• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Home Tour
  • Recipes
  • About

Craving Some Creativity logo

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY Home Projects
  • Home Tour
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Free Email Series
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Published: Aug 27, 2021 · Modified: Sep 5, 2021 by Rachel

    Blackened Chicken

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
    140 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Spicy and distinctive, blackened chicken is a flavor explosion that pairs great with so many sides. Simply rub with spices and char for a juicy and satisfying dinner ready in under 15 minutes!

    Spicy blackened chicken breasts in a skillet with title.
    Contents show
    1 Blackened Chicken Seasoning Ingredients
    2 How to Make Blackened Chicken
    3 Serving Ideas
    4 Storage Suggestions
    5 Frequently asked questions
    6 Blackened Chicken
    6.1 Ingredients
    6.2 Instructions
    6.3 Notes
    6.4 Nutrition

    My father and grandparents grew up in New Orleans so I have a well acquired taste for classic Cajun dishes – Shrimp Etouffee, The Best Pralines Ever, and this blackened chicken recipe is one of my favorites.

    In part, this blog serves as an examination of my roots through food. Here, I make food I have made for years. Hispanic, Cajun, and sassy Nashville all rolled into one (and now Washington DC).

    There is something about the blending and layering of flavors that makes cajun and creole cooking so appealing, much like the layers of my history. It’s comfort food with a kick, yet so adaptive. And this classic Blackened Chicken is one of the most versatile!

    Blackened Chicken Seasoning Ingredients

    Below is an overview of the authentic spices you will need along with some notes for cooking this delicious recipe:

    Spice bottles laid out with spoons on a wood background.

    If you are in a pinch, pre-made cajun seasoning is pretty adequate, although it is harder to control the level of heat for your tastes.

    I wouldn’t recommend using you nicest sauté pan, but a cast iron griddle like this is perfect or you can cook it on an outdoor grill.

    How to Make Blackened Chicken

    It’s the method of cooking that makes this recipe very special. The high heat of this cooking method seals in the juices and really wakes up the spice mixture in a way that’s not easily duplicated if you bake or saute the chicken.

    The key is using a cast iron skillet and medium-high to high heat. Wait for the pan to get really good and hot before adding the butter and chicken. In a bowl, combine the spices until well mixed.

    Pound out the chicken breast to a ½-3/4 inch thickness, and season generously with the spice mixture. Add butter to the hot pan, and place the chicken in the pan.

    Cajun Blackened Chicken with green onions garnish in a cast iron skillet.

    This method may mean plenty of smoke and that’s ok! If you don’t have a good hood vent over your stove, making blackened chicken may set off a smoke alarm, but it’s totally worth it, lol. Or you can make it on an outdoor gas grill for the same effect – a charcoal grill doesn’t get hot enough.

    Serving Ideas

    • As an entree with southern favorites like green beans, Squash Casserole, or Fried Apples
    • Atop a bed of simple greens for a Chicken Salad
    • Blackened Chicken Cesar Salad with parmesan flakes and croutons is excellent.
    • Cajun Chicken Pasta – My favorite! It’s wonderful with the creamy alfredo and broccoli.
    • Slice and put it in a wrap with cajun rice, lettuce, and sour cream.
    Alfredo pasta with broccoli and cut up blackened chicken in a white bowl.
    Cajun Chicken Pasta

    Storage Suggestions

    Serve: You can keep cooked chicken at room temperature for up to 2 hours before it should be refrigerated.
    Refrigerate: Cooked chicken should be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Don’t cut up the meat until ready to reheat.
    Freeze: Cool your chicken to room temperature, and place in a freezer or foodsaver bag to minimize freezer burn. Freeze for up to 4 months. You can pre-cut this for salads and sandwiches to reduce thaw time.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I make blackened chicken if I don’t own a cast iron pan?

    Yes, you can! This method needs really high heat and that’s the key. I would recommend a gas grill, preferably with some sort of grill skillet. This just makes the high heat a little more even. If you do not have a skillet, butter the chicken along with the seasoning rather than the pan.

    Does Blackened mean cooked?

    Blackening is a method of cooking most often used for fish or chicken. The protein is well coated in a combination of butter, herbs and spices, then cooked over high heat temperatures. It is traditionally cooked in a cast iron pan.

    Can I make Blackened Fish with this recipe?

    Yes. To make blackened fish, I recommend snapper, mahi, catfish, salmon, seabass, or tilefish. The important part is that the thickness not be more than ¾, or the middle may not cook properly with this method, or it will the edges.

    Close up of Blackened Chicken with green onions on top for garnish.
    Cookbook cover of Chicken and Rice casserole. The cookbook is titled Weeknight Supper Solutions

    Not Sure
    What's For Dinner?

