Chicken breast tends to be a lean, mild tasting meat That’s why properly seasoning chicken breast is key for adding flavor and transforming boring poultry into delicious entrees the whole family will love With the endless herbs, spices, spice blends, marinades and rubs available, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to make chicken breast taste juicy and amazing.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to take your chicken breast game from bland and boring to totally mouthwatering. Read on for the best practices, top seasoning blend recipes, creative marinades, smart cooking techniques and pro tips for infusing chicken breast with juicy, well-balanced flavor each and every time.
Start with High Quality Fresh Chicken
Like any ingredient, it’s ideal to start with high quality fresh chicken whenever possible for the best flavor Look for chicken that is not discolored or slimy Make sure the packaging is not leaking or torn. When possible, select air chilled chicken rather than chicken that has been plumped with saline solution. Free range and organic chicken breasts tend to have more robust flavor as well.
Balancing Savory, Aromatic and Spicy Notes
When seasoning chicken breast, you want to use ingredients that create a balanced flavor profile. This typically means incorporating spices and seasonings that offer:
- Savory – Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper
- Aromatic – Paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano
- Slightly Spicy – Crushed red pepper, cayenne, ancho chile powder
Creating a blend with savory, aromatic and spicy seasonings ensures the chicken breast has well-rounded flavor, versus leaning too far in one flavor direction.
Essential Single Spices
While spice blends offer ease and convenience, it can also be nice to handcraft your own custom mix using individual spices. Here are some of the best single spices to have on hand for seasoning chicken breast:
- Paprika – Adds a pop of flavor, ranging from earthy to smoky depending on the variety. Sweet paprika is more mild while smoked paprika has more depth.
- Garlic Powder – Provides an essential savory, aromatic base note. Pairs well with most seasonings.
- Onion Powder – Similar to garlic powder, onion powder adds savory flavor. Use slightly less compared to garlic powder.
- Chili Powder – Depending on the blend, can provide both flavor and heat. Look for flavorful chili powder without excessive salt.
- Cumin – Earthy and nutty, cumin is ideal for Mexican or Southwestern style chicken. A little goes a long way.
- Oregano – This bold, woodsy herb adds nice flavor complexity. Works well paired with savory and citrus flavors.
Pre-Made Chicken Seasoning Blends
If you want to skip directly to the finished product, there are a variety of pre-made chicken seasoning blends available. Having a few of these on hand makes weeknight dinner prep a breeze. Consider keeping these top blends in your pantry:
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All-Purpose Chicken Seasoning – Typically contains salt, pepper, garlic, onion, paprika. Works on any type of chicken and with most cooking methods.
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Italian Chicken Seasoning – Features oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme. Excellent for Italian style chicken dishes.
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Cajun Chicken Seasoning – Packs heat from cayenne and other peppers. Ideal for blackened chicken.
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Lemon Pepper Seasoning – Bright citrus flavor paired with cracked black pepper. Fantastic grilled or baked.
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Southwest or Tex-Mex Seasoning – Robust chili powder and cumin profile. Makes amazing fajita chicken.
Creative Marinades Take it Up a Notch
Soaking chicken breast in a flavor-packed marinade is one of the most effective ways to infuse juicy, moist flavor all the way through the meat. The acidic marinade also helps tenderize the chicken. Almost any combination of oil, acid, aromatics and spices can make a great marinade. Some tasty combinations include:
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Mediterranean – Olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme
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Asian – Soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic
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Jamaican Jerk – Lime juice, allspice, thyme, habanero peppers
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Indian – Yogurt, garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin
Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes up to overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
Employ Multiple Seasoning Techniques
You can use a variety of techniques to add layers of flavor to chicken breast:
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Dry Rub – Generously coat the raw chicken with the spice blend before cooking. Allows it to really adhere.
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Marinade – Soak chicken in a flavorful liquid blend before cooking.
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Brine – Submerge chicken in a saltwater and spice solution. Makes it super moist.
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Sauce – Brush with sauce during baking or grilling to add flavor.
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Inject – Inject marinade deep into the meat with an injection needle.
Choose Cooking Methods that Maximize Juiciness
The cooking method can also impact the moisture and flavor of chicken breast. Methods that work well include:
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Grilling – Creates nice char while retaining juiciness. Ideal for marinated or rubbed chicken.
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Baking – Allows chicken to cook evenly in the oven. Great way to get flavor from a sauce or glaze.
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Sautéing – Pan fry over high heat for a quick weeknight dinner. Keep a close eye to avoid overcooking.
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Poaching – Gently simmering in flavorful liquid keeps chicken extremely moist and tender.
Don’t Overcook!
The number one mistake when cooking chicken breast is overcooking it. Chicken breast should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F, but taken off the heat shortly before that. Overcooked chicken dries out quickly and loses flavor. Investing in a good meat thermometer helps avoid ruining the chicken.
Let It Rest Before Serving
After cooking, let the chicken breast rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute so they don’t run out when you cut into the chicken. The result is a juicier, more flavorful finished product.
Get Creative with Unique Flavor Combinations
While classic herb blends are always tasty, some unique spice combos can really make your chicken stand out:
- Italian dressing mix + ranch dressing mix
- Lime zest + chili powder + cumin
- Brown sugar + coffee grounds + cayenne
- Orange marmalade + mustard powder + thyme
Don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors you enjoy to discover your signature chicken breast seasoning!
FAQs – Your Top Chicken Breast Seasoning Questions Answered
Seasoning chicken breast seems simple, but a lot of questions can pop up! Here we answer some of the most common chicken seasoning FAQs:
How much seasoning should I use on chicken breast?
As a general rule of thumb, use about 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning blend per 1 pound of chicken breast. Adjust to taste based on your preference and the intensity of the particular blend.
