A bevy of seasonings lifts a basic chicken breast from boring to impressive, even for a weeknight dinner.

We carefully crafted the blackened seasoning for the chicken to be not too spicy but still very well balanced.

With ground thyme and ground oregano, you get great aromatic flavors.

Southern Living Blackened Chicken prepared on a plate to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

The seasoning mix also coats the chicken well, which results in even browningand blackeningonce cooked.

There’s one other really brilliant step you won’t want to skip: the brine.

Soaking the chicken (even briefly) in baking soda and water helps the protein retain moisture.

Southern Living Blackened Chicken ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

What Does It Mean To Blacken Chicken?

Blackening chicken does not mean you will burn or char it.

Anyone who serves you burned food and calls it blackened, well, bless their hearts.

Southern Living Blackened Chicken whisking together the water and baking soda

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

No need to seek out special spices.

This seasoning would also be great with other proteinsfish, shrimp, scallops, and more.

It’s that effortless.

Southern Living Blackened Chicken pounding the chicken breasts flat

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Here’s a brief outline of the process; the full recipe is further below.

Baking Soda Brine

Brining in baking soda is a great way tomake meat tender.

How To Store Blackened Chicken

Let chicken cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container.

Southern Living Blackened Chicken letting the chicken stand in the water mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheat in the microwave on reduced power to warm through.

you’re able to also freeze blackened chicken.

Southern Living Blackened Chicken whisking together the spice mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Once cooled, move it in a freezer-safe container, and store up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Whisk together water and baking soda until dissolved in a large bowl; set aside.

Southern Living Blackened Chicken covering the chicken with the spice mixture

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Brine chicken breasts:

Add chicken to baking soda mixture.

Let stand in refrigerator, uncovered, 15 minutes.

Dry and season chicken:

Remove chicken from baking soda mixture; rinse and pat dry.

Southern Living Blackened Chicken cooked chicken in the skillet

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over both sides of chicken, pressing lightly to adhere.

Cook chicken:

Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high until shimmering.

(Before flipping, chicken should be evenly browned on one side and easily lifted from skillet.

Southern Living Blackened Chicken on a plate to serve garnished with parsley

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Garnish with parsley; serve warm.