Lemon Herb Chicken Seasoning
On February 25, 2025 (Updated March 27, 2025)
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This Lemon Herb Chicken Seasoning is easy to make at home and uses common pantry ingredients so you can make a batch in a pinch. Sprinkle on any grilled, baked, or pan-seared chicken to add a classic, fresh flavor.
Chicken Seasoning
Let’s face it, I’m not one to use the oven or crock pot much. If I’m cooking chicken, it’ll most likely end up on the grill. With how often I grill chicken for my family, I needed a sugar-free blend that would stand up well to the high heat of a grill without burning.
While I have my tried and true Homemade Sweet BBQ Rub for chicken, it’s best used when smoking or cooking over indirect heat. For that direct, hot heat of the grill, this lemon herb chicken seasoning is what I reach for. It ensures my chicken doesn’t burn while cooking.
In fact, this grilled chicken seasoning works perfectly with hot and fast grilled chicken breasts, as well as juicy chicken thighs and chicken tenders for a quick weeknight dinner. If you want a savory whole chicken cooked on the grill, I recommend drizzling the chicken with extra virgin olive oil and then sprinkling the rub liberally on all sides before grilling.
How to Season Chicken
Seasoning chicken is a complete no-brainer. This particular seasoning is a dry seasoning, so it is perfect to use by just sprinkling liberally on all sides of your skinless chicken pieces. You can also give it a little pat to help it stick to the surface of the chicken. Just take care not to rub vigorously on the meat, or you’ll rub all the seasoning off the chicken. Be gentle and you’re good to go.
If you are cooking boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken with the skin on, I recommend using some kind of binder to help attach the seasoning to the chicken. My favorite binder to use is extra virgin olive oil, but any cooking oil will work. The oil also helps the skin on the chicken to get nice and crispy. This recipe has the zest of one whole lemon in it, so I recommend squeezing some fresh lemon juice over the chicken during the cooking process for extra flavor.
This seasoning isn’t just for grilled chicken—it also works great for baked chicken. If you’re roasting chicken with potatoes, green beans, or other vegetables, simply toss everything in olive oil and sprinkle with this seasoning before baking at medium-high heat.
So there you have it. Bind, sprinkle, pat. Done! You now have a perfectly seasoned chicken that is ready to head out to the grill!
Best Seasoning for Chicken
The best seasoning for chicken needs a few layers of flavor that work nicely together to complement the chicken, not overpower it. This seasoning blend includes smoked paprika for a nice smoky flavor, and a great mix of dried herbs. Last but not least, a touch of fresh lemon zest to keep things tasting bright and crisp.
Another great thing about this seasoning is that it complements the flavor of the meat without being overpowering. This chicken seasoning is really great because you can use leftovers in any type of dish without the flavor taking over. I like to use up extra chicken made with this seasoning in dishes like Chicken Pot Pie, Brunswick Stew, or even sliced over a fresh salad.
If you’re looking for a simple chicken marinade, you can whisk together this seasoning with some extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and minced cloves of garlic. Let your chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes before grilling or baking for an extra punch of flavor.
Ingredients for Chicken Seasoning
Here’s what you’ll need to snag to mix together for this recipe. For a full, printable recipe with ingredient amounts and full instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post.
- Kosher salt
- Smoked paprika
- Black pepper
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Thyme
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Lemon zest
To make this seasoning, simply combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. You can use a fork to break up any large chunks as needed. This seasoning can be used immediately, or you can store it in an airtight container (like these spice bottles) for up to 6 months. I always recommend using your spices sooner rather than later because they taste best when newly mixed.
More Seasoning Recipes
Here at Hey Grill Hey I like to make things from scratch, including sauces and seasonings. If you’re looking for the perfect seasoning for pork, beef, and seafood, here are a few favorites below. You can also browse all my seasoning recipes here.
Recipes
The Best Pork Chop Seasoning
Recipes
The BEST Steak Seasoning
Rubs & Seasonings
Sweet & Smoky Salmon Seasoning
Rubs & Seasonings
The Best Blackened Seasoning
Chicken Seasoning Recipe
Chicken Seasoning
Video
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 lemon zest
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients. Use a fork to mix all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.1 Tablespoon Kosher salt, 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 lemon
- Season and store. Sprinkle seasoning liberally on chicken before grilling, roasting, or searing. Seasoning mix can be stored in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**I originally published this post in September 2018, but recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. However, the recipe remains the same.
This is a very good rub/seasoning. My wife and I loved it. We basted the chicken with barbecue sauce maybe 10 minutes before it was done, which added a nice compliment to the rub.
Both my wife and I enjoyed your smoked chicken breast receipt. thank you
I use this recipe all the time. It gives really good flavor to my grilled pork loin.
great tease, easy to cook even on my gas grill
This is as good as it gets! Smoked a six pound chicken at 225. When the thigh temperature reached 168, cranked the temperature up to 400. Best decision I could have made! The skin was very crispy, and allowed me to eat it just like I would fried chicken. Soooo Tasty! Love this recipe. Will be using this recipe on my rotisserie chicken also so. Thank you.
A great oil for using when grilling meats is grapeseed oil as it has a high smoking temperature. A vendor at our local farmer’s market sells garlic infused grapeseed oil which I find fantastic on just about any grilled meat, especially a steak or chicken. It’s hard to beat mixed with red wine vinegar for a beef marinade or just as a dressing on a tossed salad.