Description
Blackened chicken is a flavorful dish that combines juicy, tender chicken breasts with a spicy, smoky crust that tantalizes your taste buds. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, this recipe is easy to make and will impress your family and friends. With its vibrant colors and bold flavors, blackened chicken can be grilled, baked, or pan-seared, making it a versatile addition to any meal. Serve it with rice, veggies, or toss it into salads for an exciting twist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels for better searing.
- In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and coat both sides with the spice mixture.
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sear each chicken breast for 5-7 minutes per side until charred and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
- Remove from heat and drizzle fresh lemon juice over the chicken before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Pan-searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast (approximately 170g)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Experiment with different herbs like rosemary or oregano for unique flavor variations. For optimal texture, do not overcrowd the skillet when cooking. Rest the chicken for a few minutes after cooking to retain its juiciness.