Description
Spicy Cajun chicken sizzles with intense Louisiana-style flavor, bringing bold Creole spices to your dinner plate. Robust seasonings and quick preparation make this dish a weeknight winner you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, about 6 oz or 170 g each)
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt (adjust if Cajun seasoning is salty)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Station: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to create an optimal surface for seasoning, ensuring maximum flavor absorption and crisp exterior.
- Spice Fusion: Blend Cajun seasoning, granulated garlic, paprika, and kosher salt in a bowl, whisking thoroughly to distribute aromatics evenly and create a uniform spice mixture.
- Oil Infusion: Massage chicken with extra virgin olive oil, promoting spice adherence and facilitating a golden, caramelized finish during high-heat cooking.
- Seasoning Technique: Generously coat both sides of chicken with spice blend, pressing gently to ensure deep flavor penetration and complete coverage.
- Searing Sequence: Heat heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, adding a thin olive oil layer to prevent sticking and enhance caramelization potential.
- Cooking Precision: Place seasoned chicken in hot skillet, searing undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until a rich golden-brown crust forms, then flip and continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Resting Phase: Transfer cooked chicken to cutting board, allowing 3-4 minutes of rest to redistribute internal juices and maintain optimal moisture and tenderness.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and lemon wedges, adding bright, zesty notes to complement the robust Cajun-style flavor profile.
Notes
Maximize Moisture: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure crisp exterior and prevent steaming, which reduces desired golden-brown crust.
Spice Intensity Control: Adjust Cajun seasoning quantity based on personal heat tolerance, starting with less and gradually increasing for perfect flavor balance.
Temperature Precision: Use a digital meat thermometer to accurately gauge 165°F internal temperature, preventing overcooking and maintaining juicy chicken texture.
Pan Selection Strategy: Choose cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet for superior heat distribution and optimal caramelization, creating restaurant-quality seared chicken surface.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg