Homemade Chicken Seasoning
Homemade chicken seasoning is a versatile blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, parsley, oregano, ground mustard, salt, pepper, and a touch of cayenne that comes together in five minutes with pantry spices. Use it as a dry rub before baking, grilling, or roasting, or stir it into a flour mixture for fried chicken with built in flavor. It works on whole chickens, breasts, wings, and thighs and also doubles as a seasoning for vegetables and seafood. Keeps for up to three months in an airtight jar.
“How do I make chicken taste good?” is one of the most common questions in the kitchen and the answer is almost always a good seasoning blend.
This one goes into Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing as a flavor boost before cooking, gets tossed with Air Fryer Chicken Wings instead of the individual spices. It adds depth to Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels with the ranch seasoning, and works as an easy substitute in Lemon Honey Chicken Sheet Pan Meal when you want one jar instead of five.
Made with spices already in your pantry, it works on whole chickens, breasts, wings, and thighs no matter how you are cooking them – baked, grilled, roasted, or fried.
It is also great on vegetables and seafood if chicken is not on the menu tonight. Five minutes and one jar covers a lot of ground.
What Is the Best Way to Season Chicken?
Chicken pairs with nearly every flavor profile which is exactly why it can be hard to pick one perfect seasoning.
Specialty blends like Italian seasoning or Greek seasoning work great when you know exactly what you are making. But an all purpose chicken seasoning like this one is the better choice for picky eaters or when you just want to add some extra flavor to boring chicken.
This blend creates juicy, well seasoned chicken whether you are grilling, baking, or roasting. And it works on a whole chicken just as well as it works on a single chicken breast.
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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
Paprika – adds color and a mild sweetness that gives the chicken a beautiful golden brown finish when cooked. Regular paprika keeps the flavor balanced, smoked paprika adds a deeper, smokier twist if you want to switch things up.
Garlic powder – the savory anchor of the blend. It distributes evenly and adds consistent garlic flavor throughout, which fresh garlic cannot do in a dry spice mix.
Onion powder – works with the garlic to build a base that makes the chicken taste seasoned all the way through.
Thyme – earthy and slightly floral. Give it a rub between your fingers before using to release the oils and make it more potent.
Parsley – adds a little color and a mild herby note. Same trick applies here – rubbing it between your fingers wakes up the flavor before it goes into the blend.
Oregano – rounds out the herb profile and adds a slightly peppery note that keeps the blend from tasting flat. Also benefits from a quick rub between the fingers.
Ground mustard – a small but important addition that adds a gentle tang and a little heat. It is one of the ingredients that makes this blend taste amazing without an overpowering mustard flavor. Great if you’re not a mustard fan.
Salt and black pepper – the foundation of any good seasoning. They help the rest of the spices adhere to the chicken and penetrate the meat as it cooks.
Cayenne pepper (optional) – just a touch adds some warmth without making the blend spicy. Leave it out entirely for a milder version or add more if you like a kick.
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How To Make Chicken Seasoning
- Combine all the spices in a bowl. Whisk to combine thoroughly.
- Transfer to an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
How to Use Chicken Seasoning
As a dry rub: Drizzle skinless chicken breasts with a little olive oil and rub the seasoning in before cooking. Works on whole chickens, breasts, wings, and thighs.
For frying: Add it to your flour mixture before dredging chicken for more flavor in every bite, not just the surface.
On vegetables: Toss roasted or grilled vegetables in olive oil and this blend for an easy side dish upgrade.
On seafood: Sprinkle it onto fish or shrimp before cooking for a quick seasoning that works great!
As a substitute: Use it anywhere a recipe calls for a handful of basic, individual spices. One scoop replaces several measuring spoons.
Storage
Store your chicken seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It will keep for up to three months.
Glass jars are the best choice since they are reusable, seal tightly, and will not hold onto the flavor of previous spices.
Variations
Make it smokier – swap regular paprika for smoked paprika for a deeper, more barbecue-style flavor.
Make it spicier – add extra cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want more heat than the optional touch of cayenne provides.
Make it for seafood – this blend works just as well on fish and shrimp as it does on chicken, so do not feel limited by the name.
Make it for vegetables – toss roasted or grilled vegetables in this blend for a simple side dish that matches whatever protein you are serving it with.
Recipes Using This Chicken Seasoning
Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing – a simple slow cooker dinner where this seasoning gets rubbed onto the chicken before it goes into the pot, adding flavor that builds as everything cooks together.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings – instead of measuring out a handful of individual spices, this one blend covers everything the recipe calls for in a single scoop.
Lemon Honey Chicken – a quick weeknight dinner that normally calls for a handful of separate spices. This seasoning is the easy one-jar substitute.
