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Perfectly seasoned Blackened Chicken…. ready in just 20 minutes! These tender, juicy chicken breasts are coated in the most flavorful Cajun spice blend and pan fried to perfection. Delicious all on their own or in your favorite salad or pasta!
If there’s one thing that can instantly elevate any dish, it’s blackened chicken. I recently rediscovered it when a friend of mine was waitressing at a local restaurant. We had lunch together there one day and she told me I HAD to get the Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad. And let’s just say I’ve dreamt about it ever since.
There’s something about blackened seasoning that takes chicken to a whole new level. And not just chicken… but Blackened Salmon and Blackened Shrimp too! It instantly adds tons of flavor and makes for a delicious addition to sandwiches, salads, and pasta dishes.
And what I LOVE about making it at home is that you can adjust the spice level according to your tastes! If you like it spicy, you can add more cayenne, and if you’re looking for the flavor without the spice you can omit it altogether.
This recipe yields tender chicken with amazing flavor… no sauce required!
what you’ll love about this blackened chicken recipe
3 ingredients: It doesn’t get easier than a 3-ingredient recipe! All you need is boneless, skinless chicken breasts, blackened seasoning, and oil… and you have the most delicious meal ever!
Foolproof: This recipe is completely foolproof and turns out perfectly every time! Just follow the simple instructions and you can’t go wrong!
Amazing flavor: Blackening chicken adds TONS of flavor to any salad or pasta recipe, and is also delicious all on its own.
what you’ll need for this recipe
Chicken – I used 1 pound of raw boneless skinless chicken breasts, which equates to 2-3 breasts, depending on their size. Be sure to grab boneless, skinless breasts for this recipe. *Alternately, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
Blackened seasoning – To season the chicken I used about 3 Tablespoons of blackened seasoning. I like using my homemade seasoning blend, but you can also find it in the spice aisle at your local grocery store.
Olive oil – I used about 2 Tablespoons of olive oil for pan frying. You can also substitute avocado oil or use a combination of butter and oil.
What is Blackened Chicken?
Blackened chicken (or any blackened meat) is meat that is coated in a special spice blend that takes on a very dark brown, almost black color when cooked. Most blackened seasoning blends include some combination of smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, dried thyme, dried oregano, dried basil, and dried thyme. Blackened does not mean burned!
how to make blackened chicken
Pound out the chicken breasts (or thighs). Pounding out chicken breasts tenderizes the meat and prevents uneven cooking. It also helps the chicken to cook a bit faster. How to: place the chicken breast in a large plastic bag or between sheets of plastic wrap, wax paper, or parchment paper. Place it on a heavy microwave-safe cutting board and pound it to an even thickness using a meat mallet, rolling pin, or heavy pan. I usually start at the thickest part of the breast and work my way out to the thinner edges.
Heat the oil. Add the oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat. I like to use a cast iron skillet.
Coat the chicken. Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, then use your hands to coat them with spice mixture. Be sure they’re completely coated before adding them to the pan. *Some recipes call for brushing the breasts with olive oil or melted butter to make sure the seasoning sticks, but I didn’t find this to be necessary.
Pan fry. Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook on one side for 5-6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink and it reaches an internal temperature of 165° F.
Let it rest. Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute themselves back through the meat, ensuring tender, juicy breasts every time.
Slice & serve. Enjoy!
What to Serve with Blackened Chicken
Blackened chicken is delicious all on its own or as an addition to your favorite pasta dish or salad! These are some of our favorites!
Storage & Reheating Tips
Leftover Blackened Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, add some oil or butter to a small skillet and heat the chicken over medium heat until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the oven by placing it in a shallow baking dish and covering it with aluminum foil. Bake on 350 for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Blackened Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (2-3 breasts)
- 3 Tablespoons blackened seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil OR avocado oil
Instructions
- Place each chicken breast in a large plastic bag or between sheets of plastic wrap, wax paper, or parchment paper. Set it on a heavy microwave-safe cutting board and pound it to an even thickness using a meat mallet, rolling pin, or heavy pan.
- Add the oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel, then use your hands to coat them with blackened seasoning.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook on one side for 5-6 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink and it reaches an internal temperature of 165° F.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes before slicing.
Jack says
Your Blackened Chicken Alfredo recipe is an absolute delight—rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. It’s a must-try for anyone craving a truly indulgent meal!