Chicken Seasoning Blend

Chicken seasonings whisked together in small bowl.

Course: Seasoning

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 5

Calories: 33kcal

Author: Platings and Pairings

This 6-ingredient chicken seasoning mix is the secret to the best-tasting chicken! Easy to make with simple savory-smoky spices, it’s perfect for chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, wings, and more.

Print Recipe

Equipment

Small Bowl
Whisk

Ingredients

1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Combine ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine.

How to season chicken

Before adding the seasonings to the chicken, pat the meat dry with paper towels so the spices stick to the outside.
Sprinkle the spice blend over both sides of the chicken and use your hands to rub the spices into the meat. Make sure all sides are coated evenly but don’t overdo it. A light coating is usually enough to enhance the chicken’s natural flavor without overpowering it.
After seasoning, let the chicken rest for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat. Or, for even better results, refrigerate the seasoned meat for a few hours or overnight.

Notes

***Makes enough to season 1 pound of chicken.

Storing

For the best flavor, I recommend mixing the poultry seasoning spices together right before you start cooking. However, you can make a larger batch and store the leftovers in an airtight container or sealed jar in your pantry or on your spice rack for about 6 months.

Variations

Chicken taco seasoning – Add 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Chicken fajita seasoning – Make the chicken taco seasoning but swap the cayenne for red pepper flakes and the smoked paprika for a tablespoon of sweet paprika.
Chicken wing seasoning – Add a pinch of cayenne, 1 teaspoon of dried parsley, and 1 teaspoon of mustard powder.
Roast chicken seasoning – Add 1 teaspoon of the dried herbs of your choice, like rosemary, thyme, and sage. Some citrus zest, like lemon or orange, would also be great.

Nutrition