Essential Oils, Oleoresins, Extracts & Seasoning Powders for Chicken & Broth
This list focuses on concentrated commercial flavorings used in food manufacturing, commercial kitchens, and by serious home cooks.
I. ESSENTIAL OILS
Volatile oils extracted through steam distillation
Herbal Oils
- Rosemary Oil - piney, camphoraceous (use sparingly)
- Thyme Oil (thymol-rich) - potent, medicinal, antimicrobial
- Oregano Oil - intensely spicy, phenolic
- Sage Oil - earthy, camphoraceous
- Marjoram Oil - sweeter, milder than oregano
- Basil Oil - sweet, anise-like
- Tarragon Oil - licorice/anise notes
- Dill Oil - grassy, pickle-like
- Parsley Oil - fresh, green, slightly bitter
Citrus Oils (great for bright notes)
- Lemon Oil (cold-pressed)
- Lime Oil (cold-pressed)
- Orange Oil (sweet/bitter)
- Grapefruit Oil
- Bergamot Oil (Earl Grey note)
Spice & Seed Oils
- Black Pepper Oil - sharp, pungent heat
- Ginger Oil - warm, spicy-sweet
- Nutmeg Oil - warm, sweet, slightly woody
- Cinnamon Leaf/Bark Oil (different profiles) - bark is sweeter
- Clove Bud Oil - intensely sweet-spicy (use extremely sparingly)
- Coriander Seed Oil - warm, spicy, slightly citrusy
- Cumin Oil - strong, earthy, characteristic curry note
- Fennel Oil - sweet, licorice-like
- Celery Seed Oil - intense celery flavor
- Cardamom Oil - intensely aromatic, eucalyptus-citrus
Allium Oils (often synthetic or infused due to stability)
- Garlic Oil (usually infused, not true EO)
- Onion Oil (usually infused)
II. OLEORESINS
Solvent-extracted resins containing both volatile and non-volatile components - more complete flavor than EOs
Core Poultry Oleoresins
- Oleoresin Black Pepper - full peppery bite
- Oleoresin Paprika - color + sweet pepper flavor
- Oleoresin Celery - intense savory base note
- Oleoresin Ginger - warm, spicy, less sharp than oil
- Oleoresin Turmeric - earthy, slightly bitter, plus color
- Oleoresin Cumin - deep earthy warmth
- Oleoresin Coriander - citrus-spice notes
- Oleoresin Chili/Capsicum - heat without texture
- Oleoresin Bay Leaf - herbal, slightly floral
- Oleoresin Rosemary - more rounded than the oil
- Oleoresin Thyme - savory, slightly medicinal
- Oleoresin Sage - earthy, slightly bitter
- Oleoresin Onion - sweet, savory, less pungent than fresh
- Oleoresin Garlic - strong, persistent garlic flavor
Specialty Oleoresins
- Oleoresin Mace (similar to nutmeg but more refined)
- Oleoresin Allspice - clove-cinnamon-nutmeg combination
- Oleoresin Cardamom - complex sweet-spicy
- Oleoresin Nutmeg - warm, sweet spice
III. EXTRACTS & TINCTURES
Alcohol, glycerin, or water-based extractions
Alcohol-Based Extracts
- Vanilla Extract (for subtle background in some sauces)
- Mushroom Extract (porcini, shiitake) - umami bomb for broth
- Truffle Extract - intense earthy flavor
- Soy Sauce Extract/Powder - concentrated umami
- Worcestershire Sauce Extract - complex fermented savory
- Mirin Extract - sweet rice wine flavor
- Vinegar Extracts (balsamic, malt, etc.) - acidity without liquid
Other Extraction Methods
- Yeast Extracts (Marmite, Vegemite-style) - extreme umami
- Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) - savory, meaty notes
- Miso Paste/Powder - fermented savory depth
- Tomato Powder - concentrated tomato umami and sweetness
- Molasses Powder - sweet, bitter, mineral notes
IV. SEASONING POWDERS
Dehydrated and powdered forms
Umami & Broth Enhancers
- Powdered Chicken Broth/Bouillon (obvious but essential)
- Powdered Beef Broth (for darker, richer chicken stock)
- Powdered Mushroom (porcini, shiitake, morel)
- Bonito Powder (katsuobushi) - smoky, fishy umami
- Kombu Powder - sea-vegetable umami
- Anchovy Powder - salty, funky depth
- Fish Sauce Powder - fermented umami without liquid
- Powdered Soy Sauce or Tamari
- Nutritional Yeast - cheesy, nutty umami
- Powdered Cheese (Parmesan, Romano) - for creamy sauces
- Powdered Butter or Butter Buds - richness without fat separation
- Powdered Bacon - smoky, meaty
- Smoked Salt/Smoke Powder (hickory, applewood, etc.)
