Easy Chicken Seasoning Recipe (Made in 5 Minutes!)
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This Easy Chicken Seasoning recipe is here to simplify your weeknight dinners! Mix up this simple blend of dried herbs and spices, and you’ll always be minutes away from a flavorful dinner.
Whether you’re making a whole rotisserie chicken, chicken breasts, or chicken thighs, this is the BEST homemade seasoning for chicken!
Why This is The Best Chicken Seasoning Blend
Table of Contents
I’ve been on the hunt for a great seasoning for chicken for awhile. We have plenty of chicken recipes we love (check out Sheet Pan Pesto Chicken, Mexican Chicken Marinade, and Braised Chicken in Coconut Milk), but I was looking for a quick and easy chicken rub that could transform any piece of meat in seconds.
Luckily, the search is over. This seasoning is THE ONE. It’s easy to make and perfect for keeping on hand for fast weeknight dinners. Just like my homemade taco seasoning, this has become a spice drawer staple!
This chicken seasoning blend checks all the boxes!
- It uses pantry staples. This seasoning is made with herbs and spices you probably already have in your cupboard.
- It’s easily scalable. Make a single batch or make a quadruple batch. This chicken spice recipe works well in big and small quantities.
- It works for any cut of chicken. This is a great chicken breast seasoning, but it also works well for whole chicken, skin-on chicken thighs, and even as a dry rub for wings.
- It works with any cooking method. This blend of spices works for grilling, baking, and pan frying chicken. It even works for air fryer chicken!
- It has amazing flavor. Garlicky, herby, earthy, and a bit citrusy. It’s even got options for a spicy kick!
Key Ingredients
There’s nothing particularly fancy about this collection of herbs and spices, but together, they create the best flavor! To make the seasoning, you’ll need:
- Kosher salt– The foundation of flavor! If you’re trying to lower your salt intake, you can always omit this and season your meat with salt as you go.
- Black pepper– Nothing fancy here, just good ol’ ground black pepper
- Paprika– I prefer to use smoked paprika for the smoky taste it adds, but sweet paprika also works.
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried Basil
- Dried Parsley
- Cayenne pepper– This is optional, but great if you like a little kick. I have children who are sensitive to spice, so I typically leave the cayenne out, but sprinkle a little bit just on my husband and I’s chicken. You can also increase the cayenne pepper for a spicier chicken seasoning.
- Coriander– I’ve included this as a bonus ingredient, because I realize it might not be a pantry staple for everyone. However, I HIGHLY recommend picking up a box of this warm and subtly citrusy spice. It’s the secret ingredient that really makes this seasoning pop!
- Need more uses for coriander? Try it in my Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, Ultimate Beet and Bean Veggie Burgers, and Vegan Lentil Soup.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts, visit the recipe card below.
How to Make Chicken Seasoning
I feel almost silly sharing these “instructions,” but here goes:
Grab a bowl, dump in all the seasonings, and whisk to combine. That’s it!
This recipe makes about 7 Tablespoons, which should season 5-7 lbs. of meat.
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
- This seasoning keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature. It will last for up to 6 months. Give it a good whisk or shake before using, especially if it’s been sitting in the cupboard for awhile.
How to Use Homemade Chicken Seasoning
I use about 1 Tablespoon of the spices for every pound of chicken. However, just like when you’re seasoning with plain salt and pepper, your eyes are the best judge. Sprinkle or rub the seasoning on all sides of the meat so that it’s evenly coated.
This seasoning is obviously amazing on chicken, but you can also use it to season fish, roasted vegetables, and air fryer potatoes!
More of my Favorite Easy, Flavorful Chicken Recipes
Need more easy weeknight chicken recipes? Try these!
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Spicy Chicken Marinade
- Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
- Crock Pot Enchilada Chicken
- Panko Crusted Chicken Piccata
- Grilled Chicken Margherita
Chicken Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 3 teaspoons onion powder
- 3 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
- Store the seasoning in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Give it a good whisk or shake before using.
Notes
- This recipe makes just over 7 Tablespoons of seasoning. A tablespoon of seasoning will season 1-1.5 lbs of meat.
- The coriander is optional, but an excellent addition!
- Increase the cayenne pepper to make this spicier.
This seasoning was pretty good. Used on bone-in, skin off Chicken cooked in an air fryer. I like the special flavor of the coriander!
I used regular paprika because I do not prefer the smoked, and 3/4 of thr black pepper, 1/4 tsp of cayenne ( I have small children. Husband said it was good. Will try again….
FYI- go make the Neighbor Food Blog air fryer hot dog…..that is how I found them. Doesn’t disappoint!
This is my go to chicken seasoning! it is my favorite is on thigs in the air fryer.
Thanks so much for sharing! I’m so glad you enjoy the seasoning blend!
This is amazing. Use it on my whole chicken when I make rotisserie on my own. Also use on my wings great flavor. Thanks for sharing.
Due to stage 4 kidney disease, my husband is on a sodium free diet. Made this seasoning without the salt. For the first time he enjoyed his sodium free chicken. I can even eat the chicken without adding salt.
Hola!! Quizás mi pregunta es tonta, pero el cilantro es fresco o deshidratado como el perejil.
Gracias por compartir tu receta se ve riquísima.
Use dehydrated or dried coriander. 🙂
Just a little feedback.
I would have loved to try your recipe however you have so many pop ups that I could not see your post well at all. I don’t think I will frustrate myself further by looking at your ideas due to this reason. It is a shame because your ideas look great.
Me too. It’s absolutely frustrating.
Unfortunately running a free recipe website isn’t free. Running ads is how folks like us have to pay the bills. I hate ads also but use an ad blocker for the times when I have to focus. We’ve also included a table of contents and a “Jump to recipe” button at the top of every post to help improve user experience. Also just putting in a plug here, but our email newsletter, cookbook, and Instagram accounts are all ad-free ways of exploring and interacting with our content.
NOW I see it 🙄😁 Thanks!!
What measurements do you use for each seasoning?
You can find all the measurements listed in the recipe card above! Hope you enjoy!
So yummy!!! Made with air fryer thighs.
Can I use it on turkey?
Made it and LOVE it I use it on chicken breast and thighs in crock pot and baked chicken so far and plan to use it more and more! Thank you
Used this to make Tenders for Super Bowl dinner. Big hit with my picky husband. Will use again.
That’s wonderful! I’m so glad you all enjoyed the chicken seasoning! Thanks for letting me know.
Can’t wait to make this!! Thanks!!
Can I leave out the salt for a no sodium version. That’s a lot.of sodium.
Yep! You can leave out the salt and then season your meat with salt to taste.