Cooked chicken breast can often turn out dry and flavorless, especially if it’s overcooked. Eating plain cooked chicken every day can get boring fast. Luckily, there are lots of quick and easy ways to add big, bold flavors to bland chicken breasts, liven up leftover chicken, or spice up a chicken dinner. With the right combination of sauces, seasonings, toppings and cooking techniques, you can take simple chicken from dull to delicious. Keep reading to discover 20+ ways to make your chicken irresistibly juicy, tender and full of flavor.
What causes chicken to be bland and dry?
There are a few common reasons why chicken can turn out bland and dry:
- Overcooking – Chicken cooked too long will dry out. The proteins tighten and squeeze moisture out.
- Not brining – Chicken that hasn’t been brined or marinated often lacks flavor and juiciness.
- Using the wrong cut – Chicken breasts are leaner than thighs. Less fat means less flavor and moisture.
- Cooking too hot and fast – High heat causes proteins to tighten and wring out all the moisture.
- Lack of seasoning – Chicken needs seasoning to boost flavor. Salt enhances natural flavors.
The good news is that with the right techniques, even the blandest chicken breast can be transformed. Let’s look at some foolproof ways to add juiciness and excitement to mild chicken.
Marinate chicken before cooking
A flavorful marinade is one of the easiest ways to infuse bland chicken with lots of flavor. Certain ingredients in marinades help tenderize and moisten the meat so it turns out juicy and delicious.
Buttermilk
Soaking chicken in buttermilk is a handy trick to ensure tender, juicy meat. The lactic acid helps break down tough proteins. It also adds a nice tangy flavor.
Yogurt
Like buttermilk, yogurt contains lactic acid to gently tenderize the chicken. Yogurt also boosts juiciness and imparts a lovely tang.
Oil and acid
An oil and acid combination gives you the best marinade to add flavor and lock in moisture. Acids like lemon juice, vinegar, or wine help break down tough muscle fibers. Oil seals in all those great juices.
Fresh herbs
Chopped herbs like basil, thyme, rosemary infuse chicken with aromatic flavor. Especially effective in oil-based marinades.
Spices and aromatics
Spices, garlic, ginger, chiles, etc add tons of flavor and aroma to chicken. Limit to 1-2 teaspoons of any dried spice per pound of meat.
Brine chicken for super juicy meat
Brining (soaking chicken in a saline solution) seasons the meat and makes it incredibly moist and tender. Dissolve 1/4 – 1/2 cup salt in 4 cups water to make a quick brine. Soak chicken 30 mins – 1 hour before cooking. The salt allows the muscle fibers to retain more moisture.
Use cooking methods that lock in juiciness
How you cook the chicken also affects moisture and flavor. Try these tasty techniques:
Butterflying
Cutting a whole chicken breast horizontally into two halves exposes more surface area for crisping skin and caramelizing juices.
Pounding
Gently pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness helps them cook faster and more evenly. No overcooked dry spots.
Pan searing
Browning the chicken in a bit of oil before oven roasting adds tons of rich, appetizing flavor from the browned bits stuck to the pan.
Grilling
Quick grilling gives you juicy meat with a smoky, charred exterior full of grill flavor. If skin is on, keep it moist.
Poaching
Simmering chicken gently in liquid keeps ittender and moist. Great for making shredded chicken.
Flavor boosting sauces and toppings
Saucing or topping cooked chicken breast is the easiest way to ratchet up flavor. From classic to creative, there are endless savory sauces that complement chicken wonderfully.
Classic sauces
- Gravy
- Mushroom sauce
- Wine sauce
- Horseradish cream
- Chimichurri
- Teriyaki
- Tomato salsa
Quick pan sauces
Deglaze the pan you cooked the chicken in with some liquid to make an easy sauce:
- White wine or chicken broth
- Lemon juice
- Balsamic vinegar
Then whisk in butter, cream, mustard, herbs, etc. for flavor.
Fun toppings
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Grilled veggies like zucchini or peppers
- Caramelized onions
- Roasted garlic
- Crispy bacon pieces
- Sautéed greens like spinach or kale
- Toasted nuts or seeds
- Crumbled feta or blue cheese
- Pesto
- Tapenade
- Sundried tomatoes
Use flavorful rubs and spice blends
Coating chicken with bold spice and herb blends adds incredible flavor with little effort. Here are some tasty combinations:
Jerk seasoning
Jamaican jerk spices give chicken the ultimate flavor kick. Blend allspice, thyme, chili peppers, garlic, brown sugar, lime juice and salt.
