Chicken is perhaps the most versatile piece of meat there is. From grilled chicken breast and a whole chicken from the oven to chicken thighs from the barbecue or a quick stir-fry: with the right herbs you can turn a simple dish into something special. But which herbs actually go best with chicken? And when do you use single herbs, a spice mix or a marinade?

In this complete guide you will discover which herbs pair well with chicken, how to best season chicken and which herb combinations suit different cooking methods. You will also find practical tips, frequently asked questions and recipe inspiration.

Why is chicken so suitable for seasoning?

Chicken has a mild flavor on its own. Because of that it absorbs herbs, spices and marinades well. With a few simple ingredients you can give the same chicken breast a completely different taste.

Think for example of:

• Mediterranean with oregano, basil and garlic
• Spicy Mexican with cumin, paprika and chili
• Asian with ginger, coriander and garlic
• BBQ with smoked paprika, pepper and onion
• Fresh with lemon, thyme and black pepper

Precisely because chicken is so neutral, you can vary endlessly.

Which herbs go best with chicken?

1. Paprika powder

Paprika powder is one of the most popular spices for chicken. It gives a mild, slightly sweet flavor and also ensures a nice golden-brown color during frying or grilling.

Good with:

• Chicken breast
• Chicken from the oven
• Barbecue
• Airfryer

2. Garlic

Garlic is almost indispensable with chicken. Both dried garlic and fresh garlic combine excellently with almost all other herbs.

Pairs well with:

• Paprika
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Lemon
• Rosemary

3. Onion

Onion gives depth and a savory base flavor. Dried onion is ideal in dry spice mixes.

Perfect for:

• BBQ rubs
• Casseroles
• Traybakes

4. Thyme

Thyme has a warm, herbal flavor that pairs excellently with roasted chicken and stews.

Delicious with:

• Lemon
• Garlic
• Rosemary

5. Rosemary

Rosemary gives chicken a Mediterranean character and goes particularly well with potatoes and vegetables from the oven.

Ideal for:

• Whole chicken
• Chicken thighs
• Oven dishes

6. Oregano

Oregano is widely used in Italian and Greek cuisine. It gives chicken a fresh, herbal flavor.

Combine with:

• Basil
• Garlic
• Lemon

7. Basil

Basil is milder in flavor and pairs well with chicken with tomato, mozzarella or pasta.

8. Cumin

Cumin gives chicken a warm, earthy flavor and is widely used in Mexican and Middle Eastern dishes.

Perfect for:

• Wraps
• Tacos
• Burritos

9. Coriander

Coriander seed has a fresh, citrus-like flavor that pairs well with cumin and ginger.

10. Smoked paprika

Smoked paprika gives chicken an instant barbecue-like flavor, even when you simply cook in the oven or airfryer.

11. Chili

For those who like some heat, chili is an excellent addition.

12. Lemon pepper

Lemon pepper combines fresh citrus with black pepper. Ideal for chicken breast, salads and summer dishes.

The tastiest herb combinations for chicken

1. Classic chicken spices

• Paprika
• Garlic
• Onion
• Black pepper
• Thyme

A versatile combination that works almost always.

2. Mediterranean chicken

• Oregano
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Garlic
• Lemon

Perfect for chicken from the oven or on the barbecue.

3. BBQ chicken

• Smoked paprika
• Garlic
• Onion
• Chili
• Black pepper

Gives a full, smoky flavor.

4. Mexican chicken

• Cumin
• Paprika
• Chili
• Oregano
• Garlic

Delicious for wraps, tacos and burritos.

5. Asian chicken

• Ginger
• Garlic
• Coriander
• Chili

Nice in stir-fries or skewers.

Which herbs suit different types of chicken?

1. Chicken breast

Because chicken breast is quite lean, you can generously use herbs.

Good choices are:

• Lemon pepper
• Paprika
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Garlic

2. Chicken thighs

Chicken thighs have more fat and therefore more flavor. They can handle strong herbs well.

Think of:

• Smoked paprika
• Rosemary
• Chili
• Cumin

3. Whole chicken

For a whole chicken classic herbs often work best.

Use for example:

• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Garlic
• Paprika
• Lemon

Which herbs do you use per cooking method?

1. Chicken from the oven

Warm herbs such as paprika, thyme, rosemary and garlic come into their own beautifully.

2. Chicken from the airfryer

Because the cooking time is shorter, finer herbs often work better.

Good options:

• Paprika
• Lemon pepper
• Garlic
• Italian herbs

3. Chicken on the barbecue

Use herbs that can withstand high temperatures.

Such as:

• Smoked paprika
• Pepper
• Garlic
• Chili
• Onion

4. Grilled chicken

Choose a fresh combination of lemon, oregano, basil and black pepper.

Make your own chicken spices

With a few spices you can easily make your own chicken seasoning.

A basic recipe consists of:

• 2 parts paprika powder
• 1 part garlic powder
• 1 part onion powder
• 1 part thyme
• ½ part black pepper
• optionally a little chili

Want to learn step by step how to make a balanced spice mix yourself? Then also read our blog Making your own chicken spices: how do you go about it?

Prefer a ready-made spice mix?

Do you have little time or want to try something different? Then spice mixes are an easy way to quickly add lots of flavor.

Depending on the dish you can for example choose:

• Lemon Pepper for fresh chicken dishes (see here for a Lemon Pepper chicken recipe)
• Hurry Curry for spicy chicken curries and stir-fries.
• The One Pan Show for casseroles and traybakes with chicken and vegetables.
• Beef BBQ Chief for a rich barbecue and grill flavor that also surprisingly goes well with chicken.

This way you give each dish its own character without having to measure out different herbs yourself.

Common mistakes when seasoning chicken

• Using too few herbs: Chicken has a mild flavor. Therefore don't be afraid to season generously.
• Seasoning after cooking: Most herbs actually develop their aroma during cooking. Therefore season chicken preferably before cooking.
• Only using salt and pepper: With herbs such as paprika, thyme, oregano or cumin you add much more flavor.
• Seasoning wet chicken: Pat the chicken dry first before adding herbs. This way the herbs stay on better and you get a nicer crust.
• Using only one herb: It is combinations of herbs that provide a fuller and more balanced flavor.

Frequently asked questions

1. Which herbs go best with chicken?

Paprika, garlic, thyme, oregano, rosemary, lemon pepper, onion and black pepper are among the most popular herbs for chicken.

2. When is the best time to season chicken?

Preferably before frying, grilling or roasting. This gives the herbs a chance to release their flavor.

3. Can you season chicken a day in advance?

Yes. By seasoning chicken for several hours or overnight the flavors penetrate deeper into the meat.

4. Which herbs suit chicken from the airfryer?

Paprika, garlic, lemon pepper, Italian herbs and smoked paprika do excellently in the airfryer.

5. Which herbs do you use for grilled chicken?

Oregano, basil, garlic, lemon, smoked paprika and black pepper are popular choices.

6. Are fresh or dried herbs better?

Both have advantages. Dried herbs are more potent and ideal for rubs and spice mixes. Fresh herbs provide a fresh finishing touch.

Discover more inspiration

Are you looking for even more ideas? Also check out our recipes and blogs about chicken, barbecue, airfryer and spice mixes. That way you continually discover new flavor combinations and learn how to easily add more taste to every meal with natural herbs and spices.