I wholeheartedly believe you can never have too many recipes using blackening seasoning. It is a staple in my pantry.. (Just ask my Blackened Salmon, Blackened Steak and this Blackened Shrimp.) If you’ve been with me for a while, then you’ve probably already figured that out. Because it packs in so much flavor, is extremely versatile, and budget-friendly, when I want to serve something with some serious flavor going with blackened protein is the way to go.
In a nutshell, this Blackened Chicken recipe calls for chicken breast to be brushed with butter and spices, then seared on the stovetop before baking. It comes together in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for meal preps and weeknight dinners. Blackened Chicken was made for anyone who likes their chicken juicy, tender, and insanely flavorful. Trust me, the days of bland chicken are gone. Now, onto the good stuff!
Blackened Chicken
What does it mean to blacken chicken?
In short, blackening your chicken refers to the process of dipping your chicken in butter, covering it with spices, and searing it in an ultra-hot pan (usually cast iron). A key difference between blackening and charring chicken is that Blackened Chicken always uses a delicious combination of spices, while charred chicken could be plain.
What You’ll Need for Blackened Chicken
The best part about this chicken dinner recipe is that it is so simple! All you need for Blackened Chicken are three key ingredients:
- Chicken. While you can put blackened seasoning on just about any cut of chicken, I am partial to boneless and skinless chicken breasts.
- Butter. Melted butter is used to glue the spice rub to the chicken. However, you can swap olive or avocado oil if needed.
- Spices. Blackened Chicken is made with a truly irresistible combination of smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
This dish is incredibly easy to make. That being said, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve for making this the best-blackened chicken ever:
- Use a ziploc bag. If you’re interested in skipping out on some extra dish-washing (seriously, who isn’t?), you can use a ziploc bag to blend your spices. Just toss your spices into the bag, shake, and throw it away when you’re finished.
- Know that different-sized chicken has different cooking times. If you use particularly large chicken breasts, they are going to take longer to cook. On a similar note, to make your chicken cook even faster, you can simply cut it into smaller pieces.
- Cover it with foil. After the chicken comes out of the oven, cover it loosely with aluminum foil (tent-style) for 10 to 15 minutes. This will ensure the chicken stays warm while it’s resting, and it’ll give its juices a chance to spread.
- Adjust the spice mixture: If you are using a homemade spice mixture, feel free to adjust it to your preferences. Add more spice, more herbs, sweetness, make it your own.
Ways to Serve Blackened Chicken
Not only is it delicious, but blackened chicken is ultra-versatile. It elevates just about any dish for a seriously tasty meal. If you need some inspiration, here are some of my favorite ways to serve this dish:
- Salads. Looking for a simple and mouthwatering protein to throw on top of your salads? Look no further. blackened chicken tastes amazing on top of this Spinach Salad with Creamy Balsamic (or any other salad you can think of).
- Wraps. Because it is so juicy and tender, this chicken is ideal for stuffing into any of your favorite wraps. Simply combine blackened chicken, your favorite veggies, and a squirt of dressing into a pita wrap or tortilla for a quick and easy lunch or dinner option. The leftovers also make a seriously good chicken salad.
- Pasta. I am a firm believer that every good pasta meal needs some protein. That being said, I’m a sucker for putting Blackened Chicken atop this One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta and this Creamy Mushroom Pasta.
- Grain bowls. I’ll admit that I used to toss just regular old chicken atop my rice and quinoa bowls. However, having a batch of Blackened Chicken on hand changes the game. Not only is it an easy way to add tons of protein, but this chicken has an amazing flavor that compliments whatever is in the bowl.
- Tacos. Craving a fresh spin on taco night? This recipe is the answer! This baked chicken is the perfect way to mix up your Taco Tuesday rotation and surprise your family in the best way.
How to Store Leftover Chicken
As you can see, there are many different things you can do with blackened chicken. For that reason, I’ve found that it is a terrific dish to keep on hand. Now, whenever I make this chicken, I try and make an extra batch for later.
Leftover blackened chicken is great for work lunches and no-fuss dinners. Trust me, it is the perfect solution for those weeknights when you really don’t feel like cooking. To store leftovers, simply seal them up in an airtight container or storage bag. Then, you can refrigerate them for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 2-3 months.