Simple Blackened Chicken Recipe
Hey there! Today, I want to share with you one of my all-time favorite recipes – Simple Blackened Chicken. This dish holds a special place in my heart because it never fails to impress with its bold flavors and juicy tenderness. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make, making it a go-to meal in my household.
So, why do I love this recipe so much? Well, I make this when I want to add a little spice to my day (literally!) or when I’m craving a dish that’s bursting with flavor. My family goes crazy for this because it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for both casual dinners and special occasions.
Now, let’s talk ingredients. For this recipe, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, a blend of aromatic spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Feel free to play around with the spice levels to suit your taste buds!
To begin, coat the chicken breasts generously with the spice mix, ensuring each piece is well covered. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until it’s beautifully blackened on the outside and cooked through. This is where I usually sneak a taste to check for seasoning – a little chef’s treat!
Why You’ll Love This Dish
One of the best things about Simple Blackened Chicken is its versatility. You can serve it alongside a fresh salad, steamed veggies, or even slice it up for sandwiches and wraps. The leftovers (if there are any!) make for a delicious addition to salads or pasta dishes the next day.
My grandmother always insisted on using a cast-iron skillet for this recipe, but honestly, any heavy-bottomed pan works just fine. Don’t worry if it looks a bit weird at the blackening stage – that’s where all the flavor magic is happening!
For storage, though honestly, in my house, it never lasts more than a day! But if you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can reheat the chicken in the oven or a skillet for a quick and tasty meal.
When it comes to serving, I love pairing this dish with a zesty cilantro-lime rice and some grilled corn on the cob. The combination of flavors is simply unbeatable!
Variations and Pro Tips
As for variations, I’ve experimented with adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving, which adds a lovely citrusy kick to the dish. However, one experiment that didn’t work out so well was trying to substitute the chicken with tofu – let’s just say some flavors are better left untouched!
Pro tip: Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken. This ensures that each piece gets that perfect blackened crust we all love. I once tried rushing this step and regretted it because the chicken didn’t cook evenly.
Actually, I find it works better if you let the chicken sit at room temperature for a bit before cooking; this helps it cook more evenly. On second thought, marinating the chicken overnight in the spice mix takes the flavor to a whole new level!
Storage and Serving Suggestions
If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a regular non-stick pan works just fine – though you might miss out on that extra depth of flavor the cast-iron provides. And in terms of storage, remember that the flavors tend to develop even more the next day, so don’t be too quick to finish it all at once!
When I serve Simple Blackened Chicken, I like to sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top for a pop of color and freshness. It’s a small touch, but it really brings the dish together. Feel free to get creative with your own garnishes!
And that’s it – a simple yet flavorful recipe that never fails to satisfy. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Simple Blackened Chicken
A flavorful and juicy blackened chicken dish made with a blend of aromatic spices, perfect for adding a little spice to your day. This crowd-pleaser is versatile and easy to make, making it a go-to meal for casual dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 tbsp paprika
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
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1 tsp oregano
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1 tsp thyme
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1 tsp salt
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1/2 tsp black pepper
Directions
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In a small bowl, mix together paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
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Coat each chicken breast generously with the spice mix, ensuring they are well covered.
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Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until blackened on the outside and cooked through, approximately 7-8 minutes per side.
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Check for seasoning by tasting a small piece of the chicken.
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Serve alongside salad, steamed veggies, or use in sandwiches and wraps.
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Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the oven or skillet before serving.