Dehydrated Vegetable Powders
- Garlic Powder (not granulated)
- Onion Powder
- Shallot Powder
- Celery Powder
- Tomato Powder
- Carrot Powder
- Bell Pepper Powder
- Chili Powder (blend or single type)
- Scallion/Chive Powder
Spice & Herb Powders
- Ground White Pepper (for light-colored broths)
- Ground Ginger
- Ground Mustard
- Ground Coriander
- Ground Cumin
- Ground Allspice
- Ground Clove
- Ground Mace
- Ground Fenugreek (curry-like, maple note)
- Saffron Powder (or threads ground)
- Sumac Powder - tart, lemony
- Dried Lemon/Lime Powder (not citric acid)
- Powdered Vinegars (malt, apple cider, etc.)
- Wasabi Powder - pungent heat
Specialty & Regional Powder Blends
- Powdered Curry Blends (Madras, Tikka, etc.)
- Tandoori Masala Powder
- Garam Masala Powder
- Ras el Hanout Powder
- Za'atar Powder
- Five-Spice Powder
- Jerk Seasoning Powder
- Adobo Seasoning Powder
- Powdered BBQ Rubs
- Pho Spice Powder (star anise, cinnamon, clove, etc.)
- Powdered Demi-Glace
- Powdered Mole Base
V. APPLICATION GUIDELINES
For Chicken Meat (Marinades, Brines, Rubs)
- Fat-soluble carriers: Dilute EOs/oleoresins in oil before applying.
- Water-soluble carriers: Use extracts or solubilized versions for brines.
- Dry application: Mix oleoresins with salt/sugar or use powder forms in rubs.
- Typical usage rate: 0.01%-0.1% for EOs, 0.1%-0.5% for oleoresins (by weight of meat).
For Chicken Broth/Stock
- Add at finishing stage: Most EOs/oleoresins are volatile; add late.
- Bloom in fat: Sauté powders in oil/roasted chicken fat before adding to broth.
- Create a seasoning slurry: Mix powders with small amount of warm broth before incorporating.
- Layering: Use powders for base notes (mushroom, onion), EOs for top notes (citrus, herbs).
Critical Safety & Usage Notes
- NEVER use therapeutic-grade EOs intended for aromatherapy.
- Only use food-grade, FDA-approved flavorings.
- Extreme potency: 1 drop of EO ≈ 20-50 grams of fresh herb.
- Solubility matters: EOs don't mix with water; use solubilizers or alcohol.
- Heat sensitivity: Citrus/floral notes degrade with prolonged heat.
- Start with micro amounts and scale up - these are highly concentrated.
Recommended Starter Kit for Home Use
- Oleoresin Black Pepper (versatile heat)
- Oleoresin Paprika (color + flavor)
- Garlic Powder (stable, reliable)
- Porcini Mushroom Powder (umami bomb)
- Lemon Oil (food-grade, for brightness)
- Rosemary Oleoresin (classic poultry herb)
- Powdered Soy Sauce (umami without sodium overwhelm)
Note: For most home cooks, high-quality dried herbs/spices and fresh ingredients work perfectly. These concentrated forms are primarily valuable for:
- Commercial production consistency
- Shelf-stable formulations
- Creating custom blends without moisture
- Intensifying specific flavor notes without adding bulk