Juicy One-pan Blackened Chicken Thighs Recipe

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No one likes to spend hours in the kitchen after the day’s work to make a flavourful chicken dinner. Things get worse when you get dry, flavorless meat, which completely trashes the whole time you just spent. These are the most common problems when a new cook tries to prepare something delicious. But don’t worry, thinking about all of these things, today, I am going to show you this blackened chicken thighs recipe that will be your new go-to.

This recipe contains juicy, tender chicken thighs that are bursting with spicy flavor. These thighs are seared to perfection with a bold spice blend that turns simple ingredients into something truly unforgettable.

But what makes this recipe so special? See, whenever you are trying to cook something spicy, the balance is what impacts the taste and flavor. I have personally tried it unlimited times and found out the perfect balance of the spices, which I am going to share today. To be very honest, I can not give up making this still. The taste is truly unforgettable.

So, if you are cooking for your family, meal prepping for the week, or looking to impress your new guests with a restaurant-style dish, this recipe will fulfill your needs! Keep reading to discover the full recipe, expert tips for that perfect sear, and genius serving suggestions that turn this flavorful favorite into a weeknight staple.

What You’ll Need

Here are all the ingredients that you’ll need to make this super-perfect recipe:

1. 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
2. 3 tablespoons of neutral oil.
3. 1 Tablespoon of onion powder
4. 1 tablespoon garlic powder
5. 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
6. 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning
7. 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

So, here are all the ingredients you’ll need to make this awesome recipe. Once you have it all, then let’s move on to the next part.

Instruction

Here’s how you can make this super delicious blackened chicken thighs recipe:

1. First, put the chicken thighs on a plate and cut off all the excess fat if you want. I always cut them as I don’t like those excess fats.
2. Now, put the chicken thighs in a bowl and pour the 3 tablespoons of neutral oil, 1 tablespoon of onion powder, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning, and finally 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Mix all the ingredients well.
3. After that, marinate the whole mixture in the fridge for about two hours to increase the flavor and let it spread perfectly. But if you are in a hurry, then you can cook immediately.
4. After marination, set a pan or skillet on medium-high heat on your stovetop and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
5. When the oil starts to lightly smoke, lay the chicken into the pan and pat it down a little bit to increase surface contact with the pan.
6. Now, cook the chicken thighs for 5 to 6 minutes on one side and flip over when the meat has a nice black-brown sear on the bottom and begins to turn white around the edges.
7. Thereafter, cook the other side for 3 to 4 additional minutes until it’s fully cooked. You can check if the chicken thighs are fully cooked by just using a meat thermometer. Make sure the internal temperature of the thighs is above 170°F.
8. At last, bring the chicken thighs out of the pan and let them rest for at least 10 minutes before serving, and you’re done.

Tips For Cooking

Here are some tips for cooking this recipe that will make your recipe super tasty:

1. Pat dry your chicken thighs before seasoning: Even if we are using oil in the marinade, first pat dry the chicken and remove excess fat before adding all the seasonings. Removing excess moisture ensures that the seasoning sticks well to the chicken thighs and gives more delicious flavors.
2. Don’t overcrowd the pan: If you have more chicken thighs than I mentioned, you might need to cook in batches if needed. However, if you use the same amount of chicken thighs as I have mentioned, you still might need to divide them into batches while cooking. Because you should never overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding causes steam, not sear. If you want that gorgeous, flavorful crust, not soggy chicken, then never overcrowd them. Keep a safe distance between them.
3. Try dry-brining overnight for deeper flavor: If you have time, season the chicken thighs (without oil) and refrigerate uncovered overnight. This draws moisture to the surface, which then gets reabsorbed, resulting in juicier, more flavorful meat.
4. Let it rest, don’t skip this step: You might think that this is a waste of time to let it rest, but it’s not. Letting the chicken rest for 10 minutes after cooling allows the juices to redistribute, which means every bite is moist and flavorful, not dry.
5. Pair it with cooling sides: This blackened chicken thighs recipe is a spice bomb. You should pair it with some cooling and casual sides. If you are running out of those ideas, you can check below to have some serving suggestions that go extremely well with these chicken thighs.
6. Use a cast iron skillet for maximum flavor: Cast iron skillets hold heat better and help create that deep, smoky sear that is essential for the “blackened” effect. It also enhances the flavor over time as it becomes seasoned.

Now, let’s move on to the serving suggestions part of this recipe.

Serving Suggestion

As I said previously, this recipe is basically a spice bomb. That’s why you should have something soothing and light with it. Here are some of the most perfect side dishes that I personally think are “PERFECT”. You might find something else great to go with this recipe. If that’s the case, then please let me know. I would love to hear from you. Here are the suggestions:

1. Classic southern comfort plate: You can pair your blackened chicken thighs with creamy mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and buttermilk coleslaw. It’s the ultimate comfort combo that never fails, especially the mashed potatoes. Trust me, they go well with almost everything. If you are a regular visitor of my blog, then you know from my coconut chicken thighs, cream of mushroom chicken thighs, and even spicy chicken thighs with ranch dressing recipe, I have suggested using them as side dishes. I just love them.
2. BBQ Chicken Sandwiches: Shred or slice the chicken and serve it on toasted brioche buns with BBQ Sauce. Add some cheddar cheese, crispy fried onions, and a side of sweet potato fries, just heaven.
3. Blackened chicken caesar wraps: First, chop your blackened chicken thighs and wrap them in large flour tortillas with romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and caesar dressing. It could be a perfect lunchbox for your office journey.
4. Healthy grain bowls: Serve sliced blackened chicken over brown rice to quinoa with steamed broccoli, roasted sweet potatoes, avocado, and a drizzle of ranch or spicy Greek yogurt sauce.

Try Out Some Of My Other Recipes

Besides this delicious recipe, if you want to try some of my other recipes, then here are some of the most delicious, as well as reader-loved recipes:

1. Juicy boiled chicken thigh recipe
2. Homestyle chicken thigh and gravy recipe
3. Chicken thigh and lentil recipe
4. Creamy chicken thigh pasta recipe
5. Lemon pepper chicken thigh recipe

Also, you can check out our Trader Joe’s shawarma chicken thighs recipe and kid-friendly boneless skinless chicken thighs recipe, which are also super delicious and take a really short time to make or prepare perfect for your busy weeknights.

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Conclusion

So, now you know how to cook this super-delicious blackened chicken thighs recipe. If you have tried it, then please let me know how it was. Also, if you want to give me some suggestions, then you are also welcome. I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

Thanks for reading and happy cooking!