These delicious and easy blackened chicken sandwiches have bold, smoky blackened chicken thighs, perfectly toasted buns, creamy mayo, and crisp lettuce for the perfect spicy chicken sandwich.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Looking for an easy, delicious recipe for blackened chicken sandwiches? You've come to the right place.
In my mind, this is the ultimate chicken sandwich.
They are built on a perfectly toasted brioche bun with creamy mayonnaise, crispy, fresh lettuce, and juicy, smoky, savory chicken thighs coated in homemade blackening seasoning.
They're simple to make, with filling, flavorful chicken and just the right blend of herbs and spices.
They're also a great alternative to fast food, like the popular Popeye's blackened chicken sandwich.
These sandwiches are also adaptable.
Swap in chicken cutlets, add some sriracha or another favorite hot sauce for a spicy mayo, and add any toppings you like - I love pickled serrano peppers, pickled onions, or thinly sliced jalapeño!
And they're easy to scale. You can make a bunch of blackened chicken and build sandwiches throughout the week for meal prep, share them with friends and family, or bring them to your next party or gathering.
Serve them up with salads, vegetables, potatoes, pickles, or any of your other favorite sandwich sides. Check out this article on what to serve with sandwiches for more ideas!
It's a fantastic one-pan recipe to make any night of the week, which I can always use more of. Be sure to let me know if you try it!
What You'll Need for Cajun Chicken Sandwiches
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Chicken
- Chicken Thighs I recommend boneless, skinless chicken thighs for easy and quick cooking. They are readily available in most grocery stores.
- Olive Oil You can also use a neutral oil like vegetable oil, grapeseed oil or avocado oil. I always have olive oil on hand, so that's what I use.
Blackening Spice
- Cayenne Pepper I use cayenne pepper in this recipe for the spicy element. You can adjust the level of spice by adding more or less cayenne pepper.
- Thyme Using dried thyme adds a floral, savory flavor to this blend of spices. I don't recommend using fresh thyme here.
- Oregano I recommend using dried oregano in this recipe, too. There is no need to buy fresh seasonings for a dry blend.
- Black Pepper I use freshly ground black pepper in my cooking. I find that it's more flavorful than pre-ground pepper and it's easy to keep on hand.
- Garlic Powder I recommend garlic powder in this recipe rather than any fresh garlic products. It helps create a well-mixed spice blend.
- Paprika I use sweet paprika in my blend, but smoked paprika or hot paprika would both be excellent.
- Kosher Salt I use kosher salt for all of my savory cooking. If you only have table or sea salt, divide the amount in the recipe by half.
Note: You also have the option to use a store-bought blackening spice if you'd prefer. I like to make my own so I can ensure it tastes exactly like I want.
Sandwiches
Brioche Buns I recommend using brioche buns for this recipe, but feel free to use any good-quality buns you have on hand. Kaiser rolls will also work.
Mayonnaise Use whatever your favorite brand is. I like brands that have a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar in them for tanginess, but you can also add just a drop of apple cider vinegar to any brand to achieve that same taste.
Lettuce I like to use shredded iceberg lettuce in this recipe. It has excellent crunch and doesn't wilt as easily as something like spring mix.
Recommended Equipment
Frying Pan or Cast Iron Skillet
How to Make this Blackened Chicken Sandwich Recipe
Step One: Whisk together the spices and salt to create the blackened spice mixture. Taste for seasoning and adjust if you'd like.
Step Two: Place a skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil.
Step Three: Pat the chicken dry. Coat them on all sides with the blackening spice.
Step Four: Cook chicken on one side for about 5 to 6 minutes, until it forms a blackened crust.
Step Five: Flip the thighs and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. It should read a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant-read thermometer.
Step Six: Remove the chicken from the pan. Let rest for a few minutes.
Step Seven: Meanwhile, toast the buns until golden brown.
Step Eight: Smear the top bun with mayo.
Step Nine: Assemble sandwiches by placing the cooked chicken on the bottom bun, then topping with a handful of shredded lettuce.
Step Ten: Serve right away!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes! If you love the blackened chicken thighs at Popeye's, this recipe is an easy way to make them at home with fresh ingredients.
