Looking to elevate your chicken dishes? Check out our guide to the best herbs to use with chicken recipes! Discover the top herbs that complement chicken’s natural flavors and how to use them to infuse your dishes with delicious aromas.
Herbs are an easy and delicious way to add flavor to any dish — especially juicy chicken recipes. Chicken is a staple in many households, and for good reason. It’s versatile, affordable, and easy to cook. However, it can also be quite bland if not prepared properly.
If you are looking for ways to make your chicken recipes mouth-watering and full of flavor? The use of herbs will take your chicken dishes to the next level, as they add complexity to the overall dish and can provide some amazing aromas.
Whether you’re looking for easy weeknight dinners or special occasion dinner party fare, there is an herb that will help enhance the flavor of your beloved chicken dish. From oregano to rosemary, here are some of the best flavorful herbs to use with chicken recipes —and why they make such delightful combinations!
What are the best herbs for chicken?
Rosemary
This woody herb has a strong, aromatic flavor that pairs well with chicken. Fresh rosemary can be used in a simple marinade or rubs for grilled or roast chicken. Rosemary pairs particularly well with garlic and lemon; try adding these ingredients together while roasting or grilling chicken for an added layer of flavor.
Thyme
The mild woodsy taste of fresh thyme adds subtle warmth and depth without overpowering other flavors in the dish. It’s a perfect herb for seasoning chicken breasts, chicken thighs, and drumsticks. Try combining thyme with olive oil, garlic, parsley, sage, oregano or bay leaves for a delicious marinade or sauce that’s perfect on roasted or grilled chicken breasts or wings.
Sage
Sage has a slightly bitter, peppery taste that works well with chicken. Known for its strong, savory flavor, sage is a popular herb for stuffing and a roasting whole chicken. It’s also a great addition to marinades and rubs for grilled chicken. Fresh sage leaves work great when cooked directly with the chicken while ground sage can be used as a seasoning before or after cooking.
Oregano
Oregano has a pungent, slightly bitter flavor that pairs well with chicken. It’s commonly used in Mediterranean and Mexican-style chicken dishes.
Basil
Basil has a slightly sweet taste that adds depth to chicken dishes. It’s often used in Italian-inspired chicken dishes and salads. Basil pairs nicely with fat, so it works well when cooking fatty cuts like thighs or wings. To really bring out basil’s flavor, try adding it at the end of cooking as opposed to the beginning — this will ensure that its taste isn’t lost in the cooking process. Basil also pairs nicely with garlic, tomatoes, and onions for an extra flavorful kick.
Parsley
Parsley has a fresh, slightly bitter taste that can help balance out the richness of chicken. Although parsley is often used as a garnish, it is a great herb that can also add flavor to chicken dishes.
Tarragon
Tarragon is a type of herb that has a slight licorice or anise flavor, making it ideal for use as a garnish on top of creamy dishes like casseroles or pasta salads. It can also be used as part of a rub when grilling or pan-frying boneless chicken breasts. If you want to add some brightness to your dish without overpowering it, tarragon is definitely worth trying out.
All of these aromatic herbs are great choices for chicken dishes because not only do they add flavor, they’re versatile and can be used in a variety of cooking methods, from grilling to roasting to sautéing.
See Also: Chicken Soup recipe | Chicken Recipes | Common Herbs to Use When Cooking | The Best Herbs for Italian Cooking | Herbs to Use with Soup Recipes | Fresh Herbs for Fish
Here are some tips on how to use your own herbs when cooking chicken:
- If you’re grilling your chicken, try using fresh herbs as a marinade. Crush your herbs to release their oils, then mix them with olive oil and lemon juice to create a flavorful marinade. You can also sprinkle fresh herbs over the chicken just before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
- When roasting chicken, herbs like rosemary and thyme work particularly well. Tuck sprigs of these herbs underneath the skin of the chicken, along with some garlic cloves and lemon slices, to infuse the meat with flavor as it cooks.
- When sautéing chicken, it’s a good idea to add herbs like basil and parsley near the end of the cooking process. This will help to retain their delicate flavor, and prevent them from burning or becoming bitter.
- After cooking, you can also sprinkle chopped fresh herbs on top of your chicken for added flavor and a pop of color.
How to Clean & Store Fresh Herbs
It is a good idea to rinse off your herbs in cold water before using them, regardless of whether you buy them at the grocery store or grow them in your own herb garden. This helps to remove any dirt or debris that may be present on the herbs.
Drying the herbs with paper towels can also be effective in removing excess moisture from the herbs, which can help to prevent them from spoiling too quickly. However, it is important to handle the herbs gently when drying them to avoid bruising or damaging them. You can use a salad spinner to dry your herbs, which can be a more efficient method.
After washing and drying your herbs, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to help preserve their freshness.
Overall, the key to using herbs in your cooking is to experiment and find the combinations of culinary herb blends that work best for your tastes. Don’t be afraid to try new herbs and seasoning blends to see what works best for your chicken dishes.
To showcase the flavor of herbs, start cooking your own delicious chicken dishes at home.
