Tangy Seasonings

• Tangy seasonings are great for kicking up mild-flavored meats like chicken. Rub the meat with lemon pepper to give it a hint of tang. Marinate the chicken in Italian vinaigrette to create a zestier dish. Create your own glaze by combining soy sauce, seasoned rice vinegar and ginger powder, then drizzling it over the chicken. Alternatively, brush the meat with a spicy brown mustard, honey and white wine mixture to give it a sophisticated flair.

Sweet Seasonings

• There are several seasonings that help bring out the natural sweetness of chicken. Creamy dressings like ranch are versatile, as you can pour them over the chicken prior to baking, or serve them as a dipping sauce for wings and thighs. You can also enhance the flavors of pre-made sauces already in your refrigerator. Brush the chicken with a teriyaki sauce, honey and seasoned rice vinegar mix, or try marinating the meat for a few hours in pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup and ginger powder for something a little more complex.

Spicy Seasonings

• Adding pepper is an easy way to give classic flavors an unexpected twist, or experiment with your own flavor blend. Sprinkle the chicken with ground ginger, ground turmeric and curry powder for some Indian flavor. Marinate chicken in unsweetened applesauce, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger for a low-fat, spicy dish. For something more savory, marinate the meat in chicken broth, lime juice, diced onion, red pepper sauce, cayenne pepper, white pepper, garlic pepper and salt. To spice up a finished dish, cover baked chicken with diced jalapenos, salsa and sour cream, then serve with tortillas, beans and rice.

Smoky Seasonings

• You don’t have to smoke chicken to give it a smoky flavor. Try dusting the raw meat with smoked paprika. Alternatively, sprinkle the meat with smoked chipotle powder, ground cumin, smoked salt and ground black pepper. Give your oven-baked chicken a barbecue feel by brushing the baked bird with tomato sauce and liquid smoke for a hot-off-the-coals flavor with a tangy twist. To give the meat a complex, woodsy flavor, cover the cooked chicken with hickory barbecue sauce -- or create your own sauce by mixing tomato sauce, diced onions, hickory liquid smoke, chili powder, chipotle powder, garlic salt and black pepper.