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+ servings

Blackened Chicken

Zesty (but not too spicy), crisp and juicy, this Blackened Chicken is a delicious and easy dinner that's ready in about 20 minutes!
Course Dinner
Cuisine cajun, creole
Keyword Blackened Chicken, Blackened Chicken Recipe, Blackened Chicken Seasoning
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 2 people
Calories 359.7kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne (omit or decrease for a mild flavor)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb. total)
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Vegetable oil
  • Optional for serving: lemon wedges and fresh chopped herbs such as thyme, oregano, or parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a small bowl, mix together cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Place melted butter in a separate shallow bowl.
  • Pat chicken dry. Dip chicken in melted butter, and then coat evenly with the spice mixture on both sides.
  • Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes until it is smoking hot. Add about 1 tablespoon of oil (to coat the skillet). Add chicken to the hot oil and sear for about 2-3 minutes on each side.
  • Place the skillet in the oven and bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (about 6-8 more minutes).

Notes

  • This recipe is designed for 2 chicken breasts. If you're feeding a larger family, you can easily double the ingredients to make twice as much seasoning and use 4 chicken breasts. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to cook the chicken in batches so that you don't overcrowd the pan.
  • Blackened Chicken Tenders, Wings or Thighs: Use the same process with the butter and seasoning on other pieces of chicken, including tenders, wings and thighs. The tenders will cook faster than a large chicken breast, so they might not need to go in the oven at all (they can just cook through in the skillet).
  • How to Grill Blackened Chicken: You can use the same seasoning to grill the chicken instead of cooking it in a cast iron skillet. Follow the recipe instructions to dip the chicken in butter and then coat with seasoning. Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Coat grill with about a teaspoon of oil so that the chicken doesn’t stick. Grill chicken on each side until golden, crispy and cooked through (about 5 minutes per side for small, thin chicken breasts or up to 10-12 minutes per side for larger, thick chicken breasts). The meat is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
  • Cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken. A meat thermometer is the best way to know when your chicken is done. It needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken breast | Calories: 359.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.5g | Protein: 52.6g | Fat: 14.7g | Saturated Fat: 8.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.2g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 510.8mg | Potassium: 628mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.1g