What’s the best oil to use for seasoning chicken?
Good neutral oils for seasoning chicken include olive oil, avocado oil and grapeseed oil. The oil helps the seasoning evenly coat the meat and also prevents it from drying out during cooking.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs for seasoning?
Absolutely! Fresh herbs offer brighter, more vibrant flavor compared to dried. Use about 3 times the amount of fresh herbs in place of dried. Add them at the end of cooking to maximize flavor.
How long should I marinate chicken breast?
At least 30 minutes of marinating time is recommended to allow flavor to penetrate the chicken. For maximum infusion, marinate in the refrigerator up to 24-48 hours.
What’s the best way to prevent seasoning from burning?
Avoid seasoning blends with a lot of sugar when cooking over high heat. Don’t overcrowd the pan. And mix the seasoning into a sauce rather than sprinkling directly over chicken if charring is an issue.
Can I use the same seasoning blend for different cooking methods?
Most blends work for multiple cooking techniques. You may want to adjust blends with a lot of sugar when grilling or sautéing over high heat to prevent burning.
How can I tell if the chicken breast is properly seasoned?
The best way is to simply taste the chicken after cooking! If it’s bland, sprinkle on a bit more seasoning. Remember you can always add more seasoning, but can’t take it away.
Can I make my own homemade chicken seasoning blends?
Absolutely! Making your own allows you to customize the flavor profile. Start with a base recipe and experiment. Store blends in an airtight container away from light.
What are some unique seasoning combinations I can try?
Get creative by combining flavors like orange zest, curry powder, chipotle chili powder, maple syrup or coffee grounds. The possibilities are endless for crafting signature blends!
Mastering seasoning techniques is crucial for serving juicy, well seasoned chicken breast your family will request time and time again. With the tips in this guide, you’ll be able to create amazing chicken every night of the week using items already in your pantry. Get ready to become the MVP of chicken dinners!
Ways to Cook Seasoned Chicken
We love to grill chicken, particularly during the spring and summer. There is just nothing quite like that extra bit of smoky flavor and lightly charred grill marks!
For perfectly grilled chicken, first preheat the grill to medium heat, about 350-400°F.
- Cook boneless and skinless breast and thigh pieces for approximately 4-6 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness.
- Bone-in skinless thigh and breast pieces must cook for 12-15 minutes per side.
No grill? No problem! If you don’t have a grill – or don’t want to use one – nothing else beats juicy and tender oven-baked chicken. Bonus: You don’t even need to flip the chicken! Place the seasoned pieces on a lined baking sheet or baking dish, and pop them into the oven.
First, preheat the oven to 400°F for boneless or 425°F for bone-in chicken breasts or thighs.
- Cook thighs or breasts for 20-25 minutes, depending on meat thickness.
- Bake bone-in chicken breasts or thighs for approximately 40-45 minutes.
For more cooking details and recipe ideas, check out our complete Temperature for Chicken (Chicken 101) Cooking Guide!
The key to making the most perfectly flavorful, moist, and tender chicken is to A) season thoroughly and B) cook properly. Chicken meat is rather mild on its own. So you want to be very generous with adding spices, and coat the meat evenly and entirely. The internal temperature of chicken breast and thigh pieces needs to be 165 degrees F to safely eat. Any lower than that, and you run the risk of raw chicken, which is, of course, both icky-tasting and potentially harmful. However, overcooking results in dry and tough meat. Not so icky, but definitely unpleasant. So cook according to recipe instructions, and always use a meat thermometer to check the temp on the low end of the cooking time.
Yes, you always want to liberally apply spices to the meat before cooking chicken.
Store each batch of spice blend in an airtight container with a lid. Keep them at room temperature in a cool, dry place. They’ll last about as long as any other dried seasonings, and are freshest when used within 6 months or so.
Best Seasoning for Chicken
We love all things chicken! BBQ chicken, chicken thighs, fried, stewed, shredded, and spatchcocked … If it involves fowl, we are fans. So it seemed only fitting that we feature a simple Best Seasoning for Chicken recipe, too!
Recently, we posted a chicken cooking tutorial called Cooked Chicken 101. In this post, we outline all the different ways to cook chicken, both boneless and bone-in, and what temperature to set them at and how long to cook them. That way, you can cook perfect chicken each and every time, no matter your cooking method.
As a followup, today we’re sharing a post on our favorite 3 spice blends for chicken. Of course, you can put just about any seasoning on chicken and it will taste good, yet we do have some favorite herb and spice blends we’d like to share. These are my go-to seasonings for chicken that my family absolutely loves!
Our all-purpose chicken seasoning is great on all sorts of chicken-focused meals and can be used in a multitude of dishes. However, we’re also sharing our favorite all-purpose Mexican and Italian blends for when you’re cooking more of a specific style of chicken to go with a meal.
We hope you enjoy these 3 simple chicken seasoning blends and they make your midweek dinners much more tasty!
Pro Tip: Don’t have time to create your own blend? No worries! When in a hurry, consider adding just lemon pepper, Mrs. Dash, Tajin seasoning, everything bagel seasoning, or Old Bay seasoning.
I learned this trick in a restaurant! The chicken breast melts in your mouth
FAQ
Which seasoning goes well with chicken?
Other great flavors for chicken are parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Both oregano and lemon balm work very well with poultry, as does marjoram. I would add basil to the list but, if you are sensitive to mint, than that is probably off the menu as well.
What should I season my chicken breasts with?
Mix salt, basil, rosemary, garlic powder, mustard powder, paprika, black pepper, thyme, celery seed, parsley, cumin, cayenne pepper, and chicken bouillon …Jan 25, 2024