Blackened Chicken | How To Make Blackened Chicken Drumsticks

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to add some flavor to your chicken dinners? Look no further than blackened chicken! This tasty and flavorful dish is easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.

Why This Will Be Your Favorite Way To Meal Prep Chicken

• Fast. Juicy, flavorful drumsticks that are ready in under 30 minutes.
• Easy. Just season, spray with oil and toss the drumsticks in your air fryer. It doesn't get any easier than that!
• Low Carb. Only 1 net carb per serving.
• Budget-friendly. An affordable way to feed a crowd without loading up on carb-heavy ingredients.

What Does Blackened Chicken Mean?

Blackened chicken is a type of dish where the chicken is seasoned with a blend of spices, then pan-seared or grilled until the outside is crispy and blackened.

For this blackened chicken drumstick recipe, I decided to utilize my air fryer for a hands-free and mess-free dinner. I couldn't have been any more excited about the results!

Does Blackened Chicken Taste Burnt?

Blackened chicken is cooked in a very hot pan or on a grill until the spices form a crust on the surface of the chicken.

The chicken is not actually burnt, but the spices give it a slightly charred flavor that many people find appealing. If the chicken is cooked for too long or at too high a temperature, it could potentially taste burnt, but if prepared correctly, the blackened chicken should not taste burnt.

What Is The Difference Between Blackened Chicken And Regular Chicken?

The difference is all in the seasoning! Blackened Chicken is the same cut of chicken as regular chicken drumsticks (or breasts and thighs if you choose that cut of meat) but it's referred to as blackened chicken because of the deliciously seasoned crust that forms when the chicken is cooked.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Chicken drumsticks
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Butter

How To Make Blackened Chicken

Here's how to make blackened chicken at home in just a few simple steps:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
2. Place the chicken drumsticks in a shallow dish and sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken, making sure to coat it evenly.
3. Lightly spray the seasoned drumsticks with oil.
4. Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket and cook at 290F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
5. Check the temperature of the chicken, and once it reaches 165F close to the bone, remove it from the air fryer.
6. Garnish with lemon, lime, or cilantro, and serve.

Variations

• Consider another cut. Are drumsticks not your thing? No problem. Season some chicken tenderloins or chicken thighs with the same seasoning blend and use my tips for air fryer chicken thighs or air fryer chicken tenderloins for cooking instructions.
• Make blackened chicken pasta. Prepare your chicken according to the instructions below and use it instead of shrimp for my Instant Pot Shrimp Alfredo recipe.
• Use it for meal prep. Make a double batch of chicken and portion it out in meal prep containers for an affordable and healthy weekday lunch on the go.

What To Serve With Blackened Chicken

Blackened chicken is a delicious and easy way to add some flavor to your dinner routine. If you're looking for something tasty to serve alongside it, try one of these recipes:

• Rice- White rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice are all good options to serve with blackened chicken.
• Vegetables- Grilled or sautéed vegetables such as zucchini, squash, bell peppers, or onions are a healthy and tasty option.
• Salad- A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing goes well with the bold flavors.
• Baked potato- A classic side dish that pairs well.
• Corn on the cob- Grilled corn on the cob is a favorite that goes well with blackened chicken.
• Coleslaw- A refreshing and crunchy coleslaw can balance out the spicy flavors.
• Biscuits or rolls- For a more hearty meal, biscuits or rolls can be served on the side.
• Pasta salad- A cold pasta salad with vegetables and a light dressing is another good option.

How Long Does It Last?

Blackened chicken can last for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. To store blackened chicken, place it in an airtight container or wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.

More Easy Chicken Recipes

• Salsa Chicken
• Chicken Meatloaf
• Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Pin It!

If you love this Blackened Chicken Recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Instagram so they can try it too! Don't forget to Pin it so you can make it again soon.

Don't forget to check out my other Keto cookbooks.

Keto Instant Pot, Keto Fat Bombs, Sweets, & Treats, and Easy keto in 30 minutes.