The Only Way I Season Chicken Now
Oil it. Season it. Cook it low and slow. One blend does all the work.
I'm going to save you years of overthinking dinner.
Here's the method. Oil your chicken lightly with olive oil. Pick a Sunset Gourmet blend. Coat it generously. Cook it low and slow — BBQ, air fryer, or oven. As it cooks, sprinkle on more. That's it.
No marinading for hours. No complicated spice combinations. No recipe required.
One blend. One protein. Dinner done.
Make a big batch while you're at it — because leftover seasoned chicken is the gift that keeps giving all week long.
Why this method works for real life
Most women don't struggle with cooking chicken. They struggle with making chicken taste different enough that their family doesn't revolt by Wednesday.
Same protein. Different blend. Completely different meal — every single night.
Monday's Smoky Pecan Rub chicken becomes Tuesday's sandwich filling. Wednesday's Mango Chili Lime chicken goes into wraps. Thursday's leftovers get chopped over a salad. One cook session. Four meals. Zero boredom.
For women in perimenopause and beyond, chicken thighs and breasts deliver lean protein that supports muscle retention, hormone balance, and steady energy. When you make a big batch and use the leftovers creatively you're not just saving time — you're protecting your body all week long.
Real Talk — the big batch method
Here's what I actually do.
Sunday or Monday I cook a big batch of chicken — usually 2–3 pounds. Sometimes on the BBQ. Sometimes in the air fryer. I pick one or two blends, season generously, and cook it low and slow.
Then I portion the leftovers into containers and the week handles itself:
🥪 Sandwiches — sliced on sourdough with lettuce, tomato, and a smear of aioli
🥗 Salads — chopped over mixed greens with whatever's in the fridge
🌯 Wraps — rolled up with slaw, avocado, and a drizzle of dressing
🍚 Bowls — over rice or quinoa with roasted vegetables
🥚 Breakfast — chopped into egg bites or scrambled eggs
One cook. Five days of meals. No thinking required.
Breasts or thighs both work beautifully. Skin on is incredible — it crisps up as it cooks and holds the seasoning like nothing else. 💚
The method — step by step
Works with any cut, any blend, any cooking method
Oil lightly — Drizzle chicken with olive oil and rub it in. This is what makes the seasoning stick.
Season generously — Coat all sides with your chosen Sunset Gourmet blend. Don't be shy — the flavour develops as it cooks.
Cook low and slow — BBQ on medium-low, air fryer at 375°F, or oven at 375°F. Low and slow keeps the chicken juicy and lets the seasoning caramelize without burning.
Sprinkle more as it cooks — This is the secret. Halfway through cooking, sprinkle on another layer of seasoning. It builds depth and creates a flavour crust that's unreal.
Rest before slicing — Let the chicken rest 5–10 minutes after cooking. The juices redistribute and every slice is moist.
Pick your blend — pick your flavour
Each blend creates a completely different chicken. Same method. Totally different meal.
🌶️ Mango Chili Lime Seasoning ← Sunset Gourmet
Sweet tropical heat with a citrus kick
The perfect fusion of flavours. Season chicken, seafood, beef, or pork. Excellent on wings and ribs. Try sprinkling on fruit, salads, and veggies. Flavour your taco meat, chili, and even salmon for effortless flavour that'll have the whole family asking for seconds.
Best for: Wraps, tacos, rice bowls, summer grilling
Vibe: Bright, bold, tropical heat
🥜 Smoky Pecan Rub & Seasoning ← Sunset Gourmet
Sweet, smoky, backyard BBQ in a jar
Infused with the rich flavours and enticing aromas of backyard barbecues. This sweet and smoky seasoning is perfect for chicken, pork, beef, and vegetables. Excellent on fish and seafood.
Best for: Low and slow BBQ, pulled chicken sandwiches, weekend grilling
Vibe: Smoky, warm, comfort food
🍁 Hickory & Maple Garlic Seasoning ← Sunset Gourmet
Smoky hickory meets sweet maple and bold garlic
A savoury blend of smoky hickory flavour, sweet maple, and bold garlic that brings rich taste to a variety of dishes. Delicious on pork, chicken, steak, or seafood. Just as good sprinkled over roasted vegetables, potatoes, popcorn, or grilled favourites.
