Blackened Chicken | One of The Best Healthy Chicken Recipes

This blackened chicken recipe is one of the best healthy chicken recipes you'll make. It has a delicious blend of seasonings and spices that pair well with any dish & the chicken turns out so juicy and tender. Plus, it's super easy to make too! Just a few simple steps are all you need to follow to make some delicious blackened chicken!

The Best Blackened Chicken Recipe

Chicken breasts are one of the most versatile foods.

And there are so many ways to make them, it can be hard to pick one

Some chicken recipes are extravagant and involve a long process or complicated steps. 

But, this blackened chicken is one of the easiest chicken recipes you can make. You only need a few simple spices and seasonings to make it, and the chicken is done in under 20 minutes.

So, I guess it's no surprise why it's become one of my go-to chicken recipes for lunch & dinner.

And, it meal preps fantastically too!

Seriously, all you have to do is pair the chicken with any of your favorite sides and some veggies, and you've got yourself a quick, easy, and delicious meal!

If you need something to pair it with, I suggest making this cauliflower soup or these low carb french fries.

Ingredients For Blackened Chicken

As I mentioned, the only ingredients you will need for this recipe are a few spices and seasonings -along with the chicken breasts, of course. 

And the spices and seasonings we will be using are some of the most common for cooking, so odds are you already have all of them on hand. 

That said, here's what you'll need: 

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts 
• 1 tablespoon paprika 
• ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 
• ½ teaspoon Italian herbs seasoning 
• ½ tablespoon onion powder 
• ½ tablespoon garlic powder 
•  ½ teaspoon salt 
• pinch of ground black pepper 
•  Lemon for garnish
• 2 tbsp olive oil for frying

Pretty common stuff, right?!

The Main Ingredient: Chicken

So, for this recipe, we are going to be using chicken breasts. But, you can also use chicken thighs or any other chicken that you prefer. 

That said, if your chicken breasts are thicker, slice them horizontally to reduce the cooking time.

Also, to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly, I suggest flattening the chicken to be all the same size.

To do this, place the chicken between two pieces of parchment paper, plastic wrap, or in a resealable bag. Then starting in the center, pound lightly with the flat side of a meat mallet, and work your way to the outsides until the chicken is even in thickness.

Can You Use Frozen Chicken To Make Blackened Chicken

One way to always have this recipe as an option if you need a quick meal is to keep frozen chicken on hand. 

If you are using frozen chicken, there are two ways to go about thawing it. 

One way is to move the chicken from the freezer to the refrigerator. Then, allow up to 2 days for the chicken to completely thaw, depending on how big a piece of chicken it is.

Also, another way to thaw the frozen chicken is in a bowl of cold water.  To do this, place the chicken in a leak-proof, zip loc bag to avoid any water from entering. Then, submerge the bag in the bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. And the thawing process will take up to an hour per pound of chicken.

All that said, after the chicken thaws, it will remain safe for a day or so in the refrigerator - so cook it soon after you thaw it.

How To Make Blackened Chicken

So, to make our blackened chicken, we will be cooking it on a cast-iron skillet. And cast-iron skillets can go from the stovetop right into the oven, making this recipe a seamless process. 

The combination of searing and baking is what gives the blackened chicken its unique flavor. 

That said, make sure you have on an oven mitt on hand to move your skillet from the stovetop to the oven. The handle of the skillet will be just as hot as the surface.

Ok, now let's get cooking!

Step 1: Prep

First, you'll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C).

Then measure out all of your spices and seasonings, mix them in a small bowl, and set them aside.

Then, heat your cast-iron skillet over high heat and add your olive oil to cover the surface of the skillet. 

Step 2: Season The Chicken

While the skillet is heating up, brush the chicken breasts lightly with olive oil on each side. 

Then, spoon the seasoning mixture evenly over one side of the chicken.

Press the chicken breasts with your hands to make sure the seasonings stick, then do the same thing to the other side. 

Step 3: Cooking The Chicken

Now, once the cast-iron skillet is smoking hot, add your chicken breasts. 

Cook them for about 1 minute on each side to blacken.

Then, transfer the skillet into the heated oven to finish cooking for about 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). 

Now, once the chicken is cooked, take it out of the oven, let it cool for a few minutes, and then garnish with lemon and serve.

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken

Ok, so making this blackened chicken in an air fryer is just as easy - if not, easier - than making it in a skillet & oven.

So, to make this recipe in your air fryer you'll want to preheat it to 360°F (175°C) for 5 minutes. 

Then, while the air fryer is preheating, you'll want to follow the same steps above to season your chicken breasts. 

Now, once the air fryer is heated and your chicken breasts are seasoned, place your chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, and cook them on each side for 10 minutes apiece.

Storing Your Blackened Chicken

Ok, so you made this blackened chicken, you ate it, you loved it, and now you have some leftover and need to store it.

Well, after the chicken is cooked, you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container - or sealable bag - for up to 4 days. 

And, if you want to store this chicken for longer, you can keep it in the freezer in an airtight container - or in a freezer-safe bag - for up to 4 months. 

That said, if you do freeze the chicken, just make sure to eat it within 3 days after it's defrosted. 

Having a deliciously quick and easy chicken recipe is something every home cook should know. And this blackened chicken recipe is just that. 

Anyway, I hope you love it as much as I do.

And, as always, if you make it, I'd love to hear what you think about it in the comments below.

More Chicken Recipes

Now, this blackened chicken is one of the easiest chicken recipes you can make.

But these are right up there, and you should definitely give them a try:

• Chicken Bryan 
• Keto Fried Chicken 
• Keto Chicken Nuggets

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