Chicken can often seem bland and flavorless on its own While baking or pan-frying chicken breast produces a healthy protein, the taste leaves much to be desired. Fortunately, there are many easy ways to add flavor to chicken without adding extra calories or fat
Seasonings
Seasonings are a quick and easy way to add a ton of flavor to chicken without adding any calories. Try rubbing or sprinkling chicken with:
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Salt and pepper – These basic seasonings enhance the chicken’s flavor Go light on the salt to reduce sodium,
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Italian seasoning – This blend usually contains basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme for a robust Italian flavor.
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Cajun seasoning – The blend of paprika, garlic, onion, and cayenne pepper gives chicken a spicy kick.
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Chili powder – For a Tex-Mex inspired flavor, use ancho or regular chili powder.
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Cumin – This earthy spice is perfect for Mexican and Southwest cuisine.
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Garlic powder and onion powder – These amp up the flavor without fresh garlic or onions.
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Paprika – For a touch of smokiness without any effort, use smoked paprika.
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Poultry seasoning – Sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, and nutmeg make a classic seasoning blend for all poultry.
Herbs and Spices
Using fresh or dried herbs and spices is an easy way to add flavor to chicken recipes:
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Rosemary – This pungent, slightly piney herb is great in chicken dishes like pasta or roasted potatoes.
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Thyme – For an earthy flavor, use thyme in chicken soups, stews, and skillet dishes.
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Oregano – With its zesty, peppery taste, oregano shines in Greek and Italian chicken recipes.
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Basil – Its sweet yet minty taste brightens up chicken salads, pizza, and pasta.
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Cilantro – This flavorful herb is a must for Mexican and Southwestern cuisine.
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Chili peppers – For spicy chicken, use peppers like chipotle chilies in adobo sauce or dried chilies.
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Ginger – Fresh or ground ginger adds warmth and brightness to chicken stir-fries or curries.
Acidic Ingredients
Ingredients like citrus, tomatoes, and vinegar brighten up the flavor of chicken without extra calories:
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Lemon – Lemon juice or zest gives chicken a fresh, vibrant taste. Use in marinades or sprinkle zest on top.
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Lime – For Mexican dishes, add lime juice and zest to chicken fajitas or tacos.
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Orange – Orange juice, zest, or marmalade provide a sweet tangy flavor to chicken.
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Tomatoes – Fresh, canned, sun-dried, or cherry tomatoes add juiciness and rich umami.
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Wine vinegar – Red or white wine vinegar marinades tenderize chicken.
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Rice vinegar – Its mild acidity and touch of sweetness flavors Asian chicken recipes.
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Yogurt – Plain Greek or regular yogurt makes an excellent marinade and keeps chicken moist.
Aromatics
Onion, garlic, shallots, and other aromatics infuse chicken with flavor:
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Onion – Sauteed, grilled, or caramelized onions complement chicken in a variety of cuisines.
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Garlic – Use garlic powder, fresh garlic, or jarred minced garlic for an flavor boost.
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Shallots – These mild, onion-garlic hybrids add sweetness to chicken in sauces or dressings.
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Ginger – Fresh or ground ginger adds a peppery bite to chicken, especially in Asian cooking.
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Lemongrass – This floral, citrusy herb is delicious with chicken in Thai and Vietnamese dishes.
Sauces and Condiments
Drizzle sauces over chicken or use small amounts while cooking to add lots of flavor:
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Soy sauce – Use regular or low-sodium soy sauce in stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces.
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Fish sauce – This pungent Thai condiment adds an umami flavor when cooking chicken.
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Worcestershire sauce – For savory depth, marinate chicken or add to pan sauces and gravies.
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Hot sauce – A few splashes of hot sauce spices up chicken wings, tacos, and enchiladas.
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Barbecue sauce – Brush on grilled or baked chicken for easy barbecue flavor.
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Teriyaki sauce – The sweet Japanese sauce doubles as a marinade and glaze.
