Description
This Blackened Chicken recipe features perfectly seasoned and grilled chicken breasts with a flavorful blend of smoked paprika, cumin, and herbs. It's a quick and easy main dish that can be served alongside vegetables or salads, delivering a delicious smoky and mildly spicy flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Seasoning Mix
- 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
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1–1¼ lbs), 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 prepare 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 large and thick, slice into cutlets by cutting each breast in half crosswise or butterfly, then pound each to ½ – ¾ inch thickness using a rolling pin or meat mallet. Pat the cutlets dry with paper towels.
- Season Chicken: Brush or rub the chicken pieces with avocado oil, then sprinkle the seasoning blend evenly over both sides. Massage the seasoning into the chicken to ensure thorough coating.
- Oil Grill Grates or Pan: Lightly oil the grill grates or grill pan using cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill Chicken: Cook the seasoned chicken on the hot grill or grill pan for about 4 to 7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165℉ and the exterior is nicely blackened.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices and enhance flavor.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Use this blackened chicken recipe as a flavorful protein addition to salads, sandwiches, or as a main dish with vegetables.
- This recipe is versatile and can be cooked on an outdoor grill or a stovetop grill pan depending on availability.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level according to your preference.
- Pounding chicken to an even thickness ensures even cooking and juicier results.
- Resting the chicken after cooking helps the juices redistribute, keeping the meat tender.
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
