Blackened Chicken

If you are looking for a flavorful and delicious dinner, look no further than this healthy blackened chicken recipe. This quick and easy dish is made with the perfect combination of spices and seasonings, then cooked to perfection in a cast iron skillet.

Blackened Chicken Recipe

I firmly believe you can never have too many excellent chicken recipes! This easy blackened chicken recipe is great for busy families as it is budget-friendly, ready in under 20 minutes, and yields juicy, flavorful chicken every time.

Enjoy it with two of my favorite sides, homemade mac and cheese and pan-fried asparagus for a complete meal your whole family will love!

What is Blackened Chicken?

Blackened chicken is a dish prepared with blackening seasoning, a combination of herbs and spices. It is typically cooked in a hot skillet, often in oil, and is served with a creamy sauce.

What Sauce Goes With Blackened Chicken?

My homemade blackened chicken sauce is the absolute best! It is creamy and loaded with amazing spices, making it the perfect accompaniment to this dish. It is a must-try!

Aside from homemade, the best sauce for blackened chicken includes ranch, honey mustard, or buffalo sauce.

Blackened Chicken Seasoning

Blackened chicken seasoning is a popular Cajun seasoning blend that adds flavor to chicken breasts or tenders.

It usually contains a combination of herbs and spices, including garlic, onion, paprika, thyme, oregano, and basil. Cayenne pepper can be added to make it a spicy blend.

Blackened Chicken with Sauce Ingredients

For this easy chicken recipe, you will need a few basic ingredients. The recipe card below will give you the exact measurements.

Here is an overview of what you will need to make the best blackened chicken recipe:

• Spices – For the perfect blackened seasoning recipe for chicken, combine organic spices. I like to use paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, oregano, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.

• Chicken – You can use thin-cut boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders for delicious cooked tender chicken.

• Oil – For making blackened chicken in a cast iron skillet, I recommend using a combination of butter and unrefined coconut oil. I don’t recommend using olive oil because the smoke point is too low for high-heat cooking.

Blackened Seasoning Ingredients

Mixing your own blackened chicken spice rub for this recipe is easy! All you need is a small glass jar or small bowl. For this recipe, use the following blend of spices in the quantities listed.

• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons thyme
• 2 teaspoons basil
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Blackened Chicken Sauce Ingredients

The blackened chicken cream sauce is a creamy, flavorful sauce made with a base of mayonnaise and sour cream. Then, spices are added in with just a bit of hot sauce for a savory sauce that is the perfect accompaniment to the smoky flavors in this dish.

• 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 4 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon celtic salt
• 2 teaspoon hot sauce – optional but gives amazing flavor

How to Make Blackened Chicken

Blackened chicken is a quick and easy chicken recipe to prepare for an easy weeknight dinner. All you need is chicken, the spice mixture, and a hot cast-iron skillet.

Step 1: Make the Seasoning Mix

Begin by whisking together the blackening spices. Place the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, oregano, chili powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl and mix well.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Before seasoning the chicken, trim away any excess fat. Once this is done, use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry.

To ensure that the chicken cooks evenly, it is best to pound the chicken breasts so that each one is of a similar thickness. This can be done with a meat mallet or a rolling pin. Or, you can use chicken tenders, as they are usually all of a similar size.

Step 3: Season the Chicken

To ensure that the seasoning mixture sticks, it is essential to sprinkle it on both sides of the chicken. Then, press lightly with your fingers to help this mixture adhere to the chicken.

Step 4: Pre-Heat the Cast Iron Skillet

Begin by adding an equal amount of butter and refined coconut oil to a large, well-seasoned cast iron skillet and placing it over medium-high heat.

Allow the butter and oil to heat up until it begins to shimmer, which usually takes about 4-5 minutes. This will ensure that your cast iron skillet is hot enough to sear the chicken, creating a delicious, flavorful dark crust.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken

Once this skillet is hot, lay the chicken breasts in the hot pan. You should hear a sizzling sound that indicates the heat is hot enough to begin browsing the chicken.

Allow the chicken to cook for 4-5 minutes, and avoid flipping the chicken immediately, as this will help create a lovely blackened crust on the outside of the chicken.

After 4-5 minutes, flip the chicken and continue to cook on the other side.

The chicken is ready when no pink is visible in the middle when juices run clear when pierced with a fork, and when it has been heated to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 6: Let the Chicken Rest

Transfer the cooked chicken from the cast iron skillet to a platter. Loosely cover it with foil to keep it warm, and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Step 7: Make the Sauce

Before serving the cast iron blackened chicken, make the creamy, delicious sauce! Mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, and spices in a small bowl. Stir until fully combined and serve alongside the chicken.

Recipe Notes and Helpful Tips

• Add Spice – If you want heat, add up to a teaspoon of cayenne pepper for spicy blackened chicken tenders!

• Different Cuts of Chicken – Instead of using chicken breasts, try boneless skinless chicken thighs or tenders for blackened tenders! However, you will need to adjust the cooking time, I recommend using a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

• Pre-Heat the Skillet – Preheat the cast iron skillet, which helps to create a non-stick surface, and seals in the flavors of the food. Preheating also helps give the chicken a nice, crispy texture.

• Don’t Move the Chicken – When cooking the chicken on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet, don’t move it around the pan. Moving the chicken before it is ready to flip can cause the blackened crust to stick to the pan.

What to Serve with Blackened Chicken

Blackened chicken is a delicious main dish that can be served with various favorite side dishes. For a light and fresh accompaniment, consider serving a simple green salad. A few other tasty side dish recipes include:

• Perfect Baked Sweet Potatoes
• Pan Fried Potatoes
• White Cheddar Mac and Cheese

Storing Leftovers

Leftover blackened chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Leftover chicken can also be frozen for up to three months. To reheat, place chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed.

I prefer not to reheat the leftover chicken, instead opting to use it cold, thinly sliced, as a topping for chicken salad. This way, I can avoid the dry chicken that can sometimes result from reheating.

Printable Recipe Card

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