The Best Chicken Seasoning Recipe: Cajun Seasoning

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Learning how to season chicken doesn’t have to be a struggle. Many times you stress out about what to put on your chicken or other protein to make it flavorful. The first step in seasoning your chicken, protein, or vegetables is starting with the perfect seasoning blend. In my opinion, Cajun Seasoning is the best all-purpose seasoning, it adds so much flavor and depth to the dish. 

This Cajun seasoning mix is the perfect combination of fresh herbs and spices that makes an awesome all-purpose seasoning dry rub blend. I bet if you looked, you already have most of the ingredients in your pantry now. 

The Versatility of Cajun Seasonings: Beyond Chicken

Cajun seasoning not only works great on any cut of chicken like boneless chicken breasts but also on lots of other types of meat and vegetables as well. It also works well on catfish, turkey, hamburgers, steaks, french fries, roasted,  steamed,  or baked veggies, and the list goes on.

It makes a great seasoning blend on a whole chicken or whole turkey that will be smoked or deep-fried as well. It is a key ingredient in many Cajun dishes such as Gumbo and Jambalaya. The savory and spicy blend pairs well with so many types of foods to give them that extra flavor boost.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Seasoning Recipe

Anytime I can make homemade seasoning mix, I try to. Even if you buy the dried herbs separately, and then mix them, it is better than buying a store-bought mix. Store-bought mixes tend to have anti-caking agents and other not-so-good stuff like monosodium glutamate mixed in their blends.

The best part about homemade spice blends is when you buy dried herbs and mix them yourself, it is not only cheaper, but it is better for you as well. If this is your first time making a seasoning mix, don’t fret, it is easy to do. 

What You Will Need to Make This Recipe

Paprika

This spice is made from dried, then ground red peppers. The peppers used in paprika are often milder and sweeter than those of Ground Cayenne but are essentially the same peppers.  The texture is also often finer than ground Caynee as well. Paprika is found in a few different forms: Hot Paprika, Sweet Paprika,  Smoked Paprika, and Hungarian Paprika.  

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder comes from the dried cloves of the Garlic plant. Garlic is a powerful spice that adds to the savory notes of this spice blend. Garlic is also known to have many beneficial health benefits.

This is a great spice that can be grown at home in containers. To make garlic powder, the vegetable must be sliced, dried (dehydrated), and ground up to a fine powder. In our recipe though, we are going to be using store-bought Garlic powder. 

Dried Oregano

Oregano is a herb that is very easy to grow. If you have an AeroGarden, you can pretty much keep many of these herbs growing year-round right on your kitchen counter. Oregano is a savory spice that is known in many Italian dishes. It is the key herb that is in Italian seasoning and It is the main ingredient in spaghetti sauce. 

Dried Thyme

Dried thyme is a robust savory spice that has an almost minty flavor. It will give this spice blend a slightly sweet and pepper profile. Thyme is a common spice used in many meat marinades. Thyme also has many health benefits. 

Onion Powder

Onion powder is made similarly to garlic powder. It is sliced or cut up into smaller pieces, dried (dehydrated),  then ground into a powder. It is a common ingredient in many spice blends as is garlic powder.  

Kosher or Sea Salt

Salt is the star of just about every dish you make. Without salt, the dish is flat. We recommend using Kosher salt or Sea Salt. Regular table salt, also known as iodized salt, can be too salty and sometimes can affect the taste.

Salt is one of those things that is very subjective with people. Some like more or a little less. We will give you guidelines and you can adjust as you see fit. It is really about personal preference for salt.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is where this dish gets its heat from. Cayenne, which is similar to Paprika, uses the cayenne pepper, which is dried, and then ground. The amount in this recipe should make a medium-heat spice blend.

If you want medium-high heat, add in a little more. If you want a mild heat, add a little less.  This can be adjusted to suit your and your family’s taste. 

Black Pepper

Like salt, Black pepper is one of the most common seasonings you will find in most dishes. Pepper carries some heat to it so if you don’t like a real spicy blend, you can back off of the cayenne and black pepper to suit your needs.

