Chicken and beef are versatile in any cuisine; however, some might find difficulty finding the perfect herbs and spices to make your chicken or beef dish stand out. Here is a list of spice and herb blends that will help you spice up the flavour of your chicken and meat recipes.
Paprika and garlic powder
Paprika is a great spice that makes any chicken dish stand out, it comes in many forms sweet, hot, regular and smoky. Adding paprika to chicken gives it an irresistible savoury and warm flavour. Garlic is a universal spice found almost in every cuisine. Garlic basically works with any chicken dish whether you’re planning on making a warm bowl of chicken soup, a fiery chicken curry or a tangy chicken alfredo. Adding both spice blends will add a thrilling aromatic touch that will help elevate your dish and take it to the next level.
Basil and rosemary
This delicate spice can be paired with any beef dish. It gives an interesting sweet and refreshing flavour, making a hearty meat dish brighter and delicious. This aromatic herb also comes with many health benefits, it is a great source of iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Rosemary enhances the flavour of many lamb and beef dishes, just place a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or sprinkle dried rosemary on top of the meat before roasting. Basil and rosemary make a great marinade ingredient for Mediterranean-style meat dishes but be careful when adding rosemary because this rich herb can overpower the flavour of your meat dish so use it wisely.
Ginger and lemongrass
No Asian or Indian chicken dish would be complete without this sweet and peppery spice. It is often the star of dishes such as chicken stir-fry, butter chicken and spicy chicken tikka masala. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can improve the immunity of the body. Indigenous to southeast Asia, lemongrass is a star ingredient in Vietnamese and Thai cuisines especially in soups and noodle dishes. If you are looking to cook a fresh and flavorful Asian chicken dish, then ginger and lemongrass are the prefect spice blends to use.
Turmeric and chili
This bright yellow rich spice is commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s the essence of every chicken curry, stew and roast dish. However, make sure to be extra careful when you sprinkle turmeric into your dish because the bright yellow colour will stain everything, from clothes to cooking utensils. If you want to balance out your turmeric-based dish, then chili powder is the right spice to use. This fiery spice is also packed with vitamin C which helps boost immunity and can heal injuries and infections.
Coriander and cumin
Coriander seeds give any chicken dish a bright citrusy flavour, it is mostly used in a range of Asian, Middle Eastern and Latin dishes. Coriander pairs well with chicken curries or a quick nutritious chicken lettuce wrap. Cumin is greatly present in Mexican dishes; no chicken enchilada or chicken quesadilla dish is complete without this earthy spice. Coriander and cumin are a great spice blend to experiment with when preparing chicken dishes, here is your chance to bring something new to the dinner table.
Now that you know the most common spice blends that perfectly tie any chicken or beef meal, it’s time to get cooking. But first head to the Waterfront Market and pick up fresh spices and herbs to season your meal. The Waterfront Market offers the widest selection of aromatic and vibrant spices and herbs.
FAQs
Beef tastes great when seasoned with oregano, rosemary, sage, garlic or a combination of these seasonings. Poultry gets an added burst of flavor with spices like paprika, lemongrass and saffron. Fish can be made more flavorful with dry mustard powder, thyme and turmeric.
What is the best seasoning for meat? ›
Beef tastes great when seasoned with oregano, rosemary, sage, garlic or a combination of these seasonings. Poultry gets an added burst of flavor with spices like paprika, lemongrass and saffron. Fish can be made more flavorful with dry mustard powder, thyme and turmeric.
What can I add to chicken breast for flavor? ›
Spices: Garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, and cumin add savoriness and flavor to the chicken. Spices like paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and Cajun seasoning add heat and smokiness to the chicken.
What brings out the flavor in chicken? ›
Marinating not only adds flavor, but the combination of healthy fat and acid in most recipes also helps tenderize the meat. A good marinade is roughly three parts oil to one part acid, plus salt and other seasonings like spices, crushed garlic, or a little natural sugar.
What seasoning makes meat tender? ›
Choose your tenderizer—salt, baking soda, citrus, or vinegar. Patricia was the assistant food editor at Southern Living and worked with the Southern Living food team from 2006-2022.
What meat does oregano go with? ›
Our pure oregano is a delicious addition to any tomato dish, eggs and omelets, chicken, fish and pork, cooked vegetables, vinaigrettes and more. Consider it your go-to herb for that real Mediterranean flavor.
What is the king of herbs and spices? ›
Basil King of Herbs
In fact basil got its name from Greek which means “king” or “royalty”. The herbal king has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years.
Which herb is called the queen of herbs? ›
Key PointsTulsi: Tulsi is known as 'The Queen of Herbs' and is the most sacred herb of India. The scientific name of Tulsi is Ocimum Sanctum.
What makes chicken more tasty? ›
Medjool dates and fresh herbs:
Then roughly chop a handful of pitted Medjool dates, pistachio nuts, and fresh herbs such as parsley and sage. Mix together with breadcrumbs and the cooked onion and stuff into your chicken breast before baking. You can also swap the dates for a different dried fruit, like cranberries.
How do you season chicken like a pro? ›
Some of the spices that go well with roast chicken are paprika, rosemary, thyme, sage, turmeric, fenugreek or clove powder. Whatever you opt for, the key to getting the maximum aroma and flavour from these spices is to combine them with olive oil.
Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of Szechuan pepper mix and 4 tablespoons lemon salt over every inch of the chicken. Be sure to spread open the wings and chicken legs and rub seasoning in all the crevasses to ensure maximum flavor in the meat and drippings.
When should you add spices when cooking chicken? ›
Yes, you should always season your chicken before cooking when it's raw. You can even do this up to 24 hours before if you have the time. Why? Because leaving the seasoning on your chicken overnight in the fridge will help it start to trap moisture in the chicken, which will make it nice and juicy once cooked.
How to make chicken taste better? ›
Marinate them.
If you're cooking chicken breasts without skin or fat, infuse them with some extra flavor and liquid to keep them tender. Choose your favorite marinade and throw them in a ziploc bag with the marinade. Marinate them overnight before grilling, baking, or searing. The difference is uncanny.
What binds seasoning to chicken? ›
Olive oil is great as a binder, particularly on vegetables, chips, chicken, and lamb. Mayonnaise – Mayo is an easy way to add a little extra moisture to the meat, and it will keep the integrity of your spice rub.
