Blackened Chicken Bowl (Printable View)

Spiced chicken breast with rice, sautéed vegetables, and lime crema for a fresh 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 Make It:

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°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 Advice:

01 -
  • The blackened chicken stays juicy inside while getting a gorgeous charred crust that looks way more impressive than it actually is to make.
  • It comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can have a complete, restaurant-worthy meal on a weeknight without losing your mind.
  • The lime crema is secretly the star of the show, and it transforms every component into something that tastes intentional and bright.
02 -
  • Wet chicken will never blacken properly no matter how hot your pan is, so take the time to pat it dry with paper towels before you season it.
  • The lime crema can be made up to 2 hours ahead and actually gets better as the flavors marry together, so don't stress about timing everything perfectly.
03 -
  • Don't skip patting the chicken dry, which is the single biggest thing standing between you and a proper blackened crust.
  • The lime crema is optional but genuinely transforms the entire bowl from good to absolutely unforgettable, so don't leave it out thinking you're saving time.
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