Using fresh black pepper is best. If you have a grinder and peppercorns, this adds so much more flavor than just using already-ground pepper. This seasoning is almost always bought from the grocery store. 

Note: If you want to add a little sweetness to this blend, a nice alternative is to add in a small amount of brown sugar. This pairs well with a pork rub. 

Equipment Needed

Small Bowl

You will need a small bowl to mix the ingredients in.

Airtight Container

If you plan on not using all of this mix, you will need an airtight container to store it in. A Mason Jar works great for storing spices and seasoning blends. You can keep this seasoning blend stored at room temperature for up to 3 years. 

How To Make It

Here are the simple steps and ingredients that you will need to make this chicken seasoning:

Step 1: Measure out all of the ingredients into your small bowl. 

Step 2: Mix the ingredients until they are all incorporated. The spice mixture should have a red tint to it once they are thoroughly mixed. 

Step 3: Now the seasoning is ready to be used. Use what you will need then place the remaining seasoning in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 3 years. I like to use mason jars for this purpose.

FAQ’s

How Much Chicken Seasoning Should I Use?

The amount you use is simply up to you. I prefer to use it very liberally and coat the meat or food that I am putting it on. 

What’s The Difference Between Cajun and Blackened Seasoning?

They are both very similar. They use essentially the same spices, with Cajun being on the hotter or spicier side. This is adjusted by adding more or less Cayenne pepper.

There is also a difference in the technique used to marinade the protein. Where you might sprinkle cajun seasoning since it is hotter, Blackened seasoning is usually coated on the protein. This is what gives the protein its dark color which makes it appear to be burnt, but it is not.

How Long Can I Store This Seasoning For?

You can store this seasoning for up to 3 years in an airtight container. The seasoning isn’t going to hurt you if you use it and you have had it longer than that. It simply loses its flavor the older it gets. 

Should I Dry the Chicken or Food Before Putting the Seasoning On It?

Yes, make sure to get the chicken dry first. Dry the surface of the chicken with paper towels, then put olive oil, butter, or any neutral oil on the chicken.

How Can I Use this Cajun Seasoning Blend On French Fries?

Once you have cooked your french fries, place them in a bowl. Sprinkle in the seasoning blend and toss the fries in the bowl a few times. The oil from the frying process will allow the seasoning blend to stick to the fries. 

How Long Should I Marinate My Chicken?

Once you coat your chicken, place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour up to 6 hours for best results. This allows the blend to time to absorb into the meat or food. If you are pressed for time, you can use it right away but this will not give you the best results. 

What Is Cajun Seasoning Made From?

This seasoning is made from Paprika, Cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper. 

What Can I Use Cajun Seasoning on?

There are many different ways you can use this seasoning blend. Cajun seasoning is a very versatile but simple seasoning that goes great with most proteins such as Chicken, Steak, Hamburgers, Shrimp, Pork, and Fish. It also goes great on vegetables as well.

Some of my favorite vegetables are french fries, potatoes that are roasted in the oven, or fresh steamed veggies such as broccoli and cauliflower. Try it on corn on the cob that has been coated in butter then Cajun seasoning.  Cajun seasoning is also the key ingredient in many Cajun foods such as gumbos and Jambalayas. The possibilities are endless. 

Is Cajun Seasoning The Same As Taco Seasoning?

No. Taco Seasoning is quite a bit different from Cajun Seasoning. Taco Seasoning has a few other ingredients like ground cumin and Chili Powder. 

Can I Use This Cajun Seasoning as a Pork Rub?

Yes, you can use it as a Pork Rub. You can also add a little brown sugar to the mix. Sweet and spicy is an awesome seasoning rub for Pork.

Thanks for stopping by Southern Food Junkie. It is our hope that you enjoy this recipe sharing it with friends, family, and coworkers. Make sure to take time to give thanks to the creator, God, by which all blessings flow.
John 6:35​

– Ronnie | Let’s Get Food Junked!

Also, check out one of these recipes:

Marinade for Smoked Beef Jerky
Chicken Bog | A Traditional South Carolina Dish
Southern Food Junkie Chili
Brunswick Stew
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