Baked Alabama Blackened Chicken with Spicy Cajun Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

Oven-baked chicken breasts coated in a smoky, spicy Alabama-style blackened seasoning that delivers bold flavor without frying. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, paprika, cayenne pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to make the Cajun rub.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts and rub 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over them.
3. Step 3: Generously coat each chicken breast on all sides with the prepared Cajun rub.
4. Step 4: Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is cooked through.
5. Step 5: Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving with your choice of sides.