Blackened Chicken Bowl (Printer-Friendly)

Spiced chicken over fluffy rice with colorful vegetables and tangy lime crema for a complete and balanced meal.

# What You 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

→ Garnish

24 - Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
25 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

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 5-6 minutes per side 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 5-7 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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • The blackened crust creates this amazing textural contrast that keeps things interesting with every bite.
  • Everything cooks in roughly the same timeframe, so you're not juggling multiple stages or keeping things warm.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and feels fresh without being fussy or complicated.
02 -
  • Never skip drying the chicken—moisture is the enemy of a good crust, and that's the detail that separates okay from really good.
  • The pan needs to be genuinely hot before the chicken goes in; hesitation leads to sticking and uneven cooking, so commit to the heat.
03 -
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, you can season and sear the chicken ahead of time, then reheat gently; the crust won't be quite as crispy, but the flavor holds perfectly.
  • Make the lime crema and prep your vegetables the morning of, so when dinner time hits, you're really just cooking chicken and rice.
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