Easy Blackened Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Easy Blackened Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. With a smoky, spicy crust and tender, juicy meat inside, it’s sure to become a family favorite. This recipe only takes 30 minutes from start to finish.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1/2 lb. each)
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning herbs
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons canola oil, divided

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Step 2: In a shallow dish, whisk together the smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, dried thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
3. Step 3: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Coat both sides with 2 tablespoons of canola oil.
4. Step 4: Toss the chicken on both sides in the seasoning mixture, pressing gently with your fingers to help it stick.
5. Step 5: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot and starting to smoke, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon canola oil and brush it evenly over the skillet.
6. Step 6: Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 30 seconds on each side to develop a blackened crust.
7. Step 7: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and continue cooking the chicken for 12-15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
8. Step 8: Remove the chicken from the oven, transfer to a platter, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika.
• If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
• Use olive oil instead of canola oil for a richer taste, but watch for smoking during searing.
• Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a dollop of sour cream for added brightness.

Storage

Store cooked blackened chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven until warmed through to maintain moisture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken breasts for this recipe?

Bone-in breasts will take longer to cook. Adjust the oven time accordingly and use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

Is it necessary to use a cast-iron skillet?

A cast-iron skillet is ideal for achieving the high heat needed for blackening, but you can use any heavy-bottomed skillet that withstands high temperatures well.

Easy Blackened Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 96 reviews

Easy Blackened Chicken is a flavorful and spicy dish featuring boneless skinless chicken breasts coated in a robust blend of smoked paprika, cayenne, and herbs. It is quickly seared in a hot cast-iron skillet to achieve a charred crust, then finished in the oven for juicy, perfectly cooked chicken.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1/2 lb. each)

Seasoning Mix

• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning herbs
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Oil

• 3 tablespoons canola oil (divided)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F to prepare for finishing the cooking of the chicken after searing.
2. Mix seasonings: In a shallow dish, whisk together the smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, dried thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined.
3. Season chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Coat each breast on both sides with 2 tablespoons of canola oil, then thoroughly toss both sides in the seasoning mixture, pressing firmly with your fingers so the coating adheres well.
4. Heat the skillet: Place a large cast-iron skillet over high heat and heat it until it is smoking hot, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon of canola oil and brush it evenly over the skillet surface.
5. Sear the chicken: Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the hot skillet and sear for about 30 seconds on each side just to blacken the surface and develop a crust.
6. Finish cooking in the oven: Transfer the skillet with the chicken to the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 160°F. The meat should no longer be pink inside.
7. Rest and serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the chicken breasts to a platter. Cover loosely with foil and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Using a cast-iron skillet is key to achieving the blackened crust because it retains high heat well.
• Resting the chicken after cooking helps keep it juicy and tender.
• You can adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the spiciness of the dish.
• Make sure chicken is fully cooked by checking for an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure food safety.

Keywords: blackened chicken, spicy chicken recipe, cast iron chicken, easy chicken dinner, paprika chicken