How can you make your chicken more exciting? Because nobody wants to eat the same exact flavor night after night, even if it is a healthy (and lazy) option. Luckily, there are a ton of seasonings for chicken on the market that can add some extra zing to your wings, or some bang to your breasts, or (if you’re like me) just make you forget that you’re eating chicken for the third night in a row. But which one is right for you? Read on for our ranking of the best seasoning for chicken that you can buy—ready for sprinkling.
To help you out on your spice journey, I sampled a range of chicken seasonings, ranking each on flavor. Here’s the best chicken seasoning you can find at your local store (or Amazon)—including the best seasoning for chicken breast.
Note: We’re just searching for the best seasonings for chicken that are specifically advertised as being seasonings for chicken. If you’re interested in burger seasonings or steak seasoning, many of which work equally well on chicken, check out those rankings.
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- McCormick Perfect Pinch Rotisserie Chicken Seasoning
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There’s a special type of savory goodness you expect from a good rotisserie chicken. And this is the best seasoning for chicken that channels that flavor. With a healthy hit of garlic and paprika, mixed with notes of McCormick’s famous “Lawry’s Seasoned Salt,” this blend gives a strong “Southwest” flavor. (I’d also bet it also includes a healthy amount of cumin, in what the ingredients just lists as “spices.”) It’s a classic, hearty flavor that would fit right in with a bowl of your grandpa’s chili, with just enough heat to give the whole thing a little kick. And all without having to spend your whole day spinning your chicken on a spike over an open flame.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Famous Dave’s Seasoning Chicken Rub
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Despite the blazing fire behind the logo’s pig chef (which definitely seems like an OSHA violation), this is actually the best seasoning for chicken if you like your spice blends on the sweeter side. It is a “mild” blend that describes itself as “savory spice & garlic,” featuring onion, garlic, and paprika. But what makes it stand out is a hint of sweetness, which comes from a blend of carrot, tomatoes, and corn syrup solids. Now, I say “hint” because the sweetness never overpower the bite you get from the mix of bell peppers and mustard. And that combination of sweet and savory gives it a nice layer for those who want more than just straight heat. (But seriously, can someone check to see if that cartoon pig is OK? I REALLY hope those are beef ribs.)
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Weber Kick’n Chicken Seasoning
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If you just want to pile some serious heat on your chicken, then this is the best chicken seasoning for you. The red pepper gives it a lot of eye opening (and sinus opening!) heat, with some onion, garlic, and dried orange peel to give a little extra tang when the heat in your mouth dies down. (Which might take a while. In fact, I’m still waiting.)
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Kinder’s Roast Chicken With Garlic & Herbs Seasoning
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Can’t wait until Thanksgiving to satisfy your cravings for roast bird? This is the best seasoning for chicken for a mini Thanksgiving meal. This blend features a mix of onion, garlic, and other traditional spices that would fit nicely into a classic Thanksgiving Turkey dinner. (NOTE: Awkward conversation with your family not included.) While it would be great on a whole roast chicken, this also might be the best seasoning for chicken breast, since it adds much needed depth of flavor to the blandest of chicken parts.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Stubb’s Chicken Rub (with Sea Salt, Honey, Garlic and Mustard)
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The best seasoning for chicken of the lot is also the hardest to describe, as it’s a mix of different flavors. The first taste you get is some hickory smoke, which flows nicely into the sweetness of the honey and cane sugar. And then the mix of garlic, onion, and bell pepper kicks in to give the whole thing some extra body. It’s just a great blend of spices, all of which combine to make a really tasty rub that earned the title of the best chicken seasoning of them all.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
Best Southwest Flavor
Best Hint of Sweetness
Best Spicy
Best Classic Taste
Best of the Best
Other chicken seasonings we tried: Chef Merito Chicken Seasoning, Lawry’s Casero Pollo Asado Seasoning, McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Chicken
I’ve been seasoning my grilled chicken thighs and beer can chickens with Old Bay seasoning the last few years without complaints. Try it and you won’t be disappointed.
This is a great article – very helpful! Can you do the same for Steaks, burgers, pork, fish, lamb, etc? ? 🙏🙏🙏