Homemade Chicken Seasoning Recipe

Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on March 13, 2025 by Toya

Here’s my go-to everyday homemade chicken seasoning recipe that’s quick and easy to make, packed with the best blend of flavors, and versatile enough to add the best taste to any chicken dish you’re preparing!

I’ve been in the habit of making my own seasoning mixes for a while now! I love the idea of playing around with different spices and herbs to come up with my own unique, tasty mixes. And, today, I’m sharing my go-to chicken seasoning recipe with you! It is packed with flavor and is made with simple kitchen staples you already have on hand!

I cook chicken quite a lot in my household and I think (and my family agrees with me) that I’ve mastered the art of cooking really good chicken! All you need is my handy chicken dry rub if you want to do the same!

This homemade chicken spice mix is also an incredibly versatile base recipe that can be easily customized to suit your taste—feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to make it your own. Leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to six months, so you can make a larger batch to use, saving you time and making it even easier to cook the best chicken dishes.

Plus, this seasoning mix is naturally gluten-free and can easily be made keto friendly if you replace the brown sugar!

So, when next you’re grilling, roasting, or pan-searing some chicken, try out my easy homemade chicken seasoning. Thank me later!

Let me show you how to make this easy spice mix!

---

Chicken Seasoning Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika: Sweet paprika offers some mild sweetness and vibrant color. If you prefer a a smokier flavor, you can substitute with equal parts smoked paprika.
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano: I prefer to use dried oregano for its earthy, slightly bitter notes. But, you can use some Italian seasoning if you have it since it works well with chicken dishes too.
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme: The slightly minty flavor of thyme is the perfect complement to any chicken dish so I love using it in my chicken based seasonings.
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder: I almost always use garlic powder in my seasoning mixes as it helps to add some depth and richness to my homemade seasonings due to its warm, aromatic flavor. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use equal parts granulated garlic instead.
• 2 teaspoons onion powder: Onion powder provides a savory, slightly sweet flavor that complements the other spices so well. I typically use onion powder in my cooking, but if you prefer, you can also use 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of granulated onion as a substitute.
• 2 teaspoons salt: To bring out all those delicious flavors!
• ½ teaspoon black pepper: I also almost always add a 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper to my seasoning mixes. (If you don’t like black pepper, you can skip it, since its flavor is not overpowering and really just serves to bring a gentle heat and balance out all of the other spices. On the other hand, if you love black pepper, you can add however much freshly-cracked black pepper you prefer! (You can easily double or triple the amount in the recipe!)
• ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional for heat):
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional): Adding brown sugar to a chicken seasoning recipe helps balance savory, salty, and spicy flavors with a touch of sweetness. It also promotes caramelization for a crispy, golden-brown exterior.

---

How to Make the Chicken Seasoning

1. Grab a small bowl and add in the oregano, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, chili powder and brown sugar (if adding.)
2. Stir everything together until the seasoning mix is evenly combined. Ensure there are no clumps of brown sugar or other ingredients.
3. Transfer the seasoning mix into an airtight jar or container and store it in a cool, dry place for up to six months.

---

How to Use the Chicken Seasoning

• For Grilled Chicken:
  If you’re grilling chicken, rub cleaned, dried chicken pieces with some olive oil and then sprinkle the seasoning generously on both sides. Rub the seasoning in with your hands then let the chicken sit for 15-30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate before grilling over medium-high heat.
• For Roasted Chicken:
  For a whole chicken or chicken pieces, rub the seasoning all over the skin and under the skin, especially on the breast and thighs. For added moisture and flavor, you can mix the chicken dry rub with some olive oil or melted butter before rubbing it on the chicken. Then roast according to your recipe instructions.
• For Pan-Seared Chicken:
  Coat the chicken breasts or thighs with the chicken seasoning before placing them in a hot skillet with a bit of oil. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown and fully cooked.
• For Chicken Wings:
  Toss the wings in olive oil and sprinkle with the seasoning generously before baking or frying them. You can also add a bit of baking powder to the mix for extra crispy chicken wings.

---

Tips for Perfectly Seasoned Chicken

• Don’t Overdo It:
  When using this seasoning recipe, start with a moderate amount of seasoning and taste as you go. It’s easy to add more seasoning later if you like. I typically like to use 1 tablespoon of this seasoning mix for 1 pound of chicken.
• Let the Chicken Sit:
  After seasoning, let the chicken rest for about 15-30 minutes before cooking. This allows the flavors to penetrate into the meat, and adds more flavor to the chicken.
• Use the Right Amount of Oil or Butter:
  If you’re grilling or roasting, don’t forget to coat the chicken in a bit of olive oil or butter before adding the dry rub. This helps the dry rub stick to the meat while also adding some extra flavor and moisture.
• Try Making a Marinade:
  For a deeper flavor, mix your homemade chicken seasoning with some olive oil, lemon juice, or vinegar to create a marinade. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours before cooking. This makes for the most flavorful chicken ever!

---

Variations and Flavor Ideas

This basic chicken seasoning recipe is incredibly versatile, so please feel free to play around with different ingredients to make a spice mix that will best suit you and your needs! For example, you could…

• Make Smoky BBQ Chicken Seasoning: I added them as optional ingredients above, but you can easily make the best smoky BBQ chicken seasoning by replacing sweet paprika with equal parts smoked paprika and a teaspoon of brown sugar. This spice mix is perfect if you’re making grilled or roasted chicken and want that BBQ-like taste.
• Make Citrus Herb Chicken Seasoning: Simply add some lemon zest and some fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro to your seasoned chicken to give your chicken that bright, refreshing flavor.
• Make Spicy Chicken Seasoning: For some heat, add ½ a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chili powder to the spice mix.
• Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Seasoning: Add about 2 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and an extra teaspoon of garlic powder for a rich, savory seasoning blend. This is perfect for chicken tenders or roasted chicken thighs.