The Best Chicken Seasoning

The best all-purpose chicken seasoning recipe for delicious, next-level chicken wings, breasts, legs, thighs, etc., at a moment’s notice!

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 homemade chicken rub is packed with flavor to create low-effort chicken dishes the entire family will love!

What Is the Best Chicken Seasoning?

Chicken seasoning, unsurprisingly, is a seasoning blend of assorted dried herbs and spices made specifically to season and enhance the flavor of any cut of chicken (and other poultry). You can also use it in stuffing recipes and it has an aromatic, savory, and sometimes smoky and/or subtly sweet flavor.

While there are plenty of brands that make their own pre-made chicken seasoning blends and “poultry seasoning,” I far prefer to make the homemade good chicken seasoning for several reasons.

1. Sodium control: You can control how much salt you add to homemade chicken spices blend.
2. Ingredient control: You can easily tweak ingredient ratios, adjust heat levels, and even omit flavors you dislike.
3. No additives: Homemade chicken breast seasoning only requires salt, pepper, and several dried herbs and spices.
4. Cost-effective: This can depend on what you already have in your spice cupboard. But this homemade dry rub for chicken wings, thighs, and more, can definitely work out cheaper if most ingredients are already there.
5. Minimal time: It takes just minutes to prepare this chicken spice blend. Along with the above benefits, it is well worth the effort. This chicken spice blend adds a ton of flavor with very little work required.

My taco seasoning, French fry seasoning, and shawarma seasoning are other of my favorite homemade seasoning mixes.

What to Season Chicken With

Not to toot my own horn, but this is honestly the best chicken seasoning recipe I’ve tasted. Hopefully, you’ll agree with what seasonings to put on chicken! Best of all, you’re likely to already have most of these common ingredients in your kitchen.

• The Spices: I’ve selected the best spices for chicken to create the best overall seasoning for chicken.
  • Garlic powder and onion powder – highly aromatic and flavorful. Both are a must!
  • Chili powder – Mild, medium, or hot – it’s up to you. Use cayenne pepper for more heat.
  • Dried Thyme – Earthy, woodsy, citrusy flavor.
  • Dried Basil – Subtly sweet and savory, peppery flavor.
  • Dried Rosemary – Aromatic with piney, peppery, lemony flavor.
  • Ground mustard seeds – Have a faint spiciness, like mustard.
  • Paprika – You can use sweet or smoked paprika.
  • Ground cumin – warm, earthy, and packed with flavor.
• Salt & black pepper: I recommend using kosher salt or sea salt for the best flavor in this chicken seasoning blend. Otherwise, use less if using regular table salt.
  Celery salt will work for additional flavor. Adjust the amount to taste.
  White pepper will also work in place of black pepper.
• Brown sugar: This will add a subtle flavor depth to the seasoning for chicken without tasting too sweet. As a bonus, sugar also helps to tenderize meat slightly and will caramelize the outside of the chicken.

Top Tip: Make sure the herbs and spices you use are fresh. The older they get, the milder their flavor, and the overall flavor balance will be off in this seasoning mix for chicken.

How To Make Dry Rub Seasoning for Chicken?

Simply combine all the chicken dry rub ingredients in a small bowl or jar, mix/whisk, and store the combined spice mix in an airtight container!

I highly recommend making a double or even triple batch if you cook chicken often.

How to Season Chicken For Cooking?

You might think it’s as simple as tossing the spice blend with your chicken cuts of choice (chicken wings, chicken thighs, breast, drumsticks, whole chickens, etc.). But there is a method for how to dry rub chicken. So all your chicken recipes for game day will be perfect.

1. First, use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry and transfer it to a bowl/dish.

There’s no need to wash your chicken beforehand. This can cause harmful bacteria to splash and spread across your kitchen surfaces.

2. Then, sprinkle the best seasoning for chicken (aka this one) over the chicken, using your hands (with or without gloves) to gently rub it into the meat and ensure it’s evenly spread.

If you’re using chicken with skin, it can help to rub some under the skin to flavor the meat more. I like to mix it with butter to rub under the skin when making whole roasted chicken.

3. Allow it to sit for the flavors to meld for at least 15 minutes, though I highly recommend 1-2 hours if you have the time.

You can then cook the meat with your cooking method of choice: baking, grilling, pan-frying, air fried, Instant Pot, etc., and the results will be delicious every time!

How Long Does Homemade Chicken Seasoning Last

As a general rule, the shelf life of any homemade spice blend is only as long as your oldest spice allows, which is why you should always use fresh herbs and spices.

Store the chicken spices blend in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark, dry location like a pantry or kitchen cupboard for 4-6 months for optimal flavor and freshness. It will last longer but will become less potent over time.

Make sure to shake the container each time before using it.

FAQs

More Spice Blends

• Dukkah
• Traditional Lebanese Zaatar Blend (za’atar)
• Simple Mexican Seasoning (Mexican Spice Blend)
• How To Make Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Best Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning

If you try this easy homemade chicken seasoning recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts/questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!