Description
This Blackened Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts coated with a vibrant blend of smoked paprika, cayenne, and aromatic herbs. Perfectly grilled on an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan, the chicken develops a flavorful blackened crust that pairs wonderfully with vegetables or salads for a delicious and healthy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Seasoning Blend
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or paprika
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (increase to ¼ teaspoon for more heat)
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Main Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1¼ pounds), cut in half and pounded to ½ – ¾ inch thick
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat Grill: Preheat an outdoor grill to 400℉ or place a grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat to get it hot and ready for cooking.
- Mix Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, salt, cumin, thyme, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Stir well and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: If chicken breasts are thick and large, slice each into cutlets by either butterflying or cutting in half then pounding with a rolling pin or meat mallet until about ½ to ¾ inch thick. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure better seasoning adhesion.
- Season Chicken: Brush or rub avocado oil evenly over both sides of each chicken piece. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture liberally over both sides, then massage the spices into the chicken until evenly coated.
- Oil Grill Grates: Lightly oil the grill grates or grill pan using cooking spray or a brush of oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook Chicken: Place the chicken on the hot grill or grill pan. Grill for about 4 to 7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165℉ and the exterior is nicely blackened.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for at least 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.
- Store Leftovers: Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- This blackened chicken is an easy way to add bold flavor to simple chicken breasts.
- It pairs excellently with grilled vegetables or atop a fresh salad like a BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad.
- You can cook this either on an outdoor grill or on a grill pan on the stovetop, whichever is more convenient.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help the spices adhere better and create a good crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 ounces cooked chicken
- Calories: 165 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 213 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 87 mg
