To season chicken breast, a simple and effective method is to pat the chicken dry, then coat it liberally with a blend of seasonings. Common and delicious seasoning combinations include:
- Basic seasoning: salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika (smoked or sweet).
- Additional herbs such as dried oregano, thyme, Italian seasoning, or parsley can also be added for extra flavor.
- For a richer taste, after seasoning, the chicken can be cooked with a little butter added to the pan to baste the meat.
Here is a simple seasoning process:
- Pat the chicken breast dry with a paper towel.
- In a bowl, mix your chosen dry seasonings.
- Sprinkle and rub the seasoning evenly over all sides of the chicken.
- Let the chicken sit for at least 15 minutes (or up to 2 hours) to let the flavors meld.
- Cook as preferred by pan-searing, baking, or grilling.
Some seasoning blend ideas are:
- Steak seasoning plus smoked paprika and sweet paprika.
- Paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Paprika, garlic powder, thyme, salt, and pepper.
The key is to not under-season and to ensure the seasoning covers the entire surface for the best flavor. Using a little oil or butter when cooking helps the seasoning stick and adds moisture.
This method results in flavorful, juicy chicken breast suitable for many dishes.
