Chicken is a lean versatile protein that’s a staple in many households. However plain chicken can quickly become boring and bland. Luckily, there are countless ways to add flavor and transform plain chicken into a mouthwatering meal.
In this comprehensive guide, we will share 15 simple yet delicious ways to make plain chicken taste amazing. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or entertaining guests, these flavor-boosting tips will take your chicken dishes from dull to delightful.
Marinate for Maximum Flavor
A marinade is one of the easiest ways to infuse chicken with flavor. Allowing chicken to soak in a marinade breaks down its proteins, making the meat extra moist and tender.
Some simple, tasty marinade ideas include:
- Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs like oregano or thyme.
- Soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and honey for an Asian twist.
- Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and Italian herbs.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of marinating time, but for maximum impact, marinate chicken overnight in the fridge You’ll be rewarded with juicy, flavor-packed chicken
Season Generously
One of the keys to making plain chicken taste great is being generous with herbs, spices, and seasoning.
Some flavorful seasoning combinations to try:
- Lemon pepper, paprika, dried parsley, and garlic powder.
- Chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and lime zest.
- Italian seasoning blend, parsley, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes.
Pat chicken dry before seasoning so the flavors stick. Rub or sprinkle seasonings evenly over all sides of the chicken. The bolder, the better!
Give It a Crispy Coating
A crunchy coating adds delicious texture and flavor to otherwise bland chicken. Some easy, tasty coating ideas include:
- Ground crackers, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning.
- Crushed cornflakes or crispy rice cereal for a satisfying crunch.
- Shredded coconut flakes lend subtle sweetness.
- Crushed nuts like almonds, pecans or walnuts.
Dip chicken in egg wash, then coat evenly in your crispy topping. Bake until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
Grill It
Grilling is one of the most flavorful ways to cook chicken. The dry heat helps create a caramelized exterior that adds depth of flavor. Grilled chicken also has great char marks for visual appeal.
Before grilling, marinate chicken or rub it with oil and seasoning. Grill over direct medium-high heat for 4-6 minutes per side until cooked through. For extra flavor, try grilling lemon, lime, or onion wedges alongside the chicken.
Roast It
Roasting chicken in the oven concentrates its flavors and allows the natural juices to caramelize for delicious results.
Season chicken all over with salt, pepper and spices like paprika, garlic powder or thyme. Roast at 400°F for 25-35 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. For added moisture, try roasting lemons, oranges or onions with the chicken.
Sauté It
Sautéing chicken in a skillet allows you to cook it in flavorful fat while creating delicious browning on the outside.
Try sautéing chicken in butter, olive oil or bacon drippings over medium-high heat until browned. For extra flavor, add aromatics like garlic, shallots or ginger. Deglaze the pan with wine or broth to make an easy pan sauce.
Smother It in Sauce
A flavorful sauce is an easy way to take chicken from bland to bold. Some tasty sauce ideas include:
- Barbecue sauce – sweet, tangy and smoky.
- Teriyaki – salty, sweet and umami.
- Creamy tomato sauce – rich, herby and bright.
- Peanut or almond sauce – nutty and savory.
Brush sauce over chicken several times during baking or grilling. Or simmer chicken right in the sauce on the stovetop or bake in the oven.
Stuff It
Stuffing chicken breasts or thighs is a great way to add flavorful fillings. Some delicious stuffing ideas:
- Feta, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Cream cheese, herbs, and caramelized onions.
- Goat cheese, pine nuts, and basil.
- Mozzarella, roasted peppers, and pesto.
Pound chicken to an even thickness, cut a pocket and stuff with your favorite flavored fillings. Secure closed with toothpicks. Bake, grill or pan-fry until chicken is cooked through.
Pair It with Flavor Bombs
Cooking chicken alongside ingredients with big, bold flavors allows everything to mingle together deliciously. Some suggestions:
- Roasted vegetables – onion, garlic, bell peppers, zucchini.
- Hearty mushrooms – portobello, cremini, shiitake.
- Tangy citrus – lemons, limes, oranges.
- Fresh herbs – rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley.
Roast a whole chicken surrounded by lemons, onions and herbs. Or sauté chicken alongside mushrooms and peppers. Let the flavors infuse into the chicken as it cooks.
Use Flavorful Liquids
Braising or poaching chicken in flavor-packed liquids is an easy trick. The chicken soaks up all the delicious flavors. Try:
- Wine or beer for depth.
- Broths infused with herbs and aromatics.
- Coconut milk for creamy, subtle sweetness.
- Fruity juices like pineapple, orange or apple.
Gently simmer chicken until just cooked through for juicy, tender meat infused with flavor. Turn the poaching liquid into a sauce for serving.
Opt for Bone-In Chicken
Chicken cooked on the bone has more flavor and moisture than boneless. The bones add richness to any dish and help keep the meat succulent. Opt for bone-in chicken breasts, thighs or drumsticks for the best flavor and texture.
Cook Low and Slow
Long, low-temperature cooking breaks down chicken’s proteins, making it incredibly tender and helping concentrate its flavors. Methods like braising, stewing or slow cooking result in mouthwateringly moist, flavorful chicken.
Try cooking chicken for 1-2 hours in a flavorful sauce or stew until fall-off-the-bone tender. The gentle heat allows flavors to meld beautifully.
Use Umami-Rich Ingredients
Umami-rich ingredients like soy sauce, tomatoes, mushrooms and Parmesan cheese add savory depth and mouthwatering flavor to chicken dishes.
