If you were to ask me, blackened chicken sandwiches are the ultimate chicken sandwich. Perfectly charred and juicy blackened chicken breasts piled on a soft brioche bun topped with crisp lettuce, tomatoes and onions, and our all-star creamy taco dressing.
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Skip the drive-thru and recreate your favorite sandwich recipes at home. Dive into classic layers with these clubhouse sandwiches, or enjoy the slow-cooked richness of French dip sandwiches. If you want a fun twist on some favorites, try my Big Mac smash tacos, Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supremes, or these sweet and savory Hawaiian slider burgers!
What is Blackened Chicken?
Blackening chicken (or any protein) is a cooking technique where the meat is heavily seasoned and marinated with a homemade Cajun spice mixture and then seared over high heat, usually in a cast-iron pan or on a grill. During cooking, the spices char, creating an irresistible crust on the outside of the chicken that locks in all the juicy flavor.
This technique cooks the meat, creating a perfect seal on the outside, locking in the juices and ensuring that the finished product is crispy and charred on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside.
If you love this blackened chicken sandwich recipe, you have to try my blackened shrimp taco salad recipe, too!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This blackened chicken burger is very similar to the Popeyes version and makes for a good, healthier homemade alternative!
- This sandwich is easily adaptable to various toppings. Try adding pickles, banana peppers, or pickled jalapeños!
- This recipe is easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd, or try making smaller slider versions, and you'll have the most popular appetizer at the party!
- Blackening chicken is a cooking technique that creates a perfect crisp crust on the outside while preserving the tender, juicy meat on the inside, making the most delicious chicken breast ever!
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Blackening Spice Mix - I prefer to make this Cajun spice mix from scratch because it is cheaper and easily adaptable to your taste.
- Buns - While brioche buns are the preferred bun to use for this sandwich, kaiser, ciabatta or regular hamburger buns work well too!
- Cheese - Any type of cheese will work on these blackened chicken sandwiches. I prefer to use a sharp white cheddar for some additional flavor but Havarti, provolone or Monterey Jack will all work too.
- Mayonnaise - The mayonnaise for the taco dressing can be substituted for plain Greek yogurt, for a healthier version, if you prefer!
A full ingredient list with the exact quantities can be found in the recipe card below.
Recipe Modifications & Substitutions
- Extra Spicy - this blackened chicken burger is very mild. If you would like to make it spicier, increase the cayenne to ¼ or ½ teaspoon. Also, you can add sriracha into the taco dressing for some extra zing.
- Not Spicy - to make this recipe without any spice at all, omit the cayenne from the spice blend and use plain mayonnaise.
- Make it with Fish - instead of using chicken, try using a halibut filet or some tiger shrimp to make this like a blackened shrimp po' boy sandwich! If making this with anything other than chicken, adjust the cooking time and ensure the protein is cooked through.
- Vegan - Instead of chicken, use a cauliflower steak or extra-firm tofu. Omit the cheese or use your favourite plant-based cheese. Double-check that your buns are vegan-friendly, and adjust the taco dressing to be made with vegan substitutes.
- Gluten-Free - Use gluten-free buns instead of brioche buns to make this gluten-free. While raw spices are naturally gluten-free, it is best to ensure that all of your spices don't have any gluten additives.
- Optional Toppings - Try adding pickles, banana peppers, pickled jalapenos, caramelized onions or bacon to this blackened chicken burger!
- More Sauce Options - For other sauce options, try my homemade 2-ingredient spicy mayo, easy buttermilk ranch dressing, sriracha aioli, or roasted garlic aioli.
How to Make Blackened Chicken Sandwiches
- In a small bowl, combine all of the spices for the blackening spice blend. To a small mixing bowl, add the chicken breast, oil and all of the spice blend. Mix well to completely coat the chicken breast and let marinade for 30 minutes - 6 hours.
- While your chicken is marinating, this is the perfect time to make the taco dressing. Cover and refrigerate this until you are ready to make the sandwiches.
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- Preheat a large cast iron skillet over high heat and add the chicken, pour any additional oil/spice mixture drippings over top. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown. Lower the heat and loosely cover the chicken with a piece of aluminum foil. Cook the chicken for 15-20 minutes, flipping once or twice until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
- Remove the aluminum foil, add the slices of cheddar cheese on top of the cooked blackened chicken breasts, recover the chicken with the foil and let cook for an additional minute until the cheese is melted. Remove the chicken breasts from the pan and set aside to rest for 5-10 minutes.
If the cheese is not melting, add a touch of water to the bottom of the skillet. This will create steam to melt the cheese.
- On both sides of the bun, spread a couple of tablespoons of the taco dressing.
- Add the shredded iceberg lettuce, blackened chicken breast, tomatoes and red onion. Top with the top bun and press gently.
- Serve these blackened chicken sandwiches with warm sweet potato fries, authentic poutine, homemade vegetable soup, or our super crispy oven-baked French fries!
How To Make In The Air Fryer
The blackened chicken breasts can be cooked in the air fryer, too!
