Easy Grilled Blackened Chicken (Juicy & Flavorful)
Easy Grilled Blackened Chicken
Juicy grilled chicken seasoned with blackening seasoning and finished with fresh lime or lemon juice.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 tablespoons Saalf Life Blackening Rub, Traeger Blackened Saskatchewan Rub or your favorite blackening seasoning
- 1 lime or lemon, cut into wedges
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Charcoal Grill: The Weber Kettle and Kamado Joe are great options
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally if they're especially thick.
Place the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to about ½-inch thick using a meat mallet or heavy skillet. Uniform thickness helps the chicken cook evenly and stay juicy.
Pat dry with paper towels.
Season generously with Blackening Rub, pressing the seasoning into the chicken.
Let the chicken rest for 15-20 minutes while the grill preheats.
Step 2: Grill
Preheat your grill to 400°F.
Clean and oil the grill grates(using a paper towel dipped in avocado oil with tongs is an easy way to oil the grates).
Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Remove from the grill.
Immediately squeeze fresh lime or lemon juice over each piece while the chicken is still hot.
Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving. The temperature will continue rising to the USDA-recommended 165°F.
Tips
- Pounding the chicken is one of the easiest ways to keep it juicy.
- Try not to flip the chicken more than once.
- Brush the chicken with a little melted butter after flipping it. It helps the seasoning bloom, keeps the chicken juicy, and gives you a richer blackened flavor without causing as many flare-ups as coating it heavily before it goes on the grill.
- Let the grill do the work—avoid moving the chicken until it releases easily.
- Fresh citrus added after grilling keeps the flavors bright and balances the smoky seasoning.
- Grilling the lime or lemon for a few minutes gives it a slight smokiness and softens it making it easier to squeeze fresh juice out of.
- Leftovers are excellent for Caesar salads, wraps, tacos, grain bowls, or sandwiches.
Serving Suggestions
This grilled blackened chicken pairs well with:
- Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce
- Tin Foil Asparagus
- Easy mashed potatoes
- Caesar Salad
- Grilled Street Corn Salad
- Garlic and Thyme Steak Fries with Garlic Aioli
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs?
Absolutely. Boneless, skinless thighs work wonderfully and stay incredibly juicy. Grill until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Can I cook this on a cast-iron skillet?
Yes. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and cook for about 4-6 minutes per side until the chicken reaches 165°F.
Why pound the chicken first?
Pounding creates an even thickness so the chicken cooks more evenly, stays juicier, and develops a more consistent blackened crust.
More Saalf Life recipes:
- Blackened Red Snapper With Red Pepper Sauce
- Grilled Jerk Chicken Rasta Pasta
- Blackened Shrimp Gochujang Noodles
- Feta and Herb Crusted Salmon
- Blackened Swordfish with Pineapple Salsa
- Solo Cup Burger
- Blackened Blue Cheese Wings
- Cajun Shrimp Pasta


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