Bookmark
This Blackened Chicken recipe is what spicy food lovers crave, made with tender chicken seasoned with piquant blackening seasoning, then seared in butter. Ready in 10 minutes or less!
What is Blackened Chicken?
Looking for a quick and easy meal with a nice level of spice? I have the perfect thing for you – blackened chicken. Blackened chicken is the perfect easy weeknight dinner for the spicy food lover.
Blackened chicken is chicken that has been dipped in or brushed with butter, seasoned with a bold mixture of seasonings, called “blackened seasoning” or “blackening seasoning”, then seared over high heat, usually in a cast iron skillet. The combination of seasoning, butter and high heat develops a dark crust on the chicken that gives it its characteristic charred look and spicy flavor.
You can also achieve this on the grill or in an oven, usually with the broiler, but a cast iron skillet or very hot pan is really the best tool for blackening foods.
About the Blackening Seasoning
Blackened seasoning includes a mixture of chili powder, garlic and onion powder, black pepper, oregano and thyme, though recipes can vary from cook to cook. Blackening seasoning is key for flavor and achieving that dark crust on blackened chicken.
The seasoning is very similar to Cajun Seasoning or Creole Seasoning, with a mix of chili powders, spices and herbs. It is definitely one of my go-to seasoning blends.
You can make your own blend to fit your own personal tastes. See my Homemade Blackened Seasoning Recipe to start from. I love to slip in a bit of ghost pepper powder into my mix for an extra spicy blend. Spice it up, my friends! It’s such a great spice rub.
Blackened Chicken Ingredients
- Smoked Paprika: 1 tablespoon
- Cayenne Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon
- Ground Black Pepper: 1 teaspoon
- Sea Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Dried Basil: 1/2 teaspoon
- Dried Oregano: 1/2 teaspoon
- Dried Thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
- Chicken Breasts: 2, boneless and skinless
- Butter: 3 tablespoons, melted
- Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon
- Sliced Jalapeños or Serrano Peppers: for garnish
- Fresh Chopped Parsley: for garnish
- Spicy Chili Flakes: for garnish
How to Make Blackened Chicken
- Make the seasoning:
- Mix all of the blackening spices together in a small bowl. Make sure it is blended evenly.
- Season the chicken:
- Brush one side of each chicken breast (or thigh) generously with melted butter. Generously spoon on the blackening seasoning. I like to season mine in a large bowl to get everything evenly coated.
- Blacken the chicken:
- Heat a large cast iron skillet to high heat and add the chicken breast, buttery-seasoned side down. Cook chicken 3–5 minutes to blacken. You'll get a better sear with medium-high heat to high heat than medium heat.
- Add more butter and seasoning:
- Brush or drizzle on the remaining butter, then generously add more seasoning. For extra flavor, brush it with my Cowboy Butter Recipe.
- Cook the chicken:
- Flip the chicken and cook another 2–3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. It should measure 165°F internal temperature when measured with a meat thermometer. If needed, you can preheat the oven to 350°F then finish cooking the chicken in the oven to come to temp. Cooking times will vary, depending on the thickness of your chicken.
- Optional addition:
- Just after you flip the chicken, add some sliced jalapeño peppers or serrano peppers to the pan for extra heat and for serving with the chicken.
- Finish and serve:
- Squeeze on lemon juice. Garnish with sliced peppers, fresh chopped parsley, spicy chili flakes and serve!
Bookmark
Recipe Tips & Notes
Oven Baked. You can make blackened chicken in the oven. Oven baked blackened chicken is delicious and doesn't use quite as much butter. To make it, heat your oven to 350°F. Sear the seasoned chicken breasts in a smoking hot cast iron pan or other oven safe pan for 1 minute per side, then transfer the pan to the oven. Bake the chicken for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. It will cook faster in the pan, but baking is quite easy.
Blistered Peppers. I like to toss in some sliced jalapeño peppers or serrano peppers into the pan to char and blister up. It's basically a version of Mexican Chiles Toreados, or blistered peppers, which go perfectly with blackened chicken. Delicious. Totally optional, but great for a chilihead like me!
Side Dishes. Serve it up with mashed potatoes like this Tex-Mex Mashed Potatoes recipe, or classic Cajun dirty rice. Try my Cajun Cauliflower Rice recipe for a lighter version.
Bookmark
Storage
Once it's cooled off to room temp, you can keep blackened chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3–4 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What is blackened chicken?
Blackened chicken is coated in bold seasonings and seared in butter over high heat to form a flavorful dark crust.
- → What spices are used in blackening seasoning?
Typical spices include smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and basil.
- → Can I make blackened chicken in the oven?
Yes, sear the chicken briefly in a hot pan, then finish cooking in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
- → What sides go well with blackened chicken?
Great options include mashed potatoes, Cajun dirty rice, or lighter dishes like cauliflower rice.
- → How do I control the spice level?
Adjust the cayenne or use milder chili powders. You can also skip the extra chili flakes or peppers.
- → How long can I store blackened chicken?
Store cooled chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.