Cooking the blackened chicken in the air fryer will not have the same level of crispy crust on the exterior, but all of the flavors will still be there.
Air fry the chicken breast at 375°F for about 20 minutes, or until the thickest part of the breast reads 165°F internally, flipping a few times during cooking. After the chicken is cooked thoroughly, turn off the air fryer, add the cheese on top and close it again, letting the chicken sit in the warm air fryer for 1-2 minutes until the cheese has melted.
Expert Tips
- Allowing the chicken to rest after cooking ensures a juicy interior. After the chicken is done cooking, remove it from the pan and set it aside on a wooden cutting board or plate to rest for 5-10 minutes.
- The secret is in the homemade Cajun spice blend. It is easily modified to your taste and cheaper than buying a pre-made spice blend.
- Blackened chicken thrives on marinating time. I recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of marinade time for the chicken, but up to 4-6 hours is preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
A blackened chicken sandwich is a smoky, charred chicken sandwich that is cooked to perfection with a crispy outside and a juicy inside. It is usually served on a brioche bun with a creamy salsa taco dressing spread.
Blackened chicken is crispier, charred and heavily spiced. It is cooked at a high heat to achieve a crispy exterior without tasting burnt. Grilled chicken is cooked over a more gentle heat, often with fewer spices.
Store the leftovers separately. Keep the blackened chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the vegetables and buns separately. To reheat the chicken breasts, microwave or heat in a frying pan until heated thoroughly.
Yes! They are very similar. To duplicate the Popeye's version as closely as possible, add pickles and cheese as the only toppings and use either the taco dressing or regular mayonnaise as the spread.
Yes, absolutely! The blackening spice we use is actually our Cajun spice blend. Use the spice in the same way that you would use any other spice blend. If you like this kind of spice blend, I highly recommend making my blackened shrimp taco bowls, too!
📖 Recipe
Blackened Chicken Sandwiches
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 4 Brioche or Hamburger Buns
- 4 large Chicken Breasts
- ¼ cup Vegetable Oil
Blackening Cajun Spice
- 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Thyme
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- Pinch Cayenne Pepper
Taco Dressing
- ¼ cup Sour Cream
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Salsa of choice
- ½ Tablespoon Lime Juice
- ½ Package (or 1 ½ Tablespoons) Ranch Powder optional
Toppings
- 4 slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup Iceburg Lettuce shredded
- 1 large Tomato sliced
- 1 small Red Onion sliced
Instructions
Blackening Cajun Spice
- In a small bowl add smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, thyme, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Mix until well combined.👉 Click here for our full Cajun Spice Blend recipe.
Blackened Chicken Breasts
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the chicken breast, oil, and all of the blackening spice. Using tongs, turn the chicken breasts over a few times to fully coat them in the spice & oil. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes - 6 hours to marinate.
- Heat a large cast iron skillet over high heat. Add the chicken breasts and all of the spice/oil mixture into the skillet, searing on both sides until golden brown.
- Lower the heat to medium, loosely tent the chicken breast with aluminum foil and cook the chicken breast until well done, flipping regularly for about 15-20 minutes. Or until the thickest part of the chicken breast reads 165℉ internally.
- Turn the heat to low and add the cheese on top of the chicken breasts. Recover the skillet loosely with aluminum foil and let the cheese melt for 1-2 minutes.
- Remove chicken breasts from the skillet and let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Taco Dressing
- In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, salsa, lime juice, and ranch powder (if using). Stir well to fully combine and set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.👉 See our full post on how to make Taco Salad Dressing for more information.
Assemble the Blackened Chicken Sandwiches
- Spread 3 tablespoons of taco dressing on both the top and bottom of the bun. Add one of the blackened chicken breasts, shredded lettuce, tomato, and red onions. Serve immediately.
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Notes
- Use about 3 Tablespoons of taco dressing for each burger.
- This sandwich recipe is very mild, to make it spicier increase the amount of cayenne in the spice blend and add sriracha to the taco dressing.
- The chicken can be cooked in the Air Fryer if desired. Cook at 375°F for 20 minutes or until the chicken is 165°F internally.
- Allow the blackened chicken to rest after cooking to enhance the juicy, tender meat.
- Use a high smoke point oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil or avocado oil.
- Marinate chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes, up to 6 hours before cooking the blackened chicken.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Ed says
Omg! These sandwiches are incredibly tasty!
Allison says
OMG this recipe is so good. My husband loves hamburgers, unfortunately I didn’t have any so I searched out this recipe. Even without having the time for marinating the chicken this recipe put me into a food coma. So good!!! I’ve recuperated now and need to leave a review. Next time marinating I’m sure it will be even more extraordinary. Thanks so much for your recipes.
Jessica says
Wow, thank you!
Jessica says
These blackened chicken sandwiches are one of the first things I learned how to cook when I was working in a pub kitchen. I've eaten more of these than I'd like to admit, and they are SO, SO good!!