Blackened Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Tender spiced chicken over rice with vegetables and lime crema.

# What You 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

→ Garnish

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 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 5-6 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a plate and 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 5-7 minutes until tender with light charring. 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • The blackening creates this gorgeous, smoky crust that tastes like you've been working the line all day.
  • Everything cooks in one skillet and about 45 minutes, so weeknight dinner doesn't feel like a chore.
  • That lime crema is the secret weapon, turning ordinary components into something you'll think about for days.
02 -
  • If your chicken seems dry after cooking, you might have gone too long; keep checking it starting at five minutes because thickness varies and overcooked chicken is impossible to save.
  • The vegetables finish cooking much faster than you'd expect, so don't wander away; that window between tender and mushy is maybe thirty seconds.
  • Make the lime crema just before serving because it looks prettier when fresh, and the cilantro stays vibrant instead of turning dark.
03 -
  • Make your spice blend a day ahead and store it in a small container, so assembly becomes even faster the next time you crave this.
  • If you slice your chicken against the grain, it stays tender even if you accidentally cooked it slightly longer than intended.
  • Zest your limes before juicing them, because once they're squeezed, you can't go back.
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