Chicken Wing Sliders – built on Italian seasoning in the original recipe, but a sprinkle of this chicken seasoning in the mix adds another layer of savory depth.
What to Make With It
Crunchy Chicken Casserole – a comforting baked casserole that is a blank canvas for this seasoning. Toss it with the chicken before assembling for a more flavor throughout.
Crack Chicken Noodle Soup – uses Italian seasoning in the original recipe, but this chicken seasoning works as an easy, equally delicious swap.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – currently seasoned with a seasoned salt in the breading. Swap in this blend instead for a more well rounded flavor in every bite.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels – built on ranch seasoning, but a little of this chicken seasoning stirred in adds extra depth that makes the chicken shine thorugh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, oregano, and parsley are classic choices that work in almost any chicken preparation. This blend combines all of them along with a touch of ground mustard and optional cayenne for a well rounded, versatile flavor.
Up to three months when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Glass jars are the best option since they help the blend stay fresh longer and do not retain the scent or flavor of past spice mixes.
Yes. It works beautifully on pork, fish, seafood, and roasted or grilled vegetables in addition to chicken, so one jar covers a lot of dinner options.
Not unless you want it to be. The cayenne pepper is optional and used in a very small amount even when included. Leave it out entirely for a completely mild blend or add more if you like extra heat.
Absolutely. Stir it into your flour before dredging chicken for fried chicken with seasoning built into every layer rather than just on the surface.
Looking for more ways to flavor your favorite meals? Check out our full collection of Homemade Spice Mixes and Seasoning Blends.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use only the highest quality spices you can find and check expiration dates so you are working with the freshest ones.
- Give the herbs – oregano, thyme, and parsley – a rub between your fingers before mixing to release their oils and make them more potent.
- Try smoked or sweet paprika for a flavor twist.
- Add more cayenne or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want extra heat.
- This blend works on any cut of chicken and holds up just as well on pork, fish, and vegetables.
This homemade chicken seasoning recipe is the kind of pantry staple that earns its spot in your spice cabinet fast – juicy, flavorful chicken every time with none of the guesswork.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
Homemade Chicken Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ tablespoon pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoons paprika
- 1 ½ tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ½ tablespoon thyme
- 1 tablespoon parsley
- 1 tablespoon ground mustard
- ½ tablespoon oregano
- ⅛ tablespoon cayenne optional
Instructions
- Mix all the spices together and store in an air tight container in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months.
- Use as needed.
Video
Notes
- Use only the highest quality spices you can find and check expiration dates so you are working with the freshest ones.
- Give the herbs – oregano, thyme, and parsley – a rub between your fingers before mixing to release their oils and make them more potent.
- Try smoked or sweet paprika for a flavor twist.
- Add more cayenne or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want extra heat.
- This blend works on any cut of chicken and holds up just as well on pork, fish, and vegetables.
Nutrition
{Originally published 4/21/20, photos and recipe notes updated 10/13/23 to improve reader experience}
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Was just wanting to know if it was a typo or not, thank you for posting my comment and getting back to me so quickly.
Michael
1/8 tablespoon cayenne (optional)?
Should this not be teaspoon?
I like mine a little on the spicy side and since the whole batch makes 1/2 cup it’s not that much. 1/8 tablespoon is 1/3 of a teaspoon. And it is optional…
Hello. Can I use Redmond Real Salt – Ancient Fine Sea Salt? If yes, 1 tbsp? Thank you!
You can but because sea salt tends to have a slightly saltier flavor I would start with 1 teaspoon and slowly add a little more to your liking. That’s my favorite part about making homemade spice mixes; that you can adjust them to suit you:)
I just made your mix this morning to roast a chicken in my crockpot, I added 1/2 a tbls coriander. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
Let me know how it turns out!
Really nice flavor even though I didn’t have the ground mustard to put in it. Will try again with it next time and compare to my usual Kroger Chicken Seasoning Blend.
Can this seasoning be used on chicken for frying?
Yes it can! I like to mix mine in with the flour to make the coating or if you are not using a breading you can just sprinkle it on the chicken and fry.
@Jennifer, I used flour with some cornstarch in it for the breading and I mixed it one part seasoning two parts flour and it’s very good. But I was out of parsley, so I substituted Celery Salt and it came out pretty good. Great mix, thank you.
I love celery salt too! Such a unique flavor. So glad you liked it!
Was just awesome.. Love it
I tried this seasoning mix last night and we loved it! I substituted a small amount of Chipotle seasoning for the Cayenne because that’s what I had on hand. I added 2 T of Brown Sugar. I was happy with the result and will use your mix again. See you on Pinterest!
