Chicken is one of the easiest proteins to cook, but it can also be one of the easiest to make boring. The good news is that you do not need complicated marinades, loads of oil or a cupboard full of ingredients to make chicken taste better.
Whether you are cooking chicken breast, thighs, drumsticks or strips, the right seasoning can completely transform the finished dish.
Here are 10 easy ways to season chicken and add more flavour.
- Peri-peri
Peri-peri is a brilliant choice if you like chicken with a bit of heat. It usually combines chilli, paprika, garlic, herbs and citrus-style flavours to create a spicy, savoury coating.
It works particularly well with chicken breast, chicken thighs and chicken strips.
Serve it with rice, wedges, salad or inside wraps for an easy midweek meal.
- Lemon and herb
Lemon and herb seasoning is fresh, light and incredibly versatile.
The combination of citrus, herbs and savoury seasoning works particularly well with chicken breast and is a good option when you want something flavourful without too much heat.
Pair lemon and herb chicken with roasted vegetables, potatoes, couscous or a simple salad.
- Jerk seasoning
Jerk chicken is packed with flavour.
Traditional jerk-style seasoning combines warming spices, herbs and chilli to create a distinctive sweet, savoury and spicy flavour.
It is especially good with chicken thighs, but it also works well with chicken breast.
Serve with rice, corn, salad or roasted vegetables.
- Garlic and herb
Garlic and herb is one of the easiest chicken seasoning combinations because it works with almost anything.
Garlic, parsley, oregano, thyme and black pepper can turn a plain piece of chicken into something much more interesting.
It is also a useful seasoning if you are cooking chicken to use later in salads, sandwiches or pasta dishes.
- Paprika and garlic
Paprika adds warmth and colour without necessarily making the chicken very spicy.
Combine paprika with garlic, salt, pepper and a little onion powder for a simple seasoning that works brilliantly on chicken breast or thighs.
Smoked paprika can add an even deeper flavour.
- Cajun-style seasoning
If you like bold flavours, Cajun-style seasoning is another excellent option.
It typically combines paprika, garlic, onion, herbs and chilli.
Use it on chicken strips and serve with rice, pasta or inside wraps.
- Honey and mustard
Honey and mustard is a classic sweet and savoury combination.
Mixing mustard with a little honey can create a simple glaze for chicken, although it can be slightly messier than using a dry seasoning.
It works particularly well with chicken thighs and roasted chicken breast.
- BBQ seasoning
BBQ-style chicken does not have to be cooked outside.
A smoky BBQ seasoning can give chicken a rich, savoury flavour whether you cook it in the oven, frying pan or air fryer.
Serve it with wedges, coleslaw or corn for an easy dinner.
- Mediterranean herbs
Oregano, basil, garlic and thyme are a simple way to give chicken a Mediterranean-style flavour.
Add tomatoes, peppers, courgettes or olives and you have the basis of a very easy traybake.
- Use a Flavour Sheet
If you want seasoned chicken without measuring spices, mixing marinades or covering your kitchen in seasoning, Flavour Sheets offer a much simpler option.
You simply place the chicken onto the seasoning sheet, wrap it around the chicken and cook.
The seasoning transfers directly onto the chicken while it cooks, giving you an even coating of flavour without the usual preparation and mess.
Flavour Sheets are particularly useful for quick lunches and midweek dinners when you want tasty chicken but do not want to spend time preparing a marinade.
How do you get seasoning to stick to chicken?
One of the biggest problems when seasoning chicken is getting the flavour to stay where you put it.
Dry seasoning can fall off when the chicken is moved, while marinades can require oil, bowls and additional preparation.
Patting chicken dry before applying traditional seasoning can help spices stick more effectively.
Alternatively, using a seasoning transfer sheet keeps the seasoning in direct contact with the chicken during cooking.
Should you season chicken before or after cooking?
For most chicken dishes, seasoning before cooking gives the best result.
It allows the flavours to cook with the chicken rather than simply sitting on the surface afterwards.
Some finishing seasonings, sauces and herbs can still be added after cooking, but the main seasoning is usually best applied beforehand.
How long should seasoning sit on chicken?
You do not always need to leave seasoned chicken for hours.
Many dry seasonings can be applied immediately before cooking.
Marinades are often left for longer, but if you are short on time, a seasoning method that transfers flavour while the chicken cooks can be much more convenient.
The easiest way to make chicken taste better
Good chicken does not need to be complicated.
Start with a flavour you enjoy, season the chicken properly and avoid overcooking it.
Whether you choose peri-peri, jerk, lemon and herb, garlic, BBQ or something completely different, adding the right seasoning is one of the simplest ways to turn plain chicken into a meal you actually look forward to eating.
Flavour Sheets make that process even easier: Wrap. Cook. Enjoy.