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Seasoning, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword: chicken seasoning mix, homemade seasonings, spice rub
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