Thank you! It’s one of my faves. I will have to add the brown sugar like you did and try it! Sounds yummy!
I tried this tonight for my “picky” little guys and they LOVED IT..used it on boneless skinless chicken thighs and fried them in a pan with a touch of oil…. my kids went for seconds! Great recipe to add some life and zest to boring chicken♡ thanks for sharing
Thank you so much! I am so glad you like it! And the kiddos too!
Love it!
I just made & tried this “Chicken Seasoning” on 2 chicken breast grilled in my Air Fryer Grill. WOW! I used a little less salt, used as much pepper as salt, and added 1/4 – teaspoon of chicken bullion crystals. I’m making another batch to have more in my NEW Chicken Seasoning Jar! Thank you so much for this recipe. My chicken was the best I’ve ever made. Yummy!
I am so glad you liked it!!
Would be great if you had a picture of the chicken after applying the spice.
What are your thoughts of covering the chicken in either Virgin Olive Oil or an egg brush so the spice sticks to the chicken?
Better to put the chicken in the pan or the oven, based on this coating?
Thank You!
I will add that to my list of shots to add. Thank you for the recommendation. I like to use olive oil and bake the chicken. If you are going to cook it in the pan, I suggest a light sprinkle with the olive oil and then pan cook. If you are using too high a temp (like on a sear before baking) it could burn the spices. After cooking, another light dusting of the spice. Thanks!
I recommend less salt. But other than that it’s really good
That’s the best thing about making your own spice mixes is that you can control it. I am so glad you liked it!
Thank you for this guide. As a Chicken Lover I am constantly on the lookout for spices and seasonings for that tasty tasty chicken meal. In South Africa (where I am from) you can buy “roast in the bag” ready seasoning, but as I do not live there any more it’s tremendously difficult to find alternative products. The main company brand is “Robertson’s”, and they do all sorts of flavors – my favorite of which are “Barbeque”, “Lemon & Herb”, “Garlic & Rosemary”, “Portuguese” and “Honey & Mustard”. Your article here gives me some great ideas where I can make up my own variations of these by mixing and matching the needed flavors with the base spices you list. If you have any additional tips on how to make a spice more “lemony” or “barbequey”, that would be greatly appreciated! 🙂
My husband only eats chicken breast, but I only had chicken thighs plus a new Actifry, so thought this seasoning might do the trick. I halved the recipe, put a tablespoon of the mix in a small bowl, brushed a TINY amount of oil on top of the thighs and dipped them in the mix. I had some left over, so dipped the undersides as well omitting the oil. It was fabulous! Husband ate all his thighs and said he would have them again. Definitely 5+++. Loved it!
Thanks so much! So glad he likes the thighs now!!
This was good.. Sprinkled it on my fried chicken.. Then sprinkled after it was cooked… Thanks
It’s excellent and next week we intend to use the same mix on pork chops. Many thanks.
Added poultry seasoning and mixed with butter and rubbed down my turkey. Great reviews. Everyone said it was the best ever.
I made this with just 1 chicken breast to add to a pot of soup. The flavors are outstanding. I think its the best soup I’ve ever made. Thanks so much!
Cheers,
Ann
This sounds great and something I really look forward to trying,but how will it be if you fry the chicken instead of grilling or roasting?
I think it will work just fine. You can season the chicken and let it marinate for an hour or so to let the flavors set into the chicken before you fry it. You can also fry the chicken and then sprinkle the seasoning on right after the chicken comes out of the fryer and is still wet so the seasoning will stick to the chicken coating.
Just made it and going to use it in just a short time. Looks good and I tasted it and good. Thanks for the recipe.
I hope you enjoy it!
I enjoyed, thank you very much. Can this go well with pork and lamb?
It certainly can! I use it on pork all the time. Great on ribs on the grill!
We whipped up a batch of this last week, and I’ve used it three times since! Delicious and so so so good!
THIS SOUNDS SO GOOD.i HAVE GOT TOO TRY IT SOON.THANK YOU
I love how easy this is to put together with pantry spices! It’s one of our favorite chicken rubs!
Love this chicken seasoning a lot!!!!!
This is my favorite chicken seasoning!! The first time I used it, my family asked me what I did differently – that this didn’t taste; like “my normal chicken!” We love it! Thanks for the great recipe!
I had all of the ingredients and just that quickly the seasoning is done and it’s delicious. Thank you!
This is a great recipe to have on hand and keep in the cupboard when you don’t know what to make for dinner! Perfect!
What a delicious seasoning blend! This was perfect for our grilled chicken and I am planning on rubbing it on a whole chicken and roasting it as well!