Best for: Skewers, sheet pan dinners, roasted vegetables, Canadian-inspired flavour
Vibe: Savoury, maple-sweet, deeply satisfying
🍗 The Ultimate Chicken Seasoning Blend ← Sunset Gourmet
The one that was literally made for this
Bold, mouthwatering flavour with one shake. Just rub it in and your chicken will never taste the same. Great on pork and fish too. This is the blend that earns its name — ultimate.
Best for: Everyday chicken, rotisserie-style flavour at home, the "I don't know what to season it with" answer
Vibe: Classic, bold, the one you reach for when you want chicken to taste like chicken should
Featured Recipe: Grilled Hickory Maple Garlic Chicken Skewers
The recipe that makes people put down their phones at the dinner table.
What you need
Serves 4 · Prep: 10 min + 1–2 hrs marinating · Grill: 15–18 min
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp Hickory & Maple Garlic Seasoning ← Sunset Gourmet
Wooden or metal skewers (soak wooden skewers 30 minutes before grilling)
Make it
Season — Place cubed chicken in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Hickory & Maple Garlic Seasoning. Massage the seasoning into the chicken with your hands.
Marinate — Cover and refrigerate 1–2 hours. The longer it sits the deeper the flavour goes.
Skewer — Thread chicken pieces onto skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
Grill — Preheat BBQ to medium heat. Grill skewers 15–18 minutes, turning frequently until cooked through and lightly charred.
Sauce it — Brush with your favourite Sunset Grilling Sauce in the last 5 minutes if desired.
💡 Pro tip: Cut your chicken pieces the same size so they cook evenly. Uneven pieces mean some are overcooked while others are still pink.
Kitchen Wisdom 💡
Oil first. Always. The olive oil is what makes the seasoning stick to the chicken. Without it the blend falls off in the pan. A light coating is all you need — don't drown it.
Low and slow beats hot and fast. High heat burns the seasoning before the chicken is cooked through. Medium-low heat lets the blend caramelize slowly into a flavour crust. Patience makes better chicken.
Layer your seasoning. Season before cooking AND halfway through. That second layer creates depth — the first layer melds into the meat, the second layer creates the crust. Two layers. Double the flavour.
Skin on is incredible. If you can, leave the skin on. It crisps up, holds the seasoning, and keeps the meat juicy underneath. Don't be afraid of the skin — the flavour is worth it.
Make more than you need. Whatever you're cooking — double it. Leftover seasoned chicken is the foundation of every easy lunch and dinner for the rest of the week. Sandwiches, salads, wraps, bowls — one cook feeds you for days.
Let it rest. Five to ten minutes off the heat before you slice. The juices redistribute and every piece stays moist. Cut too early and all that flavour runs out onto the cutting board instead of staying in the meat.
FAQ
Which blend is best for beginners?
Start with The Ultimate Chicken Seasoning Blend — it was literally made for chicken. You can't go wrong. Once you're comfortable, try the Smoky Pecan Rub or Mango Chili Lime for something different.
Can I use this method with thighs?
Absolutely — thighs are actually more forgiving than breasts. They stay juicier and hold seasoning beautifully. Skin-on thighs with a Sunset blend on the BBQ is next level.
How long do leftovers keep?
Cooked seasoned chicken keeps in the fridge 3–4 days. Slice or chop it before storing so it's grab-and-go ready all week.
Can I use these blends on other proteins?
Every single one works on pork, fish, and seafood too. The Mango Chili Lime is incredible on salmon. The Smoky Pecan Rub on pork chops is life-changing.
Where do I get these blends?
Right here → Grab My Blends. Start with one. You'll end up with all four. That's not a prediction — it's a promise. 😄
Want the full digital recipe card for the skewers?
→ One Season Chicken Blends - Digital Recipe Card
Food is just one piece of the puzzle.
You've been doing everything right and still feel off — low energy, brain fog, poor sleep, increased pain, chronic fatigue, or just that nagging feeling that something isn't quite right. Friend, you're not alone. And your body may be trying to tell you something important.
In just 15 minutes, my DeCode Your Body Questionnaire gives you real insight into potential imbalances across four body systems — so you can stop guessing and start understanding what your body actually needs.
👉 Take the DeCode Your Body Assessment →
Or DM me the word DECODE on Instagram and we'll figure it out together.
🛒 Grab the Sunset Gourmet Chicken Blends → Shop My Blends
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Happy cooking! 💚
Remember — I'm here to NourishHER, and that's you, my friend.
Let's take care of you together.
— Denise
