Are you looking for a quick and easy way to add some flavor to your chicken dinners? Look no further than blackened chicken! This tasty and flavorful dish is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.

Why This Will Be Your Favorite Way To Meal Prep Chicken
- Fast. Juicy, flavorful drumsticks that are ready in under 30 minutes.
- Easy. Just season, spray with oil and toss the drumsticks in your air fryer. It doesn’t get any easier than that!
- Low Carb. Only 1 net carb per serving.
- Budget-friendly. An affordable way to feed a crowd without loading up on carb-heavy ingredients.
What Does Blackened Chicken Mean?
Blackened chicken is a type of dish where the chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices, then pan-seared or grilled until the outside is crispy and blackened.
For this blackened chicken drumstick recipe, I decided to utilize my air fryer for a hands-free and mess-free dinner. I couldn’t have been any more excited about the results. It’s one of our best air fryer chicken recipes yet!
Does Blackened Chicken Taste Burnt?
Blackened chicken is cooked in a very hot pan or on a grill until the spices form a crust on the surface of the chicken.
The chicken is not actually burnt, but the spices give it a slightly charred flavor that many people find appealing. If the chicken is cooked for too long or at too high a temperature, it could potentially taste burnt, but if prepared correctly, the blackened chicken should not taste burnt.
What Is The Difference Between Blackened Chicken And Regular Chicken?
The difference is all in the seasoning! Blackened Chicken is the same cut of chicken as regular chicken drumsticks (or breasts and thighs if you choose that cut of meat) but it’s referred to as blackened chicken because of the deliciously seasoned crust that forms when the chicken is cooked.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken drumsticks
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Butter
How To Make Blackened Chicken
Here’s how to make blackened chicken at home in just a few simple steps:
- In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a shallow dish and sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Lightly spray the seasoned drumsticks with oil.
- Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket and cook at 290F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check the temperature of the chicken, and once it reaches 165F close to the bone, remove it from the air fryer.
- Garnish with lemon, lime, or cilantro, and serve.

Variations
- Consider another cut. Are drumsticks not your thing? No problem. Season some chicken tenderloins or chicken thighs with the same seasoning blend and use my tips for air fryer chicken thighs or air fryer chicken tenderloins for cooking instructions.
- Make blackened chicken pasta. Prepare your chicken according to the instructions below and use it instead of shrimp for my Instant Pot Shrimp Alfredo recipe.
- Use it for meal prep. Make a double batch of chicken and portion it out in meal prep containers for an affordable and healthy weekday lunch on the go.
What To Serve With Blackened Chicken
Blackened chicken is a delicious and easy way to add some flavor to your dinner routine. If you’re looking for something tasty to serve alongside it, try one of these recipes:
- Rice - White rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice are all good options to serve with blackened chicken.
- Vegetables - Grilled or sautéed vegetables such as zucchini, squash, bell peppers, or onions are a healthy and tasty option.
- Salad - A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing goes well with the bold flavors.
- Baked potato - A classic side dish that pairs well.
- Corn on the cob - Grilled corn on the cob is a favorite that goes well with blackened chicken.
- Coleslaw - A refreshing and crunchy coleslaw can balance out the spicy flavors.
- Biscuits or rolls - For a more hearty meal, biscuits or rolls can be served on the side.
- Pasta salad - A cold pasta salad with vegetables and a light dressing is another good option.
How Long Does It Last?
Blackened chicken can last for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. To store blackened chicken, place it in an airtight container or wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Salsa Chicken
- Chicken Meatloaf
- Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Blackened Chicken | How To Make Blackened Chicken
Ingredients
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- ▢ 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Mexican Chili Powder
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
- ▢ 8 chicken drumsticks
- ▢ 2 tbsp Oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a shallow dish and sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Lightly spray the seasoned drumsticks with oil.
- Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket and cook at 300F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check the temperature of the chicken, and once it reaches 165F close to the bone, remove it from the air fryer.
- Garnish with lemon, lime, or cilantro, and serve.
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Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats , and Easy keto in 30 minutes.

