To make this simple recipe, chicken fillets are pounded thin so they’re incredibly tender. They’re coated in blackening seasoning and pan seared to create a perfectly charred, crispy crust and a juicy, tender interior. Serve this chicken with some sautéed veggies and whole grain rice for a complete meal the whole family will love!

This recipe is easy to double and super freezer-friendly for a simple thaw-and-eat dinner throughout the busy work week. The robust blend of herbs in this recipe creates a cajun rub that results in a smoky, slightly spicy flavor that you’ll absolutely love.

Contrary to how it may sound, blackened chicken isn’t a result of your chicken being burned, overcooked or sticking to the pan. Instead, blackened chicken is a smoky, slightly spicy dry rub that infuses otherwise bland chicken with a burst of flavor. Once the chicken is rubbed with a few staple seasonings, it’s cooked over very high heat, resulting in a lovely blackened outer crust and a moist tender inside.

Yes, you can use this blackened rub on a variety of meat and seafood. We’ve coated chicken, beef, pork, fish and shrimp with this spice rub and then seared them on high heat. All have the same result—a deeply delicious Cajun char.

You can also use this rub to blacken vegetables or tofu for a vegetarian or vegan option.

Low-carb: This blackened chicken served over a plate of romaine lettuce, tomatoes, thinly sliced onions and your favorite dressing makes for a tasty dinner or lunch idea. One of our favorite ways to serve it is on top of FfL’s Cobb Salad.

With a grain: For a heartier, yet quick-and-easy meal, cook short grain brown rice (or your favorite grain) in a rice cooker. Pair it with a side salad or some sautéed or steamed veggies and you’ve got yourself a complete meal.

For more delicious options, check out the ways to reinvent your leftovers listed below.

We’re always looking for ways to reduce time in the kitchen and simplify healthy eating, especially throughout the week. You can prep the different components of this salad ahead of time and then assemble right before serving.

• Prepare your dry rub and store in an airtight container.
• Chop any sides you plan on serving your chicken with (veggies, potatoes, etc.)

Cutlets are essentially chicken breasts that have been sliced in half through the equator to create two thin pieces. They tend to cook more evenly, soak up more flavor and stay juicier than whole chicken breasts.

If you purchase chicken breasts, you can make your own cutlets by following these simple steps:

1. Lay the chicken flat on a cutting board and carefully slice through the center horizontally (parallel to the cutting board) to create two fillets.
2. Place the chicken fillets between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. If using plastic wrap, moisten chicken with a few drops of water so the plastic wrap doesn’t stick.
3. Use a meat mallet, the side of a wine bottle, can of food, a rolling pin, pan or pot to gently pound out the chicken.
4. Starting with the thickest part of the chicken, start to pound on the chicken gently. Make sure you use tiny taps rather than hard hits. If you pound out the chicken too hard, you’ll pulverize the fillet rather than flatten it.
5. Gently pound the chicken to an even thickness. Generally, about 1/2″ is a good thickness.

Blackened chicken should be cooked in a stainless steel or cast-iron skillet (avoid non-stick). The heavy bottom helps to create a charred, crisp crust.

While the ingredients are out and the dishes are dirty, we highly suggest making extra! You can serve it as-is or mix-and-match it with other ingredients to create a variety of meals in a pinch (there are quite a few ideas below).

It’s also extremely freezer-friendly. Just let the chicken cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag (squeeze out any excess air). Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

• Blackened chicken sandwiches
• In a taco (can also use blackened shrimp)
• In a quesadilla
• On top of FfL’s Cobb Salad
• With a creamy bell pepper sauce
• In a grain bowl: Bowls are literally one of the BEST ways to mix and match leftovers! Snag and steam a bag of your favorite frozen veggies (or sautéed some). In a bowl, layer rice, chicken, veggies and any other fun leftovers you have in the fridge that will complement the other flavors. Get creative—possibly add a few slices of avocado? Enjoy!
• With cucumber feta salad (DELICIOUS!): In a large salad bowl, add romaine, tomato, cucumber, onion, olives, crumbled feta and chicken. Drizzle olive oil over and add desired amount of oregano.
• Toss, serve immediately and enjoy!
• Tossed with pasta (can also use blackened shrimp)
• Served with a heaping spoonful of Mango Salsa (can also use blackened salmon)
• With an apricot glaze (can also use blackened steak)
• With pineapple chutney (can also use blackened pork)