What is the difference between blackened chicken and grilled chicken?

Grilled chicken is made by cooking chicken on a grill or grill pan, no matter the seasonings. Blackened chicken refers to chicken that has a spice mixture applied on the outside, which gives it a dark look. It is often grilled, but can be cooked by other methods. It’s a popular method in Cajun and Creole cooking.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for blackened chicken?

Yes, you can use this blackened chicken spice mix for chicken thighs or even chicken legs.

Can I cook blackened chicken in an air fryer?

Yes, to make it in the air fryer, prep the chicken cutlets by coating them with the spice mix. Preheat an air fryer to 360℉ and air fry the chicken pieces for 15-20 minutes, turning over once. The chicken is done when it registered 165℉ on a meat thermometer.

Easy Blackened Chicken

Name: Blackened Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 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; 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1-1 ¼ bs), cut in half and pounded to ½ – ¾ inch thick; 2 teaspoons avocado oil

Servings: 2-4 1x

Ingredients

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
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1–1 ¼ bs), cut in half and pounded to ½ – ¾ inch thick
2 teaspoons avocado oil

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Instructions

Preheat an outdoor grill to 400℉ or place a grill pan on the stovetop over medium-high heat.
In a small bowl, combine the seasonings (smoked paprika through black pepper); stir and set aside.
If chicken breasts are large and thick, slice them into cutlets by cutting each chicken breast in half crosswise through the middle (butterfly) or cut the breasts in half and place on a cutting board, cover with parchment, and pound with a rolling pin or meat mallet to flatten the chicken to ½ – ¾ inch thickness. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken cutlets dry.
Brush or rub the chicken with the avocado oil. Then sprinkle the seasoning mixture over both sides of the chicken and use your hands to spread and massage it into each piece until evenly coated.
Oil the grill grates or grill pan with cooking spray or oil. Cook the seasoned chicken on the hot grill or grill pan until cooked through to an internal temperature of 165℉ and blackened, about 4-7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken. Remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest at least 5 minutes before slicing.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 5 ounces cooked chicken
Calories: 165
Fat: 3 g
(Sat Fat: 0 g)
Sodium: 213 mg
Carbohydrate: 0 g
(Fiber: 0 g
Sugar: 0 g)
Protein: 34 g
Cholesterol: 87 mg

Dietary

Dairy-Free Egg-Free Gluten-free Grain-Free Nut-free Paleo Whole30

Recipe By: Stacie Hassing