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If you’re looking for a bold, flavorful dish that’s easy to make and packed with smoky, spicy goodness, this Blackened Chicken recipe is your new go-to. Get dinner on the table in under 15 minutes from start to finish for a restaurant-quality dish that everyone will love!
Blackened chicken is very easy to make and made with simple ingredients. You can cook it on a grill pan, or a cast iron skillet. Plus dinner is on the table in under 15 minutes for a meal that is a family favorite.
That is why this chicken recipe is the perfect dinner idea. It’s so easy and inexpensive to make easy blackened chicken rub. Give this a try and let us know how it turns out for you. We love it so much that we make extras and meal prep to enjoy for lunch during the week. You may also love to make Blackened Tilapia Recipe, Blackened Mahi Mahi or Blackened Shrimp Tacos.
What's in this post: Blackened Chicken
What is Blackened Chicken?
You probably hear this term a lot or see it on menu’s when dining out. But what exactly does it mean? It’s a technique to cook food that consists of lots of different blackening spices and then cooked on high heat.
Traditionally you cook the chicken in a cast iron, because traditional non stick pans cannot handle the high heat. This easy blackened chicken is the best!
Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – You can make this recipe with pork, skinless chicken thighs, steaks and more.
- Blackened Seasoning – Use store bought or make Homemade Blackened Seasoning
- Vegetable Oil – Use oil that you prefer. Avocado oil or canola oil is another great option
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
How to Make Blackened Chicken
Step 1 – Take the chicken and filet it or pound it flat and pat dry with paper towel. This will help it cook evenly.
Step 2 – Put the chicken cutlets on a plate and rub the meat with vegetable oil on both sides of the chicken breasts.
Step 3 – Next, put the homemade blackened seasoning all over the chicken and make sure you spread it all over both sides.
Step 4 – Heat skillet and coat with oil. Add the chicken to the cast iron skillet and cook on medium high heat. It does not take long per side so don’t walk away. Now, it will vary based on the size of your chicken but typically the cooking time is about 5 minutes per side.
- Step 5 – It is important that you do not move the chicken so the outside will get that gorgeous blackened crust. Flip and cook the chicken on both sides. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F with meat thermometer.
- Step 6 – It is that easy and quick! Allow the chicken to rest a few minutes, and then serve with your favorite sides and dipping sauce. It is that simple to make a restaurant quality meal.
Expert Tips
- Adding Spice – Keep in mind the more spice mixture you use, the spicier it will be. If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of seasoning on the chicken.
- Applying Seasoning – You will want to brush or rub the seasoning (instead of just sprinkle it on) to insure that the spices are going to stay when you cook it. This is important so you get that nice seasoning crust on your chicken.
- Cooking Chicken – Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken. As you are cooking the chicken in a single layer, allow it to cook without flipping it. This will provide the perfect texture on the chicken breast. Feel free to bake chicken in the oven at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes.
How to Make Homemade Blackened Seasoning
We love to make Homemade Blackened Seasoning Recipe. It has lots of delicious seasonings that include: smoked paprika or teaspoon paprika, garlic salt or teaspoon garlic powder, parsley, teaspoon salt and black pepper, teaspoon onion powder (or granules), teaspoon cayenne pepper and oregano. We have even added in dried thyme for added flavor.
It is so easy to make Blackened seasoning. You only need a few minutes to put this together in a small bowl. I love knowing exactly what is in the seasoning blend and no extra or hidden ingredients.
However, it is very important that you use a good blackened chicken seasoning (also called cajun seasoning), because you will not get the look or the taste of blackened chicken without these specific spice blends.
Side Ideas for Blackened Chicken
Turn this easy Blackened Chicken Recipe into a complete meal ready in under 15 minutes. Here are 5 recipes that you could serve with this Blackened Chicken Recipe to complete the meal.
- How to Steam Broccoli in the Microwave
- Quick and Easy Instant Pot Potatoes Recipe {ready in 10 minutes}
- Quick and Easy Weeknight Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
- Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan
- Oven Roasted Parmesan Asparagus
- Baked Butternut Squash
- Microwave Sweet Potatoes
We even like to serve this blackened chicken over salads, rice or make Chicken Quesadillas Recipe topped with sour cream and pico de gallo. We have even made a blackened chicken sandwich topped with tomatoes and lettuce.
How to Store Leftover Blackened Chicken
Store leftover blackened chicken in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can also freeze leftover blackened chicken. Put the leftovers in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Food that is blackened isn’t burnt. It is actually coated in a special seasoning that takes on a very dark, almost black color when cooked.
Use melted butter or oil to coat your protein. Then add the blackening seasoning. The oil or butter allows the blackening seasoning to stick.
Blackened seasoning is a special blend of spices, and herbs that resembles Cajun and Creole seasonings. It was created in the 1980s by Chef Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans.
Yes! The seasoning blend itself is healthy, because it is nothing but dried herbs. As long as you are using healthy fats to cook, your blackened food will be healthy.
More Blackening Recipes
We love to hear from you. If you make this Blackened Chicken Breast Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Blackened Chicken
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 Tbsp blacken seasoning
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil (divided)
Instructions
- Filet the chicken or pound out flat so that it will cook more evenly.
- Place the chicken on a plate. Rub 1 Tbsp of the vegetable oil onto both side of the chicken breasts.
- Spoon the homemade blackened seasoning over the chicken and spread around onto the chicken (on both sides). I use ½ tablespoon per piece of chicken (adjust based on your preference). The more you use, the spicier it will be and the less you use the milder it will be.
- Heat up a cast iron skillet so it is hot and spread the remaining vegetable oil onto the bottom of the pan.
- Place the chicken on the hot cast iron pan and let it cook for 5-6 minutes. Time it and don’t move the chicken, so it can get that beautiful blackened crust on it.
- Flip and cook another 5-6 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees F.
- Remove and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Serve immediately and enjoy!
I just did your blackened chicken using your homemade blackened recipe. Awesome! My wife and I love blackened chicken salad. Carrie, you make me look good in the kitchen and on the grill. Thank you for the great recipes!
My son was craving Blackened Chicken but did not like the seasoning I had used previously. I found and made this recipe and it was a winner! He especially liked the balance of spices and level saltiness.
Hi Carrie, Wondering if you could use your Blackened meat recipe for cooking in oven?
Wonderful recipe! I will cut the salt in half next time, but the Family and I loved it! Thanks for the recipe.
Great to hear – Thanks for sharing Luci!
Can this be made a couple of days ahead and reheated for a wedding buffet?
Yes, I think it could be!
Really flavorful but really salty. I will cut back on the salt next time. Thanks!