Popeyes Blackened Chicken Tenders are full of flavor and great for adding protein to any recipe. This simple ingredient recipe is made in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a busy night or meal prep for the week.
Popeyes is a popular fast-food chain with a unique New Orleans-style menu full of delicious creole seasonings. They’re known for their delicious chicken tenders, sandwiches, and side dishes.
One of my family's favorites are their Blackened Chicken Tenders. They are a much healthier option than your regular fried chicken. These chicken tenders are low carb, low fat, and a great option if you want extra protein that is incredibly flavorful.
Ingredients for the Popeyes Blackened Chicken Recipe
For the Blackened Spice Blend:
Paprika: I use regular paprika, but you’re more than welcome to use smoked paprika to add to the smoky flavor of this recipe. Paprika gives these chicken strips a beautiful red color.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: brings a delicious pungent and savory flavor with a little bit of sweetness to your recipe.
Dried Herbs: both thyme and oregano are perfect to add to your blackened seasoning. Thyme adds a savory flavor while oregano adds an earthy flavor.
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: help enhance the flavor while the pepper adds a bit of a woodsy flavor. I recommend using freshly cracked black pepper.
For the Chicken:
Whole Chicken Breast: for this recipe, I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders. If you use chicken breasts, be sure to cut them into even strips for the best results.
Vegetable Oil: is used for cooking your chicken in the skillet. You can also use canola oil.
How to Make this Popeyes Blackened Chicken Recipe
- In a small bowl, combine all the seasonings listed above to create your blackened chicken seasoning mix. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spiciness.
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until it’s very hot. Feel free to turn on the overhead fan as well since blackening chicken will create some smoke.
- Place the strips of chicken in a bowl and pour over the seasoning mix, stir to coat each piece evenly.
- Pour the oil into the skillet and allow it to heat up before placing the chicken strips into the hot skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature is at 165F and the chicken is cooked through. The outside should be dark and charred, which is characteristic of blackened chicken.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes then serve alongside a salad, homemade ranch, or in a sandwich!
Why You’ll Love This Popeyes Blackened Chicken Recipe
Versatile: Maybe you want a little more spice? You can create a spicy version by adding some red pepper flakes, chili powder, or cayenne pepper. Not a fan of paprika? Try switching it out for smoked paprika! You can change up the seasonings to your liking.
Easy to Make: These blackened chicken tenders only require a few ingredients and take less than 30 minutes to make. They’re great for a quick weeknight dinner.
Great for Meal Prep: This recipe is a great option for your weekly meal prep. You can use it as your protein option in a salad or tacos. You can add a veggie, like green beans, and a grain for the perfect lunchtime meal.
Popeyes Blackened Chicken Tender Variations
Switch To Fish: You can easily recreate this recipe and use fish instead. I recommend using tilapia or shrimp but you can use your favorite fish!
Spice It Up: Add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to your seasoning. You can also dip your blackened tenders into buffalo sauce.
Change The Chicken: Try using chicken thighs instead. You can cook them whole or cut them into slices.
Pro Tips:
Try Your Seasoning: Taste your seasoning before you put it all over your chicken. You can change this recipe based on your personal preference. You don't want to accidentally add a seasoning mix that is too salty to your chicken.
Don’t Overcook: Be sure to check the internal temperature frequently so that you don’t overcook your chicken. Your thermometer should read 165 degrees F.
Small Batches: Don’t overlap your chicken in the skillet. If you do, it will result in unevenly cooked chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
What is Blackened Seasoning?
Blackened seasoning is a mixture of herbs and spices that create a smoky and spicy flavor. It goes well on chicken, fish, or shrimp.
Blackened Seasoning vs. Cajun Seasoning
The easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that cajun seasoning mainly consists of cayenne pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Blackened seasoning has dried herbs, paprika, and a few other seasonings.
Can I Cook My Chicken a Different Way?
Yes! You can cook them in the oven or in the air fryer.
For the air fryer: preheat your fryer to 380 degrees F. Then cook for 12 minutes, flipping at the six minute mark. Be sure to spray your basket before cooking so your chicken does not stick.
For the oven: preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check the internal temperature before taking them out of the oven. They should be at 165 degrees F to be fully cooked.
What Do I Serve with My Popeyes Blackened Chicken?
One thing I love about this recipe is that it is so easily interchangeable. You can serve it as a protein in a salad or with a side dish for a whole dinner.
I like to serve mine with a veggie, and a carb, like rice or potatoes. I always put a little cup of ranch or honey mustard on the side as a dip!
How Do I Store Leftover Blackened Chicken Tenders?
Fridge: Place your room-temperature blackened chicken tenders into an airtight container or Ziploc. They will keep in the fridge for around three or four days.
Freezer: First, let them cool completely. Then, place them in an airtight container for up to six months. The best way to thaw is to place them in the fridge the night before.
How Do I Reheat My Leftovers?
Stove: Place oil or butter into a skillet and turn on to medium heat. Then, place your chicken tenders in the skillet for about 2 minutes on each side. Don’t forget to flip or your chicken might burn.
Oven: First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lay your chicken tenders out on a baking sheet. Toss the baking sheet in the oven for about twelve minutes, flipping halfway through.
Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F. Spray your basket so your chicken does not stick. Then, place them in the air fryer for about six minutes, flipping halfway through.
The Best Popeyes Blackened Chicken Recipe Copycat
Popeyes blackened chicken recipe
Ingredients
Spices
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to your preferred spice level
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Chicken
- 1 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced into strips
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil for cooking
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all the seasonings listed above to create your blackened chicken seasoning mix. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spiciness.1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 & 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt
- Preheat a cast-iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until it's very hot. Feel free to turn on the overhead fan as well since blackening chicken will create some smoke.
- Place the strips of chicken in a bowl and pour over the seasoning mix, stir to coat each piece evenly.1 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Pour the oil into the skillet and allow it to heat up before placing the chicken strips into the hot skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature is at 165F and the chicken is cooked through. The outside should be dark and charred, which is characteristic of blackened chicken.3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes then serve alongside a salad, homemade ranch, or in a sandwich!
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