Chicken works well with many varied spices.
Chicken is an incredibly versatile member of the poultry family and is able to absorb flavors from any cuisine. Whether you want a dish that's spicy, earthy, herbaceous, peppery or any combination thereof, baked chicken is a great vessel for the concentrated flavors of dried spices. Certain dried spices and herbs have a special affinity for chicken.
Mediterranean Spices
For a chicken dish that evokes the flavors of Italy or the south of France, rub chicken with a combination of Mediterranean herbs and spices before cooking. With its woody, floral, pine-like flavor, rosemary adds a pungent aromatic character to chicken. Thyme adds a fresh, fragrant quality that matches perfectly with lemon and pepper. Oregano's warm, pungent flavor adds depth and a little spice. A classic pairing with all types of poultry, sage has a powerful flavor and should be used sparingly, but matches beautifully with chicken.
Latin Spices
South American, Caribbean, and Mexican spices bring a fragrant heat to chicken. Cinnamon, highly fragrant and spicy, adds warmth and sweetness. It is especially fine when mixed with other spices, such as earthy cumin. Mexican oregano is more pungent than its European counterpart, which helps it stand up to other heavy Latin spices, such as chili powder.
Indian Spices
Curry powder or garam masala are an easy way to add Indian flavor to chicken, or you can create your own spice combination. Coriander seeds can be toasted and ground to create a sweet, pungent, slightly citrusy flavor, particularly suited to a mix with cumin. Cardomom adds a pungent aroma, while fenugreek adds a rich bitter flavor. Turmeric rubbed on chicken gives it a pleasing, bright yellow color.
North African Spices
Ras el hanout, a spice mix that hails from Morocco, is delicious on chicken. It can be daunting to make as certain recipes involve more than 20 spices, but it can also be bought commercially. White and black pepper add punch, cumin and coriander add an earthy base, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and clove add warmth and sweetness, and cayenne pepper brings heat. Individual recipes vary depending on taste and tradition.
East Asian Spices
Chinese five-spice powder is a wonderful mixture to rub on chicken. It mixes the warmth and spice of clove and cinnamon, the heat and bite of Szechuan peppercorn, and the mild aroma of fennel seed, with a licorice note of star anise. The combination of these spices creates a harmonious whole. If making your own spice mix, know that star anise can be an overwhelming flavor, so use sparingly.
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