Let’s face it – plain chicken can be kinda boring I’ve definitely stared down at a sad, bland chicken breast on my plate more times than I’d like to admit. But chicken doesn’t have to be a flavor wasteland! I’ve gathered some amazing ways to transform your chicken from blah to brilliant without piling on extra calories.
Why Chicken Needs Flavor Help
Chicken on its own is pretty bland. It’s a healthy protein source but without some help it’s just not exciting. The good news is that there are tons of ways to make chicken taste amazing without adding a bunch of extra calories or fat.
Seasonings That Make Chicken Sing
Adding spices to chicken is probably the easiest way to boost flavor without adding calories. Here are some of my go-to seasonings:
- Salt and pepper – Sometimes the basics are all you need to enhance chicken’s natural flavor. Go easy on the salt if you’re watching sodium.
- Italian seasoning – This herb blend usually contains basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme for that classic Italian flavor profile.
- Cajun seasoning – Made with paprika, garlic, onion, and cayenne pepper, this gives chicken a spicy kick.
- Chili powder – Perfect for Tex-Mex inspired dishes.
- Cumin – This earthy spice works great in Mexican and Southwest cuisine.
- Garlic and onion powder – These aromatic powders add depth when you don’t have fresh ingredients on hand.
- Smoked paprika – Adds a wonderful smoky flavor without any actual smoking required.
- Poultry seasoning – A classic blend of sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, and nutmeg specifically designed for chicken.
Fresh Herbs and Spices for Maximum Impact
Fresh herbs and spices can take your chicken to the next level
- Rosemary – This pungent, piney herb pairs beautifully with chicken, especially when roasted.
- Thyme – Adds an earthy flavor that’s perfect in chicken soups and stews.
- Oregano – Brings a zesty, peppery taste to Greek and Italian chicken dishes.
- Basil – Its sweet yet minty flavor brightens up chicken salads and pasta dishes.
- Cilantro – Essential for Mexican and Southwestern chicken recipes.
- Chili peppers – Use fresh or dried peppers to add heat to your chicken.
- Ginger – Fresh ginger adds warmth and brightness to stir-fries and curries.
Acidic Ingredients That Brighten Chicken
Acidic ingredients cut through the plainness of chicken and make flavors pop:
- Lemon – Lemon juice or zest gives chicken a fresh, vibrant taste. Great in marinades!
- Lime – Perfect for Mexican-inspired dishes like chicken fajitas or tacos.
- Orange – Orange juice, zest, or even marmalade can add sweet tanginess.
- Tomatoes – Whether fresh, canned, sun-dried, or cherry tomatoes, they add juiciness and umami.
- Wine vinegar – Red or white wine vinegar not only adds flavor but helps tenderize chicken.
- Rice vinegar – Its mild acidity works well in Asian chicken recipes.
- Yogurt – Plain Greek yogurt makes an excellent marinade that keeps chicken moist.
Aromatics That Transform Chicken
Aromatics are the foundation of flavor in many cuisines:
- Onion – Whether sautéed, grilled, or caramelized, onions complement chicken beautifully.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves, garlic powder, or jarred minced garlic all provide an instant flavor boost.
- Shallots – These mild onion-garlic hybrids add subtle sweetness to chicken dishes.
- Lemongrass – This floral, citrusy herb is amazing in Thai and Vietnamese chicken recipes.
Low-Calorie Sauces and Condiments
A little sauce goes a long way with chicken:
- Soy sauce – Use regular or low-sodium in stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces.
- Fish sauce – This pungent Thai condiment adds incredible umami depth.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds savory complexity to chicken marinades and pan sauces.
- Hot sauce – A few dashes can spice up chicken wings, tacos, and more.
- Barbecue sauce – Brush a thin layer on grilled or baked chicken.
- Teriyaki sauce – Works as both a marinade and a glaze.
- Honey mustard – A little drizzle adds tangy sweetness to chicken dishes.
Cooking Techniques That Maximize Flavor
How you cook chicken makes a huge difference in its flavor:
- Grilling – Creates char marks and smoky flavor. Try using a dry rub first!
- Roasting – Concentrates flavors and keeps chicken juicy.
- Pan-searing – Browning chicken in a skillet develops amazing flavor. Deglaze the pan afterward to make a sauce!
- Poaching – Simmering chicken in a flavorful liquid infuses it with taste.
- Braising – Slow cooking in liquid tenderizes chicken and lets it absorb surrounding flavors.
- Brining – Soaking chicken in saltwater before cooking seasons it throughout and keeps it moist.
My Favorite Simple Chicken Seasoning Blend
I’ve got a super simple seasoning blend that works for almost any chicken dish. It’s my go-to when I need something reliable but don’t want to think too hard:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil (per 2-3 pounds of chicken)
How to use it:
- Mix all ingredients together in a bowl
- Add your chicken to the bowl
- Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes (but up to 24 hours is fine since there’s no acid)
- Cook as desired – grill, bake, whatever works!
This blend is perfect for meal prep because it’s flavorful enough to eat on its own but versatile enough that you won’t get bored eating it throughout the week.