Moroccan spice rub
Warm Moroccan flavors come from cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne and paprika. Add olive oil and garlic.
Tandoori masala
Tandoori chicken gets its iconic red hue and aromatic zing from spices like coriander, cumin, ginger, garlic, paprika and chili powder.
Italian herbs
An Italian herb blend of oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme and garlic adds richness. Include lemon zest and crushed red pepper for more zing.
Barbecue rub
Smoky, sweet and savory barbecue rub with chili powder, brown sugar, garlic, mustard, cumin and paprika packs a flavor punch.
Cajun seasoning
Heat up chicken with a Cajun mix of cayenne, black pepper, onion, oregano, thyme and bell peppers.
Use flavor boosting ingredients
Mixing certain ingredients into ground chicken or directly under the skin infuses each bite with even more savory chicken deliciousness.
Compound butter
Compound butters containing garlic, herbs and citrus boost juiciness and flavor when placed under chicken skin before roasting.
Pesto
Nutty basil pesto mixed into ground chicken or stuffed under the skin adds a delicious creaminess and richness.
Tapenade
Chopped olive tapenade adds a briny kick and aroma of garlic and herbs to chicken.
Cream cheese
Softened cream cheese makes chicken extra moist and tender. Also adds a nice tang.
Sundried tomatoes
Chopped sundried tomatoes lend a sweet, intensely tomatoey flavor to chicken.
Feta cheese
Tangy, salty feta cheese crumbles mixed into raw chicken or sprinkled on top keeps each bite interesting.
Cook chicken in flavorful liquids
Cooking chicken in or basting with flavor-packed liquids infuses it with taste.
Chicken broth or stock
For the ultimate savory flavor, simmer or braise chicken in real homemade chicken broth or stock.
Coconut milk
Cooking chicken in a coconut milk sauce makes it extra moist with a hint of sweetness.
Wine or beer
Deglazing the pan with wine or beer adds alcohol flavors and depth. Also makes an easy pan sauce base.
Fruit juices
Apple, orange, mango, pineapple juice lend fruity flavors and tenderizing enzymes when cooking or basting chicken.
Coffee, cola, ginger ale
For fun new flavors, try braising chicken in coffee, cola or ginger ale. Adds sweet complexity.
Let chicken marinate in flavorful liquids
Before cooking, you can marinate chicken in tasty wet marinades or buttermilk to infuse flavor:
| Marinade | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Tandoori | Yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, spices |
| Soy ginger | Soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger |
| Jamaican jerk | Allspice, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers, lime juice |
| Fajita | Lime juice, chili powder, cumin, cilantro, garlic |
| Satay | Peanut butter, soy sauce, lime, red curry paste, brown sugar |
| Mediterranean | Olive oil, lemon, garlic, oregano, pepper |
| Cajun | Buttermilk, hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, garlic |
Infuse flavor with spices and herbs
Spices, herbs and aromatics add tons of flavor to chicken with zero effort. Try:
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Curry powder
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Sage
- Ginger
- Cayenne pepper
Use about 1 teaspoon of dried spices per pound of chicken. Rub or sprinkle them onto raw chicken. The flavor will intensify as the chicken cooks.
Make a fast compound butter
Compound butters are a magical way to add flavor and moisture to chicken. Here’s an easy recipe:
- Soften 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- Mix in any chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, sage
- Add 1 minced garlic clove and lemon zest
- Season with salt and pepper
- Form into a log and chill until firm.
Slice off rounds to place under chicken skin before roasting or melting on top of cooked chicken.
Try creative flavor combinations
Don’t limit yourself to boring seasoning. Get creative with these fun flavor combos on chicken:
- Balsamic + fig + prosciutto + goat cheese
- Pesto + mozzarella + sun dried tomato
- Orange + honey + chili
- Mango + jalapeño + cilantro
- Cranberry + brie + pecan
- Lemon + garlic + oregano + feta
- Apple + bacon + cheddar
- Maple + bourbon + brown sugar + bacon
The possibilities are endless when you think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to experiment with sweet, spicy and savory flavors.
Conclusion
Bland chicken breasts don’t have to be a boring staple. With the simple tricks in this guide, you can easily pump up the flavor, juiciness and enjoyment of chicken. Marinating, brining, sauces, rubs, spices, herbs, compound butters and creative combinations can all turn dull chicken into a mouthwatering meal. Take your boring grilled or roasted chicken from flat to fab with these handy tips.