This blackened chicken is tender, with a perfect balance of smoky charred flavor and juicy tenderness with an added kick of spices.
The chicken is then seared in a hot skillet to create a dark crust on the outside while keeping the meat juicy and tender on the inside.
This cooking method results in a smoky and spicy flavor profile that is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Blackened chicken is often served with sides like rice, vegetables, or salad for a delicious and satisfying meal option.
For more chicken recipes, check out my grilled chicken legs, Pomodoro chicken, cast iron chicken, chicken limone, and air fryer chicken tenders.
Jump to:
Why this recipe works
- Ease- this incredibly delicious chicken is very easy to make and is made with chicken breasts or chicken cutlets, and blackened chicken seasoning.
- Time- this whole chicken dish is made in under 30 minutes from start to finish and is great to make if you are short in time and need a quick meal.
- Flavor- this chicken is loaded with flavor from the blackened chicken seasoning that is made with spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Awesome for meal prep- this chicken dish is perfect for meal prep and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Serve it next to your favorite side dish and enjoy!
- Diet-friendly- this chicken recipe is perfect for different diets if you are dairy free, gluten free, keto, or paleo.
What is blackened chicken?
Blackened chicken is a cooking technique where seasoned chicken is cooked in a cast-iron skillet, creating a dark, flavorful crust on the outside of the meat.
The seasoning typically includes a mix of spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
The high heat used in blackening gives the chicken its signature charred appearance while sealing in the juices to keep the meat tender and moist.
This method originated in Cajun cuisine and has since become popular for adding depth of flavor to poultry dishes.
Ingredients
Before you start to make this recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
Chicken- use either chicken thighs or chicken breast for this recipe. we used chicken breast for this recipe, feel free to use whatever chicken part that you like most. We used boneless and skinless chicken breasts.
Olive oil- use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. If you don't want to use olive oil, you can use avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil!
Kosher salt– we used kosher salt in this recipe. You can use sea salt or flakey salt as well.
Black pepper- for flavor. Adjust the black pepper to your personal liking.
Dried herbs- you will need dried oregano, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika for this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite brands of dried herbs.
Instructions
Make the blackened chicken seasoning. In a small mixing bowl, add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and oregano, and mix it until well combined.
Start by patting dry chicken breasts with paper towels. You can slice each chicken breast in half to make them cook faster, I kept them whole.
Brush them with oil and season them generously on both sides with the blackened chicken seasoning.
In a large skillet, add the olive oil (or vegetable oil), and heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan and cook them on each side for 8-10 minutes.
The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165f (74c). Use a meat thermometer to know for sure but it's not a must. You can also cut the chicken to check its doneness.
Remove the chicken from the pan to allow it to chill for 5 minutes before slicing them.
Use a sharp knife to slice the chicken, and serve it with your favorite side dish and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Expert Tips
- Do not disturb the chicken! Let the chicken cook for at least 5 minutes without flipping it so it will have time to properly form a crust.
- Start with quality chicken: Use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts for the best results in your blackened chicken dish.
- Dry the chicken with paper towels before you rub it with the spices. This ensures you have perfect crispy skin on the outside and tender meat on the inside.
- Season generously. Coat the chicken with a a generous amount of the blackened seasoning for a lot of delicious flavor.
- Preheat your skillet. Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the seasoned chicken to ensure a nice sear and crust on the outside.
- Use butter or oil. Brush the skillet with butter or oil to prevent sticking and help create that perfect blackened crust.
- Use your favorite part of chicken. Like chicken thighs, chicken tenders, and chicken cutlets. Ensure that you clean the chicken and that there are no bones for easy eating.
- Start to cook on high heat. Blackened chicken is all about that charred exterior, so cook it over high heat for a short period to lock in juices while creating a crispy coating.
- Don't overcrowd the pan! Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to steaming instead of searing.
- Resist the urge to constantly flip the chicken. let it cook undisturbed until you achieve that beautiful blackened crust on one side before flipping.
- Rest before slicing. Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing into it - this helps retain its juices and ensures tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken is cooked on the inside and prevents your chicken from drying out. The chicken is ready when it reaches 165f (74c).
Faq's
Blackened chicken refers to a cooking technique where the meat is seasoned with a blend of spices and herbs, and then cooked at high heat until the outside forms a dark crust.
Blackened chicken can be a healthy choice as it is typically grilled with flavorful spices, providing a low-calorie, high-protein option.
"Blackened seasoning" gets its name from the cooking technique of heavily seasoning meat or fish with a blend of spices.
When cooked at high heat, the spices char and blacken the surface of the protein, giving it a distinct smoky flavor and dark appearance.
Blackened seasoning is a flavorful blend of herbs and spices that is commonly used in Cajun cuisine. It often includes ingredients like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and oregano.
Grilling involves cooking food on a grill over direct heat, often at high temperatures.
Blackening, is a cooking technique popular in Cajun cuisine where food is dredged in oil or butter, coated with a blend of herbs and spices, and then cooked in a very hot skillet.
The high heat results in a slightly charred, blackened exterior, giving the food a spicy, robust flavor.
