Blackened Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Spiced chicken over rice with vibrant vegetables and tangy lime crema for a complete meal.

# What you'll need:

→ 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

→ Serving

24 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
25 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

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, or until blackened and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 creates this irresistible textured crunch that contrasts perfectly with tender chicken underneath.
  • Everything cooks simultaneously, so you're really done in under 45 minutes without any complicated timing stress.
  • Lime crema is your secret weapon—it sounds fancy but it's literally five ingredients mixed in a bowl.
02 -
  • Dry chicken before coating—moisture is the enemy of a good spice crust, and this one lesson changed my entire approach to seasoning proteins.
  • Don't skimp on heat when cooking the chicken; medium-high is essential or you end up with cooked chicken that looks pale instead of beautifully blackened.
03 -
  • Slice chicken against the grain after it rests—this small technique makes each bite tender instead of stringy.
  • Toast your spice blend briefly in a dry pan before mixing if you want even more depth, though it's not necessary.
Go back