What Seasoning to Put on Baked Chicken (16 Best Options)

There’s nothing like the smell of baked chicken to make your mouth water.

And when you know it’s going to be delicious, it’s even better.

But what seasoning should you use?

The best seasonings to put on baked chicken are salt, pepper, and paprika. When you’re cooking baked chicken, it’s important to season the meat well with salt and pepper so that it can absorb the flavors of the spices. The paprika will also give the chicken a nice color and add flavor.

Seasoning your chicken before baking is ideal because it allows time for the flavors to blend together and ensures that when you serve dinner, all of your guests will enjoy the meal!

Read on for our top picks, and find out which one is right for your next meal!

See Also: 10 Best Herbs and Spices for Baked Chicken

What Seasoning to Put on Baked Chicken

Here are some seasonings to put on baked chicken:

Rosemary

Rosemary is a great way to season your baked chicken. It’s easy to use, and can add a ton of flavor to any dish!

• How to use Rosemary with this kind of dish: Rosemary goes great with chicken. You can sprinkle it on the meat before you cook it, or mix it in with some melted butter or olive oil.
• How much Rosemary to use in this dish: You can add as much or as little rosemary as you like—we recommend using at least a couple of teaspoons. If you’re using fresh rosemary, just make sure that you chop it up before adding it to your dish.
• What other seasonings Rosemary pairs well with: Rosemary pairs really well with thyme, sage, and garlic (both roasted and raw).

Thyme

Thyme is a great seasoning to use on baked chicken because it has a light, delicate flavor that pairs well with the meaty quality of chicken.

It also has a subtle earthiness that you can use to bring out the savory qualities in other foods without overpowering them.

To top it all off, thyme pairs very well with many other herbs and spices!

You can use it as a garnish for steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes, or add it to tomato sauces for extra flavor.

Basil (fresh or Dried)

Basil is a great match for baked chicken because it adds a nice fresh flavor that works well with the buttery taste of baked chicken.

It also goes well with additional seasonings like thyme, rosemary, and oregano.

It’s best to use about 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped basil per pound of chicken. If using dried basil instead, use 1 teaspoon per pound of chicken.

Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, oregano, thyme and rosemary are great additions; however if you want something more exotic try adding some chipotle peppers or even some curry powder!

Sage

Sage is a great seasoning to use on baked chicken.

It’s a versatile herb that pairs well with other seasonings, so you can combine it with your favorite flavor profiles and dishes.

To season your baked chicken, simply sprinkle dried sage over the surface of the meat before baking.

The recommended amount is about 1 teaspoon per pound of meat, but you can adjust to taste.

You can also add fresh sage leaves or chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Sage pairs well with other herbs like rosemary and thyme, as well as pepper and salt (although using too much salt will make your food too salty).

It also tastes delicious when paired with citrus flavors like lemon or orange zest!

Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds are a great way to season your baked chicken.

They’re one of our favorite ways to cook this dish because they have a subtle flavor that goes well with chicken, and it’s easy to use them in a variety of dishes.

Here’s how much you should use for each pound of chicken: 1/2 teaspoon per pound (about 1/8th of an ounce).

If you’re making this dish for just yourself or two people, then one teaspoon should be plenty.

But if you’re cooking for more than that, then go ahead and use the whole half-teaspoon per pound—there’s no such thing as too much fennel seed flavor!

The best way to add fennel seed flavor is by grinding them up in a spice grinder or coffee grinder until they become fine powdery bits.

If you don’t have one of these devices on hand, though, then just crush them between your fingers until they’re broken up into small pieces.

These little guys pair perfectly with other seasonings like paprika or salt & pepper.

Italian Seasoning

Italian seasoning is great for adding flavor to your baked chicken without overpowering the taste of the meat itself.

It contains oregano, basil, thyme, garlic powder and pepper flakes for a perfect blend that will make your mouth water every time you take a bite.

Salt and Pepper

Another great seasoning to put on baked chicken is salt and pepper.

To season your chicken, you can either sprinkle the salt and pepper on top of the chicken before it goes in the oven or mix it into the batter before you bake it.

You’ll want to use about 1/2 teaspoon of each for every pound of chicken you’re cooking.

Onion Powder

Onion powder is a simple seasoning that can be used in a variety of ways.

You can add it to your rub or marinade, or sprinkle it over the meat after it’s been cooked—either way, you’ll end up with delicious results.

There are many ways to use onion powder in cooking and baking.

One of the best ways to use this seasoning is on baked chicken.

The taste of baked chicken is mild and subtle, but when you add onion powder to the mix, it gives it just enough flavor and spice that people will come back for more every time!

You can also use this seasoning with other ingredients that go well together: salt, pepper, garlic powder…the list goes on!

Just remember not to overdo it: too much onion powder can make food taste bitter or overpowering.

