Blackened Chicken with Spicy Cajun Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Blackened chicken with a zesty Cajun spice blend that creates a bold and smoky crust. This American-inspired chicken recipe (gluten free), ready in about 22 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 rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 American cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 pieces (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
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
for serving lemon wedges

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Instructions

Step 1: 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 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the Cajun spice rub.
Step 2: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and evenly coat both sides with the spice rub.
Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
Step 4: Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until the crust is dark and blackened and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, flipping carefully to avoid disturbing the crust.
Step 5: Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with fresh lemon wedges to brighten the flavors.