This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
My homemade chicken seasoning is a savory blend of spices to compliment your favorite cut of chicken. With just a few simple pantry ingredients, this mix is the perfect all-purpose seasoning for chicken, pork and vegetables!
This is the best chicken seasoning blend for flavorful chicken and pork whether your baking, broiling, air frying or grilling!
Why It Works
- It’s Versatile. I have been using this simple chicken seasoning for at least 15 years. I put it on everything! It’s the spice blend that goes on my Oven Baked Chicken Breasts, Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs, Crispy Baked Chicken Wings, and Chicken Drumsticks.
- It’s Customizable. This blend is truly all-purpose – I even put it on Baked Pork Chops and steaks! It’s easy to customize, too, if you want to mix it up with different flavors. For example, I love oregano with a whole roast chicken because it compliments the lemon so well, so I add some of that to my blend.
- It’s Forgiving. I almost always have a jar of this blend on hand, but when I’m out, I can just sprinkle the spices onto the meat and eyeball the amounts. There is no hard and fast rule to the measurements. It’s super forgiving, and it will stay fresh for at least a year if properly stored.
- Control. Making your own seasoning blends at home is budget-friendly, but it also gives you complete control over what goes in it. Sometimes I’m looking to heighten a certain flavor, like the smoked paprika, so I’ll add a little extra. I do add salt, but if you’re watching your intake, you can omit it and just add it to the meat before cooking for better sodium control.
What to Season Chicken With
My signature spice blend has:
- Kosher salt
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Black pepper
Optional Add-Ins:
- For sweetness – Add some brown sugar.
- For spiciness – Cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, or increase the amount of black pepper.
- For more freshness – Add some dried herbs, like oregano, parsley, basil, rosemary, or dill.
How to Season Chicken
The best way to season chicken, pork, or other proteins, is to first rub just a little bit of olive oil on the meat, then rub in the spice blend. This works for a few reasons.
- The oil helps the spices stick to your meat and also helps to brown the outside and give it a beautiful golden color and crust.
- Rubbing the spices helps them break down and really permeate the meat, as well as blend together for a delicious, savory flavor.
I use even amounts of the garlic, onion, paprika and black pepper, and double that amount for the salt. All you do is mix those spices together. You can make just enough for one meal, or if you love it like I do fill a whole jar with it. Keep it on hand for all of your favorite savory chicken recipes; pork and steak, too!
Storage Tips
How to Store Spices
Make a big batch of this all-purpose seasoning and store it in an airtight container. If you follow these storage tips, your spices will keep fresh for at least a year, often longer!
- Use an airtight container like a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid or a resealable plastic container. I don’t recommend using resealable plastic bags because it can be difficult to get them sealed properly.
- Store spices in a cool, dark place, like your pantry, and away from the stove. Heat and light can cause spices to become bland more quickly.
More Seasoning Blends
I love making homemade spice blends, like Taco Seasoning and Cajun Seasoning and keeping them in my pantry. Homemade tastes so much better than premixed, and I get to control the flavor and salt.
Chicken Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
Instructions
- Combine spices in a small bowl.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months for best quality.
- Rub in seasoning on your favorite cuts of chicken or pork, or sprinkle on vegetables or potatoes.½
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
