Cajun-Style Blackened Chicken with Creole Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Chicken breasts seasoned with a spicy Cajun blend, blackened to a crisp crust, served with a tangy tomato-based Creole sauce. This Cajun-inspired comfort-food recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, Cajun seasoning, olive oil 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Cajun cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
  3. Step 3: While chicken cooks, mix 1/4 cup tomato sauce, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Stir until well combined.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes. Pour tomato sauce mixture into the skillet and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Slice chicken and drizzle with sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cajun-Style Blackened Chicken with Creole Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cajun-Style Blackened Chicken with Creole Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun-Style Blackened Chicken with Creole Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cajun-Style Blackened Chicken with Creole Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cajun-Style Blackened Chicken with Creole Sauce?

Cajun comfort food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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