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Honey mustard – Drizzle sparingly on chicken sandwiches, wraps, and salads for tangy sweetness.
Cooking Techniques
How you prepare chicken makes a big difference in maximizing its flavor:
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Grilling – Charred, smoky grilled chicken is full of flavor. Try using a dry rub or marinade first.
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Roasting – Roasting concentrates flavors and makes chicken extra juicy.
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Pan-searing – Browning chicken pieces in a skillet really boosts flavor. Deglaze the pan to make a sauce.
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Poaching – Gently simmering chicken in flavorful poaching liquid infuses it with taste.
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Braising – Slow, moist heat tenderizes chicken and lets it absorb surrounding flavors.
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Brining – Soaking chicken in a saltwater brine seasons it throughout and keeps it incredibly moist.
With just a little creativity, you can turn bland chicken into something crave-worthy and delicious using simple, low-calorie ingredients. What are your go-to ways to add flavor to chicken?
How to Season Chicken
Add all your ingredients to a small bowl or a jar, adjusting amounts based on your taste. Mix or whisk well.
If you’re using straight away, there’s a simple way to infuse your chicken seasoning blend with your meat:
- Use a paper towel to pat your chicken dry and transfer it into a clean bowl or dish. You don’t need to wash your chicken – contrary to popular myth. It can cause harmful bacteria to splash onto your sink and surfaces.
- Sprinkle the chicken seasoning over the meat and using your hands (with or without gloves), gently rub it into the meat. I tend to use 1 tablespoon of seasoning mix per pound of chicken, but you can use more or less depending on your tastes.
- If your chicken still has skin, rub some underneath the skin for more flavor. It’s great mixed with a little melted butter and poured over a whole chicken before roasting.
- Allow the flavors to meld together for at least 15 minutes – but I like to leave it for up to 2 hours. It will make for flavorful chicken and give it a beautiful deep red color.
Cook and enjoy! This chicken seasoning will work with most cooking methods – whether you’re roasting, grilling, pan-frying, or air frying.
What Do You Season Chicken with
The best spices for chicken tend to use a balance of both herbs and spices, brought together to enhance the flavor of the meat specifically. Depending on your palate, you can lean more toward an aromatic blend or a smoky, subtly sweet flavor. Sure, you can buy it at the grocery store, but I find making a simple seasoning at home is not only more budget-friendly, but means you can control what goes in – especially the sodium levels.
The best spices for chicken seasoning, I find, are:
- Salt and Pepper,
- Paprika – Smoked, hot, or mild – they all work for this recipe.
- Dried Oregano: You can also use dried thyme, basil, parsley, or rosemary – I like to dry oregano from fresh for the ultimate flavor. But they can also be bought pre-dried from the grocery store.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: These are strong aromatics and great for adding depth of flavor to chicken.
And here are some optional add-ins I sometimes love adding:
- For sweetness and caramelization: white or brown sugar works well with chicken seasoning.
- For different levels of heat: chili powder, cayenne pepper, celery salt, or white pepper
- For more spiciness: ground mustard seeds, or ground cumin.
You want to make sure your herbs and spices are as fresh/new as possible because they get milder in flavor over time – and you want maximum flavor for this seasoning.
The Best Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe ❗️
FAQ
What can I add to chicken to make it more flavorful?
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 do you add flavour to 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 a chicken extra tasty?
Use a brine
Brining your chicken is a foolproof way to not only add flavour to your roast but also to ensure you don’t overcook the meat. Essentially a mix of salt, sugar and water, we love adding herbs, garlic or whole spices such as fennel and cumin to flavour the brine.
How to increase chicken taste?
The best way to enhance that flavor is with salt, which is a crucial flavor potentiator. So it helps to brine the meat with some kind of salt water solution, eg: Brining. If the brine contains other water-soluble flavors, such as liquid smoke, or soy sauce, they can penetrate through the meat.