If you’re not sure how much is right for your recipe, start small (a pinch will do) and work your way up from there until you find what works best for your tastes!

Garlic Powder

If you’re looking for a seasoning that won’t overpower the taste of your chicken, garlic powder is the way to go.

It’s got just enough flavor to make your chicken pop, but not so much that it distracts from the deliciousness of the meat itself.

You can use garlic powder on its own or in combination with other seasonings like salt, pepper, and paprika.

The best part about using garlic powder is that there are no limits on how much you can add—you can sprinkle as much on top as you’d like without worrying about overdoing it!

Just remember: less is more when it comes to this seasoning.

Garlic powder pairs well with paprika and pepper because they complement each other well while both being strong enough flavors to stand up against each other without getting lost in each other’s presence.

This will give your chicken an extra kick without overwhelming it with too many competing tastes at once!

Mustard Powder

Mustard powder is a great addition to baked chicken because it has a strong flavor that cuts through other seasonings.

It also helps with browning of the meat.

To use mustard powder as an additional seasoning for baked chicken, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of mustard powder over 2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts before baking them at 400°F for 20 minutes or until cooked through. Use 1 tablespoon per 2 pounds of chicken when baking.

If you want even more flavor and a darker crust, try adding some additional salt and pepper along with the mustard powder (1 teaspoon each).

If you want your baked chicken to be more like fried chicken, consider adding 2 tablespoons of cornstarch instead of salt—it will give you a crispy coating on top while keeping the inside tender and juicy!

Soy Sauce

Another great season to put on baked chicken is soy sauce.

To use this seasoning with this kind of dish, you can just drizzle some soy sauce over your baked chicken while it’s in the oven.

For a little more flavor, you can marinate your chicken first in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic powder, and ginger root—just make sure you give it enough time to soak in before putting it in the oven!

You can also brush your baked chicken with some teriyaki sauce before putting it under the broiler for a few minutes at the end.

This gives it a nice sweet flavor that goes well with the salty soy sauce!

This seasoning pairs well with any kind of marinade or glaze that has ingredients like honey or brown sugar.

Olive Oil

If you’re looking for a way to make your baked chicken stand out, olive oil is the perfect way to do it.

Not only is this seasoning delicious, but it’s also pretty easy to use and pairs well with just about anything.

Here’s how:

1. Add 1/2 cup of olive oil to the bottom of your baking dish before placing your chicken in it.
2. Season both sides of your chicken with salt and pepper before adding it to the dish as well.
3. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes (depending on how big your chicken pieces are), or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving!

Melted Butter (for Extra Flavor)

 Melted butter is simple, but it really adds an extra layer of flavor that can’t be beat.

You can use melted butter in place of oil or other fats in your baked chicken, or you can even just drizzle it over the top if you want something a little more subtle.

How much melted butter should you use when baking chicken?

Try about 1/2 teaspoon per pound of chicken.

If you’re also looking for something a little more complex, consider pairing melted butter with lemon juice or hot sauce (or both!).

Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is a little sweet and a little sour—the perfect combination to make your baked chicken taste bold, but not too heavy.

It also has a lower acidity level than many other vinegars, so it won’t overpower the flavor of the chicken itself.

Here’s how to use this seasoning with this kind of dish:

1. Season your chicken liberally before baking it in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes or until it’s done (we recommend using an instant-read thermometer).
2. Make sure to flip your chicken halfway through cooking so it cooks evenly on both sides. You can also cover it with foil if you want it to cook faster!
3. Serve with your favorite side dishes like roasted potatoes and green beans with bacon.

Yum!

Oregano

 One of the best ways to season your baked chicken is with oregano.

It’s got a very earthy flavor that pairs well with warm spices like paprika and cinnamon.

It’s also great for roasting vegetables and other meats, so you can use it in recipes for meatballs or pork chops too!

• How much? Start with about 1/4 teaspoon of oregano for every pound of chicken.
• What else? Oregano pairs well with paprika and cinnamon, so if you want to add those as well, go for it!

Cilantro

 Another one of the best ways to season your baked chicken is with cilantro.

This herb has a fresh, woodsy taste that pairs well with the rich flavors of baked chicken.

Whether you’re serving it up for dinner or putting some aside for leftovers, this seasoning will make any dish more flavorful and delicious.

To use this seasoning on your baked chicken, simply sprinkle some on top before baking—the heat from the oven will help release its flavor into the meat and make it even more flavorful than ever!

You can also mix it into your marinade if you want a stronger cilantro flavor.

Just combine 1/4 cup chopped cilantro with 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 cloves garlic minced finely.

Stir together until well blended then add to your chicken pieces while they marinate prior to cooking.

This will give them added flavor as well as tenderness because of all the moisture being packed into each piece before it goes into the oven!