This Cajun Chicken Recipe is healthy, juicy and flavorful 30 minute meal. Lean chicken breast is coated in easy homemade cajun seasoning and then pan fried, baked or grilled.

If you love chicken that packs a punch, try our chili lime chicken or air fryer chicken bites.

Cajun chicken garnished with parsley and served on white plate.

This cajun chicken recipe gives you a browned crust on the outside and a tender juicy inside. We loved it so much, I used the cajun spice mix to make cajun shrimp!

Spices like oregano, thyme, paprika, and garlic powder, and a bit of added heat from the cayenne and red pepper flakes, make this a spice so flavorful that even your kids will love this chicken recipe!

It can be baked, pan fried, grilled or use the seasoning on your air fryer chicken breast!

Ingredients for Cajun Chicken

Chicken breasts, oil, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
  • Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
  • Oil: I use avocado oil for high heat cooking. You can substitute olive oil, if that’s what you like.
  • Cajun seasoning: Paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, onion powder, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, ground black pepper, salt.

How to Make Cajun Chicken

Here is a quick overview how to make it. You can pan fry, bake or grill it.

I’m going over the stove top method with photos right down below. Full recipe card and other cooking methods are located at the bottom of this post.

Sliced chicken breasts on a cutting board with a knife.
  • Prep: Cut chicken breasts lengthwise into thinner cutlets and place in a large bowl. This step helps to avoid pounding the chicken.
Cajun seasoning mixed in a bowl with a fork.
  • Make Cajun seasoning: In a small bowl, add paprika, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
Chicken breasts seasoned with Cajun seasoning in white bowl.
  • Season the chicken: Sprinkle Cajun seasoning mix onto the chicken and toss making sure all of the chicken pieces are coated. If you are going to grill or bake it, also add oil to the bowl transforming it into a chicken marinade.
Pan fried cajun chicken on a skillet.
  • Pan fry: Preheat a large non-stick skillet on medium heat and swirl oil to coat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes or until white edges appear, turn and cook for another 4-5 minutes. It’s a thinner chicken breast, so you don’t want to overcook it.

Other Cooking Methods

To bake, arrange in a baking dish in a single layer and bake at 450 F for 25 minutes. Or grill on medium-high heat (450-500 degrees F) for 8-10 minutes turning once, or air fry the chicken. Always let meat rest covered for 10 minutes.

Tips for Best Results

  • Pound to even thickness: When you cut the breast in half, you may not always get pieces that have an even thickness. If this is the case, you can pound the thicker parts down to get it even for consistent cooking.
  • Adjust the heat: If you find this cajun chicken a bit too spicy, use less of the red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper next time. Use more if you want it spicier!
  • If short on time: You can buy this cajun seasoning that is made with natural ingredients and is low in sodium.
  • Different meat: This cajun spice rub can be used for all kinds of protein like steak, shrimp and even cod. You may also use boneless chicken thighs and cook for same time. Bone-in chicken like chicken drumsticks or chicken thighs will need a bit longer cook time.

Serving Ideas

How to Store and Reheat

Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freeze: If you’ve made lots, you can freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

Reheat: These chicken breasts are pretty thin, so reheat for a short amount of time.

You can reheat in the same way you prepared them or here is how to reheat chicken breast in air fryer. Or enjoy cold in a sandwich or a salad.

FAQs

What does cajun taste like?

Cajun seasoning has a bold spicy flavor from paprika and cayenne and earthy flavors from dried herbs. It can be mild or spicy depending on how much cayenne pepper you use.

What is a good substitute for cajun seasoning?

Good substitute for cajun seasoning would be this all purpose seasoning, Old Bay seasoning or my pot roast seasoning.

How do I know when my chicken is done?

According to USDA, chicken is ready when an instant read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of chicken registers 165 F.

More Chicken Recipes to Try

Cajun chicken garnished with parsley and served on white plate.
4.96 from 23 votes

Cajun Chicken

This Cajun Chicken Recipe is healthy, juicy and flavorful 30 minute meal. Lean chicken breast is coated in easy homemade cajun seasoning and then pan fried, baked or grilled.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Video

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, 3 large
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil

Homemade Cajun Seasoning:

Instructions 

  • Cut chicken breasts lengthwise into thinner cutlets and place in a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl, add paprika, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt and red pepper flakes; stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons of prepared cajun seasoning in the step above on chicken breasts and using tongs toss to coat. If you are grilling or baking cajun chicken, also add oil to the mix.
  • To pan fry: Preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet on medium heat and swirl oil to coat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes or until white edges appear, turn and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Transfer onto a plate, cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.
  • To bake: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F, arrange chicken in a single layer in a large baking dish and bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • To grill: Preheat grill on medium-high heat (450-500 degrees F), place chicken on the grill, close the lid and grill for 8-10 minutes turning once. Do not overcook. Remove from the grill, cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.
🎉 Last step! If you made this recipe, please leave a review and let us know what you think!

Notes

  • Store: Refrigerate covered for up to 5 days. Reheat same way you cooked them or best is to eat cold so they don’t dry out.
  • Freeze: In an airtight container for up to 3 months.
  • Adjust the heat: If you find it a bit too hot and spicy, use less of the red pepper flakes and cayenne. Use more if you want it spicier.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cutlet, Calories: 201kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 300mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!
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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 14 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Very good. A little salty and I like salt. Not sure if I measured wrong or what. I will definately make again but keep that in mind.

  2. Came across this recipe in Pinterest and been in love with your blog ever since.. I tried it today with whatever I could get a hold of and it was super yummy!!! Thank you
    Regards
    rose martine

  3. Hello Olena,
    Thank you for the receipt and the positive blog generally! I tried Cajun chicken by several ways, and yours appears the best one.
    To say shortly: I am also 8 years ago moved from Ukraine to USA; like you, I grew on a real food; I love to spoil my husband and my son with homemade meals; and my name is also Olena.

    1. No way! Welcome and so happy to hear from you.:) Please don’t be shy to leave me a comment with a star review once you make any recipe. Have a great week!

4.96 from 23 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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