This one-skillet Easy Blackened Chicken is just the ticket for those who like their chicken flavorful yet tender and juicy. This Cajun recipe is simple enough for the novice chef and is ready in about 20 minutes. I love to serve it with Bacon Asparagus Cajun Pasta and Cauliflower Au Gratin.
I have always believed that I can never have too many good chicken recipes. Chicken is easy on the budget, cooks up fast, and is so versatile. This dish takes less than 20 minutes and it gives you delectable juicy flavorful chicken breasts. Because of its ease and short cooking time, this is the perfect chicken recipe for busy families. Make it a super quick and simple meal and serve it with buttered angel hair pasta and a garden salad.
How do you make Blackened Chicken?
First, mix all your blackening spices together in a bowl or shake them up in a sandwich bag. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Then brush your chicken with a little vegetable oil or canola oil. Alternatively, you can spray it with cooking spray. Now sprinkle both sides of each chicken breast with the spices. Use your hands to evenly spread the seasonings over the chicken.
Now heat a little bit of canola oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet or cast-iron skillet over medium to medium-high heat until it is smoking. Cook until the chicken is golden brown (almost black) on both sides and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and cover with a loose aluminum foil tent and let rest for 10 minutes.
How do you make Blackened Seasoning?
It really is amazingly simple and odds are pretty good that you already have these spices in your pantry. Simply grab a small bowl or better yet a sealable sandwich bag and mix the spices together. These quantities are enough for this recipe but feel free to double, triple or quadruple this recipe for future use. Just store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
- 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (this is the hot one so you can tame it back if need be)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Recipe notes and helpful tips for blackened chicken
- Use a Ziploc sandwich bag to mix your spices. You can shake it to combine the spices and throw away the bag when you are done. Happiness equals no extra bowl and spoon to wash.
- These days chicken breasts are just huge so slice them in half lengthwise. They will still be a healthy portion and they cook more evenly.
- Let the chicken breasts come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the pan just until the oil begins to smoke. Add the chicken and sear in those juices and spices. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and browned.
- After cooking cover the chicken loosely with an aluminum foil tent and let rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Other chicken recipes to try!
Easy Blackened Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper this is the hot one, so you can tame it back if need be
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced in half lengthwise
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
Instructions
- Combine the smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, oregano, and salt in a Ziploc bag. Shake to combine.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Brush chicken breasts lightly on both sides with oil or spray with baking spray. Use your hands to spread the seasonings evenly over the chicken.
- Heat one tablespoon of canola oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until it is smoking. Cook chicken until it is golden brown (almost black) on both sides and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes on each side. Remove from skillet. Cover with a loose aluminum foil tent; let rest for 10 minutes.
Notes
- Use a Ziploc sandwich bag to mix your spices. You can shake it to combine the spices and throw away the bag when you are done. Happiness equals no extra bowl and spoon to wash.
- These days chicken breasts are just huge so slice them in half lengthwise. They will still be a healthy portion and they cook more evenly.
- Let the chicken breasts come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat the pan just until the oil begins to smoke. Add the chicken and sear in those juices and spices. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and browned.
- After cooking cover the chicken loosely with an aluminum foil tent and let rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Nutrition
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linda a
This was heavenly….EVERYBODY loved it !! I will be making this on a regular basis
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Linda!
Andy
I made this today for my family. Diced it up and added it to salad for three of us. For my 9 year old daughter, I sliced her filet, gave her mashed potatoes and garlic bread. She devoured everything. Everyone enjoyed this. The chili powder does give it a kick, I do see what you’re saying there. Thanks for the recipe. Added it to the collection! Andy
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Andy! So glad that you and your family liked the blackened chicken!
Nadine Charette
I haven’t tired this recipe but it sounds wonderful.
Can it be cooked in the airfryer with the same results?
Beth Pierce
I am sure it can be cooked in the air fryer with good results but I can not comment that they are the same results as I have not tried it yet.
subha
this recipe is so good but is there an oven bake option with this recipe? If so, what oven setting is best?
Beth Pierce
Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Dana
I’ve used this Cajun spice recipe on salmon, shrimp, and chicken. It’s a favorite that I’ve shared over and over. I make a triple batch so I always have it on hand!
Beth Pierce
That is awesome! We love it too!
Staci
The only negative i can say is that i had to scroll wayyyyy down to find where i could comment!😂 this is BY FAR THE BEST chicken for a variety of dishes! I made it first for salad and then it was so good we made it as a topper to some spinach Alfredo for my vegitarian kid and it was super amazing for that too! My go to recipe for some good chicken!!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Staci! So glad that you liked the chicken! I love it too!
Tony
Tried this tonight and it was great! I usually fry chicken, so this recipe will be a go-to for an attempted healthier lifestyle. Paired perfectly with the baked sweet potatoes and asparagus I made. Next time I’ll make extra for salads!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Tony! So glad that you like the chicken! That sounds like a delicious meal!
Emily
This is my go-to recipe for blackened chicken. I have made it several times and it’s soooooo good. I do double the rub ingredients though as I’m always heavy on the seasonings. My favorite way to use this recipe is this chicken on a salad with lightly charred corn, diced bell pepper, red onion, Caesar dressing, and Parmesan cheese. So good!
Beth Pierce
Oh my, Emily! Now you are making me hungry!
Natasha
This is the kind of chicken recipe I think my husband would really enjoy
Beth Pierce
I sure hope so!
Jupiter
This blackened chicken was really flavorful, we really enjoyed it. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Jennifer Prince
I love anything blackened and this was amazing! What a great, quick dinner recipe that is perfect with a little rice and steamed vegetables.
Stephanie
I’ve always loved bold flavors, so anything blackened works for me! I love how quickly this comes together with all that flavor.
Beth Pierce
So glad that you like the recipe, Stephanie!
Mel
Sounds like a delicious and easy recipe! I need to try it out.
Dorry
wow this looks yummy. I never tried cooking this.. thanks for sharing the recipe I booked mark it for future reference
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Dorry! Enjoy!
Neely
This is a really tasty chicken recipe. I could eat this every night!
Brianne
This is my favorite blackened chicken recipe with the just right amount of heat. Reminds of some good food from down south!