Storing
If you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken in the microwave until it is warm. Don't overheat to not dry the chicken out.
Freezing
I do not recommend freezing this dish. It has the best texture and juiciness while being made fresh. It is okay to reheat it a day, or two later, but the freezer might ruin the texture of this chicken and will dry it out.
Make It Ahead Of Time
You can make this dish ahead by making the blackened seasoning in advance. Then when you are ready to make the entire dish, toss the chicken in the seasoning mixture and cook it according to the instructions.
Substitutions
Chicken- you can swap the boneless chicken breasts with skinless chicken thighs or swap them with chicken tenderloins or chicken cutlets.
Variations
Spicy- you can make this dish spicy by adding a pinch or two of cayenne pepper or adding chili flakes. Add it to your liking.
Butter- instead of using cooking oil like canola oil, olive oil, or vegetable oil, use the same amount of butter.
Honey glaze- top the chicken with a drizzle of honey. The honey will caramelize and add a delicious sweetness to the chicken.
Cheese- top this chicken with your favorite cheese like mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar, or pepper jack cheese on top of the blackened chicken and let it melt.
Cooking Methods
Grilling- Blackened chicken can be prepared on the grill by seasoning the chicken with a flavorful blackening spice mix and then grilling it over high heat until charred and cooked through.
Baking- Simply coat the chicken with blackening seasoning, place it on a baking sheet, and bake at a high temperature until cooked through and nicely blackened on the outside.
Serving Ideas
Side dishes- serve this chicken with air fryer garlic bread, butter garlic rolls, roasted vegetables, focaccia bread, or bruschetta with mozzarella.
Blackened Chicken Tacos- Create flavorful tacos by adding sliced blackened chicken to warm tortillas along with fresh salsa, and avocado sauce.
Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad- Upgrade a classic Caesar salad by topping crisp romaine lettuce with sliced blackened chicken, parmesan cheese, croutons, and a creamy caesar dressing.
Blackened Chicken Alfredo- Toss blackened chicken pieces with creamy Alfredo sauce and fettuccine pasta for a delicious and full meal that will keep you satisfied.
Equipment
- Nonstick pan set
- Garlic mincer
- Wooden spoon
- Cast iron skillet- a great skillet to use for blackening chicken
- Thermometer
More chicken recipes
Honey Butter Chicken- This honey butter chicken is crispy, sweet, juicy, and tender, and comes together in 30 minutes! My favorite part about this chicken is that is not deep fried, it is shallowed fried and uses less oil, and is less heavy.
Marry Me Chicken- This marry me chicken is the perfect chicken dinner that is herby, creamy, tender, juicy, and goes perfectly with pasta or rice! This chicken dish is so delish that if you make it for your partner, you may get a marriage proposal!
If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to leave a rating and a comment below. We love hearing from you.
If you liked this recipe
📖 Recipe
Easy Blackened Chicken (30 Minutes)
Ingredients
For the blackened chicken
- 2 pounds Chicken breast skinless, boneless
- 3 tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ tablespoon Smoked paprika
- ½ tablespoon Sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the blackened chicken seasoning. In a small mixing bowl, add the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and oregano, and mix it until well combined.
- Start by patting dry chicken breasts with paper towels. You can slice each chicken breast in half to make them cook faster, I kept them whole.
- Brush them with oil and season them generously on both sides with the blackened chicken seasoning.
- In a large skillet, add the olive oil (or vegetable oil), and heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan and cook them on each side for 8-10 minutes.
- The chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 165f (74c). Use a meat thermometer to know for sure but it's not a must. You can also cut the chicken to check its doneness.
- Remove the chicken from the pan to allow it to chill for 5 minutes before slicing them.
- Use a sharp knife to slice the chicken, and serve it with your favorite side dish and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Notes
- Do not disturb the chicken! Let the chicken cook for at least 5 minutes without flipping it so it will have time to properly form a crust.
- Start with quality chicken: Use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts for the best results in your blackened chicken dish.
- Dry the chicken with paper towels before you rub it with the spices. This ensures you have perfect crispy skin on the outside and tender meat on the inside.
- Season generously. Coat the chicken with a a generous amount of the blackened seasoning for a lot of delicious flavor.
- Preheat your skillet. Make sure your skillet is hot before adding the seasoned chicken to ensure a nice sear and crust on the outside.
- Use butter or oil. Brush the skillet with butter or oil to prevent sticking and help create that perfect blackened crust.
- Use your favorite part of chicken. Like chicken thighs, chicken tenders, and chicken cutlets. Ensure that you clean the chicken and that there are no bones for easy eating.
- Start to cook on high heat. Blackened chicken is all about that charred exterior, so cook it over high heat for a short period to lock in juices while creating a crispy coating.
- Don't overcrowd the pan! Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which can lead to steaming instead of searing.
- Resist the urge to constantly flip the chicken. let it cook undisturbed until you achieve that beautiful blackened crust on one side before flipping.
- Rest before slicing. Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing into it - this helps retain its juices and ensures tenderness.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken is cooked on the inside and prevent your chicken from drying out. The chicken is ready when it reaches 165f (74c).
Comments
No Comments