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This Blackened Chicken recipe will leave your chicken perfectly blackened with flavorful and juicy chicken breasts.
Here are some yummy sides to serve: Boursin Mashed Potatoes, Collard Greens, Red Beans and Rice, Cabbage and Potatoes, Air-Fryer Asparagus, Dirty Rice, Southern Green Beans, Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots, Stewed Okra and Tomatoes, and Corn Maque Choux.
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I remember the first time I blackened chicken—it came out amazing! Then, the second time, not so much. That's okay because it fits my cooking philosophy that you don't truly understand a technique until you've done it ten times.
That's not to say each time will be perfect, but a valuable lesson.
Blackening anything is an art. If your heat is too high, you'll end up with burnt food. If your heat is too low, you'll have golden brown chicken. You need to have your heat at the right temperature to create a dark brown crusted chicken that tastes awesome without burning any spices.
With all my insider New Orleans knowledge, I will simplify blackening for you in this blog post.
It's best to make your seasonings at home, although you can find plenty of reliable ones. The base of any blackened seasoning should be kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cumin, sugar, or chili powder has never been included.
The options for what you can use the blackened seasoning on or what dishes you can add the chicken to are limitless.
Key Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need to make blackened chicken breasts.
Boneless Chicken Breasts
The easiest thing to learn how to blacken is boneless skinless chicken breasts. Chicken cutlets work well too.
Cajun Seasoning
I could make a homemade blackening spice mix, but Savory Cajun seasoning has done all the heavy lifting.
Melted Butter
You're going to need quite a bit of melted unsalted butter.
How To Make Blackened Chicken Recipe
The key to blackening is all in technique and confidence. That's how I'm going to teach you to make this recipe. Make sure you open a few windows because there will be a lot of smoke.
Homemade Blackened Chicken Seasoning
Here's a blackened seasoning recipe to make at home.
1 tablespoon paprika or smoked paprika
2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
¾ teaspoon white pepper
¾ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoons dry thyme
½ teaspoons dry oregano
In a small bowl, combine all the spices or blitz in a food processor for 15 seconds. Store in a glass jar or any airtight container.
Blackening Chicken
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a large cast iron skillet or heavy-bottom skillet over high heat for 3-4 minutes until smoking hot. Melt the butter in a pan or the microwave.
Dip the chicken in melted butter in batches, evenly coating both sides. Liberally season both sides of the chicken breasts on a plate with Cajun or blackened seasoning.
Place the chicken in a hot cast iron skillet and cook for 3 minutes, until deep dark brown (blackened); flip over and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to a foiled-lined baking sheet. Cook 3-4 pieces at a time, depending on the chicken breasts and skillet size. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces, and bake in the oven for 5 minutes to finish cooking.
Serve hot and garnish with parsley.
Storing Leftover Blackened Chicken
Blackened chicken breasts are best three days after cooking, but they will remain fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for seven days.
If you freeze any leftovers, place them in a freezer storage bag. Chicken is best before three months.
To reheat, bake the blackened chicken in a 350°F oven for 5-8 minutes or until hot.
Pro Recipe Substitutes,Tips & Tricks
Here are a few notes I made from making this delicious Cajun blackened chicken breast recipe.
- Cast iron skillets are best for blackening because they retain heat the best.
- Use room temperature chicken breasts are best. If the chicken is cold, it will solidify the butter.
- You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, salmon (any fish), or shrimp instead of chicken breast.
- If you think your skillet is hot enough, give it another minute unless you see faint white smoke coming from it.
- If your stovetop is anything other than gas, cook the chicken for 1-2 minutes longer to blacken. Electric range voltages go up and down to keep the energy from surging.
- You can use a high smoke point oil like avocado, grapeseed, or vegetable oil instead of melted butter, but avoid using olive oil.
- If you notice that your chicken is not getting the right color, add a couple of tablespoons of butter to the skillet.
- Yes, you will follow the same steps if you want to use your grill to blacken the chicken. Just spray the grill with some cooking spray before cooking.
- If you skip the step of pounding out your chicken, your chicken will blacken unevenly.
- If you don't have a meat mallet, use a small, heavy skillet to pound the chicken breast out.
FAQs
Here are the top questions readers have about making blackened chicken.
What is blackened chicken made of?
Blackened chicken is made of chicken seasoned with blackening seasoning and cooked in a piping hot skillet.
What is the difference between Cajun and blackened seasoning?
