Description
This Blackened Chicken recipe features tender and juicy chicken breasts coated with a flavorful blend of smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, and cayenne pepper, then grilled to perfection. It's a quick and easy dish that adds a spicy, smoky kick to your meal, ideal for serving with veggies or over a fresh salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Spices and Seasonings
- 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 or Grill Pan: 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 the mixture aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Slice large chicken breasts into cutlets by halving them crosswise or cut in half and then pound them between parchment paper with a rolling pin or meat mallet to an even thickness of ½ to ¾ inch. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
- Coat Chicken with Oil and Seasonings: Brush or rub each chicken cutlet with avocado oil. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly on both sides and use your hands to massage and coat the chicken thoroughly.
- Oil Grill Grates or Pan: Lightly oil the grill grates or grill pan with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken on the hot grill or grill pan. Cook for about 7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ and the chicken is nicely blackened and cooked through.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. This helps retain the juices for a tender bite.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- This blackened chicken adds a spicy, smoky flavor to simple chicken breasts, making them perfect for a quick dinner or meal prep.
- It pairs well with grilled vegetables, steamed greens, or atop a salad like BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad.
- Use either an outdoor grill or a grill pan on the stovetop depending on available equipment and weather.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on your preferred spice level, adding more for extra heat.
- For even cooking, pound chicken to uniform thickness and pat dry before seasoning.
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