Easy Ways to Season Chicken
Here’s my simple process for perfectly seasoned chicken:
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Dry your chicken with a paper towel and place in a clean bowl. (Contrary to what some think, you don’t need to wash chicken – it can actually spread harmful bacteria around your kitchen!)
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Cover the meat with your chosen seasoning. Rub it in thoroughly with your hands (with or without gloves). I use about 1 tablespoon of seasoning mix per pound of chicken, but adjust to your taste.
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If the chicken still has skin, add some seasoning underneath for better flavor. For whole chickens, I like mixing the seasoning with a bit of melted butter before rubbing it all over.
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Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, but up to 2 hours is even better. This gives the flavors time to penetrate and will turn your chicken a beautiful color depending on your spices.
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Cook and enjoy! This approach works with most cooking methods – roasting, grilling, pan-frying, or air frying.
Quick Flavor Boosters for Last-Minute Meals
Sometimes you don’t have time to marinate. Here are some quick fixes:
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Middle Eastern spice rub: Combine paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Cover your chicken breast with it before cooking.
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Fresh rosemary and lemon slices: Place these on top of chicken while baking for an instant flavor boost.
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White wine and herbs: Pour a splash of white wine and sprinkle herbs over chicken while cooking.
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BBQ sauce: Bake chicken with a light coating of BBQ sauce for instant flavor.
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Soy sauce and ginger: A quick Asian-inspired flavor boost.
The Power of Brining
If you have a bit more time, brining is the secret weapon for incredibly flavorful, moist chicken. A basic brine is just salt, sugar, and water, but I love adding garlic, herbs, or whole spices like fennel and cumin for extra flavor. The salt in the brine not only seasons the meat but helps it retain moisture during cooking.
Make Your Chicken Meal Prep More Exciting
Using different seasonings and cooking techniques means you can prep a bunch of chicken on Sunday and use it in different ways throughout the week:
- Monday: Slice it for chicken tacos
- Tuesday: Chop it for a Greek salad
- Wednesday: Shred it for buffalo chicken wraps
- Thursday: Dice it for a quick stir-fry
- Friday: Add it to pasta with pesto
Chicken doesn’t have to be boring! With just a few simple ingredients and techniques, you can transform this lean protein into something truly delicious without adding extra calories. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just trying to make dinner more exciting, these flavor boosters will help you fall in love with chicken again.
What’s your favorite way to add flavor to chicken? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
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
How do you add flavor to chicken?
Marinating or brining chicken is a great way to infuse more flavor. You can use a variety of ingredients such as citrus juices, soy sauce, yogurt, buttermilk, herbs, spices, and even beer or wine to create a flavorful marinade or brine for your chicken. How can I use herbs and spices to add more flavor to chicken?
What is a good marinade for chicken?
A marinade typically consists of an acidic component, such as citrus juice or vinegar, along with oil, herbs, and spices. The acidic element helps tenderize the meat while allowing the flavors to penetrate. Consider marinating your chicken in a mixture of citrus juice, olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a zesty and aromatic result. 2. Seasonings
Should you stuff a chicken with herbs and vegetables?
Stuffing your bird helps impart flavor into the entire chicken, as the flavors of the stuffing will be absorbed into the meat. As with a turkey, you can either stuff a chicken with herbs and vegetables just to add flavor (which won’t be eaten), or you can make a stuffing that’s meant to be consumed with the final dish.
How to make chicken taste better?
Seasonings Seasonings are a simple yet effective way to enhance the taste of chicken. Herbs and spices like rosemary, thyme, paprika, and cumin can impart rich and aromatic flavors to the meat. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavor profile.
How do you add flavor to chicken & rice?
Broth is one of the most effective ways to add flavor to chicken and rice without much effort. Cooking the rice in a flavorful broth instead of plain water can infuse every grain with savory richness, while the chicken absorbs the delicious essence. Chicken Broth: The obvious choice, chicken broth adds a comforting, hearty depth to your dish.
Can you add flavored butter to roast chicken?
Try using rosemary, garlic, shallots, chives, etc. When you’re making flavored butter, it’s important to think about the other flavors you plan to incorporate into your roast chicken to ensure nothing clashes. We also recommend making more flavored butter than you need to coat the chicken.
How can I make my chicken more flavorful?
Try marinating your chicken for a few hours with some lemon juice, minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Pat it dry, sprinkle it with salt and pepper, and then add it to a hot pan and sear it.
What to put on chicken to make it tasty?
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. This roast chicken recipe, uses a sweet-and-sour brine scented with lemon, thyme and red wine vinegar that will impress the whole family.
What is the best seasoning for chicken?
What seasonings are best for chicken? Everything from salt & pepper to garlic & onion, as well as a good mix of herbs and red spices like paprika. Paprika-forward spices are also great with chicken recipes, especially when grilling or cooking on the barbecue.
How do you increase chicken flavour?
Try a sprinkle of paprika or cumin, if you can handle those. Try the lemon zest if it is more tolerable than the juice or flesh. Try tarragon or dill next to the chicken in a pan. Stuff a whole roast chicken with an onion if you can do that, or an apple, or carrot and celery. Spread butter and sage under the skin.