We’ve all eaten a tasteless chicken breast at one point in our life—at the dining hall, at a family dinner, maybe even at a restaurant. There is nothing more disappointing than a dry piece of meat without any flavor, especially since it is not that hard to spice up a traditional chicken breast. Here are the best seasonings for chicken breasts so that this protein actually has flavor.
Hopefully, you’ll never be left eating a hard, flavorless meat again with these seasonings.
1. Trader Joe’s Chili Lime Seasoning Blend
This flavor combination comes from Mexican street vendors and is traditionally used on fresh fruits and vegetables, but it is equally as delicious on chicken breasts.
I would recommend sprinkling some of this chile lime seasoning blend on the chicken before grilling to get the best flavor.
2. Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute
A great everyday salt-free spice mix, 21 Seasoning Salute is full of flavor. Sprinkle this on chicken breasts before roasting or grilling for a delicious and versatile protein.
3. Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Sesame Blend
This sesame seasoning blend is for more than just bagels. Roasting chicken breasts is the best way to taste the seasoning and if you’re feeling fancy, you can even make an everything bagel chicken sandwich.
4. Soy Sauce & Ginger
Marinade chicken breasts in a mix of soy sauce and ginger for a tasty and fresh flavor. Serve with a side of brown rice and steamed broccoli to complete this healthy dinner.
5. Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki is another easy marinade that doubles as a stir-fry sauce. Cook the chicken breasts before adding some veggies to the pan, and then serve over soba or udon noodles with a drizzle of teriyaki.
6. Honey Mustard
Make a one-pan meal by roasting chicken breasts and potato wedges tossed in honey mustard. Serve with a side salad for a sweet and savory meal.
7. Garlic Rosemary
This classic spice combination can be prepared by mixing some chopped garlic and dried rosemary. For a little twist, sauteé the garlic and rosemary in a pan for 30 seconds before adding the chicken, which will allow the spices and juices to mix more quickly.
8. Pesto
If you’re feeling fancy, make your own pesto with fresh basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan. In a time crunch, pick up a jar and use it to top grilled chicken breasts. The best part: you can use any leftovers in a pesto chicken pasta salad the next day.
9. Tomato Basil
Use this flavor combination for Italian tastes. Either use chopped tomatoes and fresh basil to make a nice topping or add dried basil to tomato sauce and bake chicken breasts for a richer meal.
10. Brown Sugar & Paprika
Although a slightly different flavor mix, this combo of brown sugar and paprika creates the perfect combination of caramelized sweetness and punch. Grill chicken breasts in this marinade for the tastiest flavors.
11. Balsamic Vinegar
Simple, sweet, and tasty with other herbs, balsamic vinegar can be used as both a marinade and a finishing sauce. Elevate your game by adding grilled peaches, or just keep it simple with a little salt and pepper.
12. Lemon Thyme
Another simple yet delicious flavor combination, lemon thyme works great as a light seasoning for chicken breasts. If you’re grilling the chicken, add in some lemon slices to squeeze over the chicken after cooking for a slightly sour and bright finish.
Whether you’re roasting, grilled, or pan-frying, these are some of the best seasonings for chicken breasts that will do the trick for any flavor preference.