Blackened seasoning and Cajun seasoning are similar and originated in Louisiana. Both are made with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and dried thyme. The difference ultimately depends on the recipe, but some subtle differences exist, including oregano, basil, and white pepper.
Is blackened chicken the same as Cajun?
Blackened chicken is a cooking technique created by Cajun Chef Paul Prudhomme.
Does blackened mean spicy?
Blackening is a technique used in cooking with blackening seasons, but each blend varies in spice levels. The heat may be more than you can handle if you buy a store-bought version. I recommend making a homemade blend, and you can control the heat in your food. Cajun and Creole foods usually get a bad rep for being spicy. Yes, there's more cayenne pepper included in the cuisine, but that's not only to add a spicy flavor. It's to be added to balance the flavors.
Is blackened chicken healthy?
Blackened chicken can be healthy if you use oil instead of melted butter. Using less oil makes achieving the proper blackened color easier, making the dish healthier.
Is blackened chicken gluten-free?
Yes, blackened chicken is gluten-free because no flour is used.
Is blackened chicken burnt?
No, blackened chicken is not burnt chicken. Although the final color looks burnt, the spices are perfectly toasted. Coating the chicken breast in melted butter and then cooking it in a piping hot skillet gives it the signature deep dark brown color.
Is blackened chicken grilled?
No, blackened chicken is not grilled. However, you can prepare it on the grill by following the steps in the recipe below.
How do you get blackening seasoning to stick?
The best way to get your seasoning to stick is to dip whatever you're blackening in melted butter or oil before you sprinkle your seasoning over it.
What does blackened chicken taste like?
Blackened chicken is juicy and tender with a crispy charred crust, which can give off notes similar to those of grilled chicken.
What goes with blackened chicken?
Blackened chicken can be served with several things: a green salad, pasta, mashed potatoes, or blackened chicken sandwiches. Whatever you choose, it's a great complement to your favorite vegetables and sides.
More Blackened Recipes
If you love this blackened chicken breast recipe, I know you'll love my other blackened recipes.
- Blackened Chicken Po-Boys
- Blackened Chicken Alfredo Pasta
- Blackened Shrimp over Vegetables
- Blackened Salmon Pasta
- Healthy Blackened Salmon and Shrimp
Before You Begin
Here are my steps for getting organized and moving fast in the kitchen.
Step 1: Get all the ingredients for the blackened chicken recipe on the counter.
Step 2: Put everything measured into individual bowls.
Step 3: Follow the recipe below and prepare the best blackened chicken ever!
Give this recipe a try, and let me know what you think. Be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. I love hearing from my readers!
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📖 Recipe
Blackened Chicken
Ingredients
Blackened Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon paprika or smoked paprika
- 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¾ teaspoon white pepper
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoons dry thyme
- ½ teaspoons dry oregano
Chicken Breasts:
- 8 boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded
- 2 sticks unsalted butter melted
- 4 tablespoons Savory Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
Instructions
Blackened Seasoning:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine all the spices or blitz in a food processor for 15 seconds. Store in a glass jar or any airtight container.
Chicken Breasts:
- Place a large cast iron skillet or heavy bottom skillet over high for 3-4 minutes until skillet is smoking hot.
- In batches dip the chicken in butter, evenly coating both sides. On a plate, liberally season both sides of chicken with blackened seasoning. Place chicken in skillet cook for 3 minutes, until blackened, flip over and cook for 1 minute, transfer to a foiled lined baking sheet. Cook 3-4 pieces at a time depending on size of chicken breast and skillet. Repeat with remaining pieces of chicken, bake in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot and garnish with parsley.
Notes
- Cast iron skillets are best for blackening because they retain heat the best.
- Use room temperature chicken breasts are best. If the chicken is cold, it will solidify the butter.
- You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, salmon (any fish), or shrimp instead of chicken breast.
- If you think your skillet is hot enough, give it another minute unless you see faint white smoke coming from it.
- If your stovetop is anything other than gas, cook the chicken for 1-2 minutes longer to blacken. Electric range voltages go up and down to keep the energy from surging.
- You can use a high smoke point oil like avocado, grapeseed, or vegetable oil instead of melted butter, but avoid using olive oil.
- If you notice that your chicken is not getting the right color, add a couple of tablespoons of butter to the skillet.
- Yes, you will follow the same steps if you want to use your grill to blacken the chicken. Just spray the grill with some cooking spray before cooking.
- If you skip the step of pounding out your chicken, your chicken will blacken unevenly.
- If you don't have a meat mallet, use a small, heavy skillet to pound the chicken breast out.
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