Blackened Chicken is a flavorful dish featuring chicken breasts coated in a blend of bold spices and cooked to a perfectly seared, crispy finish. The intense seasoning combined with a quick, high-heat cooking method gives the chicken its signature “blackened” crust, making it juicy and packed with flavor. This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or a fresh salad!
📋 Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 🐔
- 2 tablespoons olive oil 🛢️
- 2 teaspoons paprika 🌶️
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder 🧄
- 1 teaspoon onion powder 🌰
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme 🌿
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano 🌿
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 🌶️
- 1/2 teaspoon salt 🧂
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 🌶️
- Optional: Lemon wedges for serving 🍋
📝 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
- Flatten the chicken:
- Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound them to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch thick). This ensures they cook evenly.
- Mix the spices:
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Season the chicken:
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub both sides of each chicken breast with the spice mixture, pressing gently to adhere the spices to the meat.
2. Cook the Chicken:
- Heat the oil:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- Cook the chicken:
- Add the chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, until the chicken is cooked through and the outside is nicely blackened. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
3. Serve:
- Rest the chicken:
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Plate and garnish:
- Serve the blackened chicken with lemon wedges for an extra burst of freshness, and pair it with your favorite side dishes like rice, mashed potatoes, or a crisp salad.
🍽️ Tips:
- Adjust spice: If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper in the spice mix.
- Grilling option: This chicken can also be grilled over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes on each side.
⏱️ Preparation Time: 10 minutes
⏱️ Cooking Time: 15 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4
🔥 Calories: Approximately 250-300 kcal per serving
This Blackened Chicken is bursting with spicy, smoky flavor and is a quick and versatile dish. Serve it on its own, over pasta, or in a salad for a delicious meal! 🍗🌶️🌿