    Signup for recipe updates and get a free cookbook of Easy Weeknight Supper Solutions!

    More Recipes You May Enjoy

    • Parmesan crusted pork chops stacked and cut open  with a fork on top.
      Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops
    • Shrimp etouffee in a bowl on a table.
      Shrimp Etouffee
    • Squash casserole with ritz cracker toping as a side dish served on a stack of plates.
      Southern Squash Casserole
    • New Orleans Pralines Cookies cooling on wax paper.
      Pecan Pralines

    PS. If you make this recipe, leave a COMMENT AND A STAR RATING in the comments section at the bottom and be sure to take a photo and tag it #cravingcreative on Instagram! I appreciate you for taking the time to read about me and my family recipes. 

    Blackened Chicken Recipe- Cajun spices mix together with a special cooking technique for blackening to make a chicken breast that is bold and juicy.

    Blackened Chicken

    Blackened chicken is a flavor explosion that pairs great with so many sides. Simply rub with spices and char for a juicy and satisfying dinner ready in under 15 minutes!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Cajun
    Keyword: blackened chicken
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 278kcal
    Author: Rachel

    Ingredients

    • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1 lb
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper This is 3 pepper spicy rating, for less heat, add just a pinch or less.
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ⅛ teaspoon oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon white pepper can use black pepper as a substitute
    • 1 tablespoon butter

    Instructions

    • The key is using a cast iron skillet and medium-high to high heat. If you do not have a cast iron pan, you can grill outside preferably on a griddle.

    • Pound chicken to ½-3/4 inch thickness, but no more than ¾ inch.
    • Pre-heat pan over medium-high heat.
    • In a small bowl, combine seasonings. Generously coat the chicken breasts on both sides with the spice mixture.
    • Add butter to the hot pan, and place the chicken in the pan.
    • Cook about 8 minutes total (4 minutes per side), flipping after the edges become white and cooked.

    Notes

    This method may produce lots of smoke and that’s ok! If you don’t have a good hood vent over your stove, making blackened chicken may set off a smoke alarm, so opening a window in a small kitchen is a good idea. Or you can make it on an outdoor gas grill for the same effect – a charcoal grill doesn’t get hot enough.
    Storage Suggestions
    Serve: You can keep cooked chicken at room temperature for up to 2 hours before it should be refrigerated.
    Refrigerate: Cooked chicken should be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Don’t cut up the meat until ready to reheat.
    Freeze: Cool your chicken to room temperature, and place in a freezer or foodsaver bag to minimize freezer burn. Freeze for up to 4 months. You can pre-cut this for salads and sandwiches to reduce thaw time.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8oz | Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.5g | Protein: 40.7g | Fat: 10.3g | Saturated Fat: 4.7g | Sugar: 0.1g | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @CravingCreative or tag #CravingSomeCreativity!

    « 50 Ideas for a DIY Spa Day at Home
    Southern Punch Bowl Cake (Potluck Dessert) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Megan says

      March 25, 2021 at 6:03 pm

      5 stars
      So good!

      Reply
    2. Emily says

      March 09, 2021 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      What a great way to kick chicken up a notch. It was delicious and spicy like I like it!

      Reply
    3. Roxanne says

      May 22, 2019 at 9:20 am

      5 stars
      This looks SO delicious, perfect for Memorial Day weekend!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Headshot of Rachel Beach, the author of Craving Some Creativity.

    Hi, I'm Rachel!

    Creativity makes me energized and fearless. My husband and I have been renovating homes for over a decade and love to share our passion for all things home. Follow along for remodeling tutorials, recipes, and entertaining ideas sure to inspire!

    More about me →


    Popular Posts

    • How to Paint a Bathroom Cabinet the Easy Way
    • How To Caulk Baseboards like a Pro
    • How To Beautifully Organize Your Linen Closet
    • How To Paint Cabinets with a Sprayer

    Featured On

    Collection of Expert Features including Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Angie's List, This Old House Magazine, The Huffington Post, Delish, Wayfair, and Real Simple Magazine.

    Get Organized in 2022

    • 20+ Genius Small Bathroom Storage Ideas
    • Helpful Small Pantry Organization Ideas
    • How To Beautifully Organize Your Linen Closet
    • How To Organize a Small Space with Storage Bins
    Pinterest Widget including a snapshot of what Craving Some Creativity has pinned recently.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Favorites

    • Blog
    • Shop
    • Our Home

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2022 Craving Some Creativity

    Inviting traditional Kitchen and Remodel.  Grey bar island.

    Pssst...

    Come on in!
    grab our free EMAIL series
    "weekend home projects that will transform your life"

    Sign up below to receive updates weekly including printables, organization tips, home improvement projects, recipes and more!

    Yes, I want it...

    ×