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Blackened Chicken | How To Make Blackened Chicken
Ingredients
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Mexican Chili Powder
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tbsp Oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a shallow dish and sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken, making sure to coat it evenly.
- Lightly spray the seasoned drumsticks with oil.
- Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket and cook at 300F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Check the temperature of the chicken, and once it reaches 165F close to the bone, remove it from the air fryer.
- Garnish with lemon, lime, or cilantro, and serve.
Blackened Chicken | How To Make Blackened Chicken https://twosleevers.com/blackened-chicken/
Cilantro chimichurri is a delicious, flavorful sauce that’s perfect for grilled meats, sandwiches, and so much more. It’s made with a blend of fresh cilantro, parsley, garlic, and olive oil, and has a bright, fresh flavor that’s sure to impress.

Why You’ll Want To Whip This Up
- Fast. A quick no cook recipe that will be ready to enhance your next meal in under 30 minutes.
- Easy. Follow a few simple instructions for a tasty bite anyone can recreate.
- Vegetarian. Brightens your favorite vegetarian dishes while keeping things perfectly meat-free.
- Versatile. Customize your ingredients using some of my suggestions below to make the best chimichurri recipe for your palate.
What Does It Taste Like?
Cilantro Chimichurri has a bold, herbaceous flavor that’s perfectly balanced by the tanginess of the vinegar and the spiciness of the red pepper flakes. The sauce is also slightly garlicky and has a slight bitterness from the cilantro, which is balanced by the sweetness of the parsley. Overall, cilantro chimichurri has a bold, lively flavor.
What Is Mexican Chimichurri Made Of?
To make cilantro chimichurri, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Cilantro leaves
- Parsley leaves
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
How To Make Cilantro Chimichurri
- First, add the cilantro, parsley, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt to a food processor. Pulse the mixture until it’s finely chopped.
- Next, with the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and red wine vinegar. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed.
- Once all of the ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy, transfer the cilantro chimichurri to a serving bowl.
That’s it! Your cilantro chimichurri is ready to enjoy with just a few simple steps and fresh ingredients.

Variations
Chimichurri is a versatile sauce that can be made with a variety of different ingredients and flavor combinations. Here are a few variations of chimichurri that you might like to try:
Parsley Chimichurri - This variation is made with parsley, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt. It has a bright, fresh, and slightly spicy flavor that’s perfect for grilled meats, sandwiches, and more.
Cilantro Mint Chimichurri - This variation is made with a blend of cilantro and mint, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt. It has a refreshing, cooling flavor with a slight bitterness from the cilantro and a hint of sweetness from the mint.
Garlic Cilantro Chimichurri - This variation is made with cilantro, lots of garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt. It has a bold, garlicky flavor with a slight bitterness from the cilantro.
What To Serve It With
There are so many delicious ways to use cilantro chimichurri! You can use it as a marinade for grilled meats, a topping for sandwiches or wraps, a sauce for dipping, or even a condiment for tacos or burritos. The possibilities are endless!
Here are a few of my recipes you may enjoy this sauce with:
- Sous Vide Steak
- Chipotle Chicken Tacos
- Shish Kabobs
How Long Does It Last?
After you have your first bite of this Cilantro Chimichurri, it’ll be hard to store it without trying at least one bite. So, you can use it immediately or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
More Delicious Sauce Recipes
- Baja Sauce
- Potsticker Sauce
- Big Mac Sauce

Cilantro Chimichurri | How To Make Homemade Chimichurri Sauce
Ingredients
- ▢ 2 cups Cilantro
- ▢ 1/2 cup Chopped Parsley
- ▢ 4 cloves Garlic
- ▢ 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
- ▢ 1/4 cup Olive Oil
- ▢ 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- ▢ 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- ▢ 1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- First, add the cilantro, parsley, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt to a food processor. Pulse the mixture until it’s finely chopped.
- Next, with the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and red wine vinegar. Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed.
- Once all of the ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy, transfer the cilantro chimichurri to a serving bowl.
Get support & connect with our community on Facebook!
Nutrition
Don’t forget to check out my other Ketocookbooks.
Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats , and Easy keto in 30 minutes.
