Baked Blackened Chicken

This recipe for spicy, juicy blackened chicken is right up my alley. While blackened chicken may look a lot like chicken that was neglected in the oven for too long, it’s far from it! Thankfully, blackened does not equal burnt in this scenario.

What blackened chicken actually means is chicken that’s been coated in butter (or oil) and a dry rub of spices, and then cooked with high heat until the coating becomes a crispy, “blackened” crust. While traditional blackening happens in a skillet, this recipe makes blackened chicken in the oven, so you don’t have to tend to it as closely. It has tons of flavor, it’s easy to make, and it brings a fun Cajun flair to weeknight dinners!

Juicy Oven-Baked Blackened Chicken Breasts

Blackened chicken just has everything going for it, really. Here’s why you’ll love it…

• So much flavor. The seasonings for this chicken recipe are spot-on, made from a homemade blackened seasoning that crisps up in the oven into a delicious blackened crust.
• Perfect results fast. The entire meal takes about 40 minutes to prep and cook, and most of that is hands-off. Then, the end result is baked chicken breasts that are juicy, versatile, and so delicious.
• Works with different diets. This blackened chicken is naturally gluten-free and low carb. You can also swap the butter for other options to make it dairy free. See the details in the ingredients section.

Recipe Ingredients

Who knew so much bold, Louisiana flavor only required a handful of common ingredients? You likely have most of these in your pantry already, and the rest are easy to come by! Here’s an overview of what you’ll need. Scroll to the recipe card for the quantities.

• Chicken: I use three large boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. You can use more or less depending on the size!
• Olive Oil: Or another neutral oil, like vegetable or canola oil.
• Butter: Unsalted and melted. You csn use plant-based butter or more oil if you need to make this dairy free.
• Spices: This blackened recipe calls for a mix of Cajun-style spices, including paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and dried basil. You can also make your own Homemade Blackening Seasoning to use for this chicken and tons of other recipes!
• Salt & Pepper
• Optional Garnish: Lemon and fresh parsley.

Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead?

You can opt for boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this recipe. This cut of chicken may even come out even more juicy and tender! 

Note that you may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of the thighs. Whether you’re using breasts or thighs, I’d suggest using a meat thermometer to check that the meat is done!

Tips for Success

• Let the Raw Chicken Come to Room Temperature: As a general rule of thumb with most meats, allowing the raw chicken to come to room temperature will help it to cook more evenly. Leave the breasts on the counter for a half hour or so before you plan on cooking them!
• Use the Right Pan: While you can use any baking dish, I like to bake my chicken breasts in a cast iron skillet. It’s oven-safe, easy to clean, and distributed the heat well so it cooks evenly. I think it also adds a little something to the flavor too!
• Adjust the Cooking Time: Depending on the size/weight/type of chicken that you use, cooking times may vary. If you do need to leave your chicken breasts in the oven for longer, drape foil over the casserole dish to keep the tops from burning. 
• Adjust the Heat: If you’re opposed to spicy foods, you can tone down the amount of cayenne (or leave it out altogether – I won’t judge). On the other hand, if you’re a fan of the flame, add in more cayenne or even an extra sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the mix!
• Don’t Skip the Resting: Letting the chicken rest after baking results in the most perfect, juicy, and tender chicken breasts possible. Don’t skip this step!

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover blackened chicken airtight in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the chicken covered in the microwave at half power to keep the meat from drying out.

You can also enjoy the leftovers cold for easy lunches. Slice and serve your blackened chicken over salads, in chicken wraps or chicken sandwiches. 

Does This Freeze Well?

Yes! To freeze cooked blackened chicken, let it cool completely and then wrap it in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil (this helps with freezer burn). It can keep frozen for up to 3-4 months.

Thaw the chicken in the fridge and then serve or reheat as usual.

More Flavorful Chicken Recipes

• BBQ Balsamic Baked Chicken Breasts
• Gluten Free Air Fryer Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
• BBQ Chicken Nachos
• Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken with Apple Cider