Blackening seasoning is very similar to Creole or Cajun seasoning. It's a combination of spices and herbs that is used to season dishes like blackened chicken, shrimp, or fish.
Blackening seasoning is very similar to Creole or Cajun seasoning. It's a combination of spices and herbs that is used to season dishes like blackened chicken, shrimp, or fish.
Variations and Substitutions
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: You can also cook the chicken for this recipe in the air fryer. Add the chicken to the air fryer basket at 390 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Ensure the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chicken Breasts: You can easily use chicken breasts for this recipe as well. Cut the chicken breast in half lengthwise for even cooking, then cook for about 3 to 5 minutes per side.
Spicy Mayo: Whisk between a teaspoon and a tablespoon of hot sauce to your mayo.
Onion Powder: I don't typically add onion powder to my blackening spice, but if you'd like to, by all means, add it to your ingredient list.
Different Toppings: You can add thinly sliced red onion, tomato, a slice of creamy cheese, or a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice. You could also try this Wingstop ranch recipe!
Fish Sandwich: Try swapping the chicken in this sandwich for a piece of cod or other thick, flaky, white fish.
How to Store
Fridge Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. I recommend storing buns, lettuce, and chicken separately.
Freezer You can freeze the chicken for up to 6 months. To reheat the chicken, thaw it in the fridge overnight and then heat it up in a pan with a bit of oil, in the air fryer, or in the microwave.
Reheating Reheat the chicken pieces either in the microwave at 30-second intervals until heated through, in the air fryer for a few minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, or on the stove with a bit of oil over medium heat.
How to Serve
Can't decide what to serve with blackened chicken sandwiches? Try some of the side dishes below!
Potatoes I love these spicy, lemony Calabrian potatoes, garlicky air fryer fingerling potatoes, or German potato salad with bacon and herbs.
Salad Greek green salad is one of my favorite salads. You can also try this side salad with lemon herb dressing or an arugula caprese salad. This Mexican street corn salad would be a delicious side, too.
Roasted Veggies This asparagus and Brussels sprouts recipe is a fantastic easy side, as are roasted cherry tomatoes, spicy roasted vegetables, or roasted broccolini.
Sauce Try serving chicken sandwiches with different sauces and condiments, like pineapple habanero sauce, cilantro crema, or creamy dill sauce.
Want to end the meal with something sweet? These matcha cookies are wonderful.
Expert Tips
- This recipe is easy to scale. You can easily make a big batch of chicken sandwiches to serve a bigger crowd.
- Don't use a nonstick skillet. You don't want to use a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat because it degrades the nonstick coating quickly and you'll have to replace your pans much more often. This was something very helpful I learned in culinary school!
- Use a meat thermometer. I always use an instant-read thermometer to get an accurate temperature reading. If the chicken is below 165 degrees Fahrenheit, continue to cook it for a minute or two depending on the thickness of your chicken.
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More Easy Chicken Recipes
📖 Recipe
Blackened Chicken Sandwiches
Equipment
- Frying Pan or Cast Iron Skillet
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado or grapeseed oil
Blackening Spice
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt or to taste see note 1
Sandwiches
- 4 brioche buns or other bun of choice
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 cup iceberg lettuce shredded
Instructions
- Whisk together the spices to create the blackened spice mixture. Taste for seasoning and adjust if you'd like.
- Place a skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil.
- Pat the chicken dry. Coat them on all sides with the blackening spice.
- Cook chicken on one side for about 5 to 6 minutes, until it forms a blackened crust.
- Flip it and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. It should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the chicken from the pan. Let rest for a few minutes.
- Meanwhile, toast the buns until golden brown.
- Smear the top bun with mayo.
- Assemble sandwiches.
- Serve right away!
Notes
- If you only have table or sea salt, divide the amount in the recipe by half.
- Fridge Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. I recommend storing buns, lettuce, and chicken separately.
- Freezer You can freeze the chicken for up to 6 months. To reheat the chicken, thaw it in the fridge overnight and then heat it up in a pan with a bit of oil, in the air fryer, or in the microwave.
- Reheating Reheat the chicken pieces either in the microwave at 30-second intervals until heated through, in the air fryer for a few minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, or on the stove with a bit of oil over medium heat.
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