Blackened Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Tender spiced chicken over rice with colorful vegetables and tangy lime crema for a complete satisfying meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# How to Make:

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 internal temperature reaching 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 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 chicken gets that beautiful smoky crust while staying impossibly tender inside, and you'll actually feel proud serving it.
  • Everything comes together in under 45 minutes, which means you can make this on a weeknight without losing your mind.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and packed with vegetables, so it feels nourishing without tasting like health food.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the pan when cooking chicken or you'll steam it instead of sear it, and that ruined my first attempt until someone finally told me this obvious truth.
  • The lime crema can separate if you mix it too aggressively, so whisk gently and taste constantly instead of blindly adding everything at once.
03 -
  • Cook your chicken breasts to the same thickness by gently pounding them with a meat mallet before seasoning, so they cook evenly and you don't end up with dried-out edges.
  • Make the lime crema up to two hours ahead and refrigerate it, which actually lets the flavors get to know each other better.
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