Sauté mushrooms and stir in soy sauce to make a rich umami pan sauce. Roast chicken topped with tomato sauce and Parmesan. Add a splash of fish sauce or Worcestershire sauce to chicken before cooking.
Finish with Flavor Toppers
Adding flavorful toppings provides taste and texture contrast to chicken. Crunchy, creamy, tangy and herbaceous toppers all work well. Ideas include:
- Toasted nuts – almonds, walnuts, pine nuts.
- Tangy cheese – feta, goat cheese, Parmesan.
- Fresh herbs – cilantro, parsley, chives.
- Crispy bacon bits.
- Dollops of pesto or hummus.
- Balsamic or pomegranate glaze.
Pair with Complementary Sides
Well-chosen sides can bring out the best in chicken while rounding out your meal deliciously. Bright, fresh sides help cut the richness of chicken. Consider:
- A fresh green salad with vinaigrette.
- Roasted, grilled or steamed veggies.
- Grains like rice, quinoa, or couscous.
- Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes.
With so many options for making plain chicken shine, you’ll never have a boring chicken dinner again! Start with a few of these simple yet powerful flavor-building techniques to transform chicken into crave-worthy cuisine.
Chicken Seasoning Recipe Ingredients
- Brown Sugar: The brown sugar helps to caramelize the outside of the chicken, which makes it especially juicy and flavorful. It also adds a touch of sweetness, which my family thinks is delicious. If you prefer a seasoning without sugar, you can omit the brown sugar.
- Paprika: You can use sweet paprika or smoked paprika, depending on your flavor preferences. Smoked paprika will lend a smoky flavor.
- Dried Oregano: Or try Italian seasoning, which is also delicious in this recipe.
- Garlic Powder: For flavor.
- Onion Powder: For flavor.
- Salt: I always err on the side of using less salt to keep my recipes on the healthy side. You can adjust the amount of salt to your tastes and dietary needs.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper will give you the best flavor. You can buy an inexpensive pepper grinder with whole peppercorns at most grocery stores.
- Cayenne Pepper: For a bit of heat. We’re using a small amount, so that the chicken won’t be too spicy.
Recipe Variation:
- You can add 2 teaspoons of chili powder to this recipe for a bit of Tex-Mex flavor.
The Best Chicken Seasoning
This chicken seasoning is extremely versatile! You can use it to season just about any cut of chicken, including chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken tenders, chicken drumsticks, or when cooking a whole rotisserie chicken, such as this Instant Pot Whole Chicken or Crockpot Whole Chicken.
The Best Chicken Breast You’ll Ever Make (Restaurant-Quality) | Epicurious 101
FAQ
How to make plain chicken taste good?
- Cook them right. Most people get scared and overcook chicken breasts, cooking out all the moisture and leaving them tough and dry. …
- Marinate them. …
- Cut them thin. …
- Fry them. …
- Stuff them. …
- Shred them. …
- Use the right pan.
What can I add to chicken to make it tasty?
Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure. This Middle Eastern spice rub is delicious when charred on the grill.
How to flavour plain cooked chicken?
Consider fresh rosemary and lemon slices. Or white wine and rosemary. Or sprinkle spices (paprika, garlic powder, salt and black pepper … or paprika, and a touch of cinnamon, and ginger, plus some salt and black pepper). Chinese spices, soy sauce, etc. Middle Eastern flavors. Or bake it with BBQ sauce.
How to make plain chicken interesting?
Slice or dice the chicken and add to your favorite pasta, such as fettuccine alfredo, spaghetti marinara, peanut noodles or chow mein. Stuffed in tacos or enchiladas. Shred or dice the chicken to make chicken tacos, such as these quick and easy chicken tinga tacos or chicken enchiladas. Stuffed into wraps or pitas.
What does roasted chicken taste like?
A perfectly roasted chicken offers browned crispy skin over moist and tender white and dark meat. While on the surface it’s a simple dish, it’s not always easy to make sure your chicken is properly cooked and packed with flavor. Here, we’ve put together a few tips that will help you get the most out of your roast chicken.
Is butter good for roast chicken?
Butter makes everything better, including roast chicken. With its satisfying fat and silky sweet flavor, butter is an excellent ingredient to use both on its own or as a vessel for other elements like herbs and spices. Once butter is softened, it’s easy to mix with just about anything, and can then be rubbed all over the chicken before cooking.
What makes a great roasted chicken?
Versatile chicken can be prepared in so many ways and all of them are tasty — frying, poaching, grilling, you name it — but there’s something about roasting that brings out the best in this bird. A perfectly roasted chicken offers browned crispy skin over moist and tender white and dark meat.
Should you put hot sauce on chicken?
It’s also a great option if you’re cooking for a group of people who may have different tastes — instead of giving your chicken a spicy glaze or marinade, for example, you can serve an array of hot sauces on the side so people can adjust their chicken to match their heat preferences.
Can you put butter on chicken?
Spice blends, mined fresh herbs, chopped garlic, hot sauce — any flavors you want to add to your chicken can be added in the form of butter. While you can rub butter on the exterior of the chicken, you’ll get better results spreading it between the meat and the skin.
Should you serve roasted chicken with a sauce?
So your chicken has been brined, seasoned, and properly roasted — what if you’re still yearning for more flavor? Serving roast chicken with a sauce on the side, or a selection of different sauces, can add not only an extra pop of flavor, but more moisture and texture as well.