Blackened Chicken Bowl (Print version)

Spice-rubbed chicken with rice and vegetables in zesty lime crema

# 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
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 until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes, then 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 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 tender and lightly 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 cooked rice among four bowls. Top with sautéed vegetables and sliced blackened chicken. Drizzle with lime crema, garnish with fresh cilantro leaves, and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under an hour, but it tastes like you planned it all day.
  • The lime crema cuts through the spice in a way that makes every bite feel balanced and bright.
  • You can double the spice rub and keep it in a jar for weeknight rescues.
02 -
  • If your pan isnt hot enough before the chicken goes in, the spices will burn before the meat cooks through.
  • Resting the chicken is not optional, cutting it too soon turns the board into a puddle and the meat goes dry.
  • Dont crowd the vegetables in the pan or theyll steam instead of getting those sweet charred bits.
03 -
  • Make a big batch of the spice rub and store it in a sealed jar, it lasts months and works on pork, fish, or roasted chickpeas.
  • If your chicken breasts are uneven, pound them gently to an even thickness so they cook at the same rate and you dont end up with dry edges.
  • Taste the crema before you serve it, lime juice varies in strength and sometimes you need an extra squeeze to make it pop.
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