Fried chicken is a comfort food that people all over the world love. When seasoned and cooked right, it has a golden brown, crispy outside that surrounds tender, juicy meat on the inside. But bland fried chicken just doesn’t cut it. How you season your chicken is the key to making it taste even better.
What’s the best way to season fried chicken? There are a few key things that work together to make sure that fried chicken is always flavorful.
A Flavorful Spice Blend Provides the Base
A mix of fragrant spices is the building block of great fried chicken seasoning. These strong, warm spices give the meat flavor that goes through every bite. Here are some must-have spices and herbs for fried chicken:
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• Smoked paprika: This gives the seasoning mix a rich color and a hint of sweet smoke.
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Garlic powder – Garlic provides a pungent flavor that works so well with chicken. Granulated garlic can also be used.
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Onion powder – Like garlic, onion brings a savory, aromatic element. Onion granules are another option.
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Black pepper – A bit of spicy heat and bite balances out the other seasonings
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Dried thyme – Earthy thyme is a natural pairing with chicken.
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Oregano – The brightness of oregano balances the other bold spices.
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Rosemary – Rosemary’s woodsy herbal notes round out the spice blend.
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Cayenne pepper (optional) – For extra heat and a touch of chili flavor.
Buttermilk or Eggs Add Richness and Help the Coating Stick
Before dredging the chicken in the flavorful seasoned flour or breadcrumbs, give it a soak or coating in buttermilk or beaten eggs. Not only do they add moisture and tenderness to the chicken, but the fat and proteins help the crust adhere.
Buttermilk’s thick, tangy creaminess complements the spices, while eggs offer rich flavor of their own. Either works wonderfully! For an extra kick, hot sauce can also be added to the egg mixture.
Letting the chicken marinate for a while in buttermilk allows the flavor to fully permeate the meat. Even just 20-30 minutes makes a difference, but for maximum impact, marinating for several hours in the fridge is ideal.
Season Both the Chicken and the Breadcrumbs/Flour
For the crispiest, most flavor-packed fried chicken, the seasoning doesn’t stop with the spice rub on the chicken itself. The breading needs love too.
By adding the seasonings directly into the flour or breadcrumb coating, every bit of the crunchy exterior gets that flavor boost.
When using flour, add a few tablespoons of the spice blend to the flour and mix it thoroughly so it is evenly distributed. For a more involved breading like panko crumbs or corn flakes, mix the seasoning in before coating the marinated chicken.
This double dose of seasoning ensures maximum flavor in every component of the fried chicken.
Pro Tips for Next-Level Fried Chicken Seasoning
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Play around with the proportions of the spices to suit your taste. Like it extra garlicky or spicy? Amp those elements up.
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For a truly Southern flavor, add cayenne pepper, paprika, dried parsley, thyme, basil, and celery salt to the flour.
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Let the chicken marinate in buttermilk overnight in the fridge for the most tender and flavorful meat.
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Use MSG in the seasoning blend – it enhances the savory flavors.
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For a crisper crust, add some cornstarch to the seasoned flour.
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Herbes de Provence seasoning blend adds a lovely aromatic element – use instead of the individual dried herbs.
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For a deliciously salty, umami boost, add a pinch of MSG to the seasoning blend.
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Let the breaded chicken sit for 10-15 minutes before frying to help the coating adhere better.
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Track down smoked paprika or make your own by smoking regular paprika.
With the right blend of spices and herbs, buttermilk or egg for moisture and adhesion, and double seasoning of both the chicken and the flour or crumbs, fried chicken gets that crispy, crave-worthy flavor. Experiment with the proportions and spice combinations to craft a signature seasoning that suits your tastes. The possibilities are endless for infusing fried chicken with incredible flavor. Just keep these seasoning fundamentals in mind, and you’ll never suffer a bland fried chicken again.
Best Cuts for Fried Chicken
When making fried chicken, I stick to drumsticks, thighs, and wings—but honestly, you can fry any part of the chicken.
The Secret Ingredient: Mayo!
I know, I know—it sounds weird, BUT trust me on this. Mayo makes the chicken incredibly crispy and flavorful, plus it saves you a trip to the store for buttermilk. You can also combine mayo and buttermilk for extra crunch!.
How To Make Crispy Sweet & Spicy Fried Chicken Tenders
FAQ
What spices are in fried chicken?
Key spices in this seasoning typically include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder, poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper. What is the secret to good fried chicken? Soul food is a comforting cuisine that originates from African American culture in the Southern United States.
What is a good fried chicken seasoning mix?
A great combination includes garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black and red pepper. I’m excited to share my acclaimed Southern fried chicken seasoning mix. This is what you’ve been looking for—a blend of premium spices that delivers savory flavor every time! Garlic powder lays the foundation with its robust, earthy tone.
What herbs go well with fried chicken?
Basil might not be the first herb that comes to mind when you think of fried chicken, but its sweet and spicy taste can add a fun twist. It pairs beautifully with garlic, onion, and paprika in fried chicken recipes. For a guide on the different types of basil and their uses in fried chicken, visit this resource.
What is a good spice mix for chicken thighs?
I mix a delicious blend of salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, 2 kinds of paprika, and oregano to create this DIY spice blend. It has a balanced flavor and is a wonderful all-purpose seasoning for chicken breasts, thighs, wings, and more.
How do you season Fried Chicken?
Together, these ingredients form a balanced and flavorful seasoning that elevates the taste of your fried chicken to new heights. Put the dried thyme, basil, oregano, black pepper, sea salt, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Add the garlic powder and onion powder.
Can you use fried chicken seasoning mix on chicken thighs?
Because you can use this fried chicken seasoning mix on chicken thighs, breasts, wings, legs, and even the whole chicken, you should always keep it in your kitchen cabinet. Be it fried chicken with no breading or Southern fried chicken style, this seasoning mix will give it amazing flavor.
What spices to use for fried chicken?
Combine flour, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken pieces to the bag and toss to coat. Place floured chicken pieces on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, reserving remaining flour in bag.
Which seasoning goes well with chicken?
Other great flavors for chicken are parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Both oregano and lemon balm work very well with poultry, as does marjoram. I would add basil to the list but, if you are sensitive to mint, than that is probably off the menu as well.
What are the secret seasonings for fried chicken?
Key Ingredients for Fried Chicken
Seasoning mixture: Make a flavorful seasoning mixture with smoked paprika, white pepper, garlic powder, ground ginger, celery salt, black pepper, ground mustard, dried thyme, dried basil, and dried oregano.
Are you supposed to season chicken before frying?
Seasoning Before Cooking: – Flavor Penetration: Seasoning the chicken in advance allows the flavors to penetrate the meat, enhancing its overall taste. – Moisture Retention: Salt can help retain moisture in the chicken, leading to juicier results.