Blackened Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Spiced chicken breast served over rice with colorful vegetables and tangy lime crema.

# Ingredient List:

→ Blackened Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Rice

11 - 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
12 - 3 cups water or chicken broth
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Vegetables

14 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
15 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
16 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced
17 - 1 red onion, sliced
18 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
19 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Lime Crema

20 - 1/2 cup sour cream
21 - Zest and juice of 1 lime
22 - 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
23 - Salt to taste

→ Garnish and Serving

24 - Fresh cilantro leaves
25 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring water or broth and salt to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
02 - In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Pat chicken breasts dry, drizzle with olive oil, and rub the spice mixture evenly over all sides.
03 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
04 - In the same pan, add olive oil. Sauté bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes until just tender and slightly charred. Season with salt and pepper.
05 - In a small bowl, mix sour cream with lime zest, lime juice, cilantro, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth.
06 - Divide rice among four bowls. Top with sautéed vegetables and sliced blackened chicken. Drizzle with lime crema, garnish with cilantro leaves, and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The spice crust builds a flavor so deep and complex that people always ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • Everything cooks in one skillet plus one saucepan, which means minimal cleanup and maximum dinner-table satisfaction.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and flexible enough to swap in whatever vegetables are looking good at the market.
02 -
  • Drying your chicken breasts thoroughly before seasoning is the difference between a beautiful blackened crust and a sad, steamed surface, so don't skip this step.
  • Medium-high heat is critical, but medium-high on your stove might be different from mine, so start watching for that moment when the pan looks almost dangerously hot before adding the chicken.
  • The lime crema can be made up to two hours ahead, which saves you from juggling too many things in the final minutes.
03 -
  • Slice your chicken breast horizontally into thinner cutlets before seasoning if you want them to cook faster and be easier to sear evenly on both sides.
  • Make your lime crema right when you start cooking so the flavors have time to meld, and serve it cold or at room temperature while everything else is warm for a beautiful temperature contrast.
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