Here you can make the Best Cajun Grilled Chicken in your own kitchen in very easy steps, the complete recipe of which is given below step by step. If you are a beginner, then through this you will be able to make a very tasty and excellent Cajun Grilled Chicken and for the experienced people, some information can be obtained.
Step by step recipe To make the “Best Cajun Grilled Chicken Recipe” Spicy Perfection Smokin’ Way–
If you too like to eat bold and flavorful chicken dishes. Which is great for backyard cookouts or weeknight dinners or summer BBQ. And there is no better option than Cajun Grilled Chicken.
Because this dish is perfect for parties, sharing with friends or to make and feed family at home, this dish is very juicy chicken wrapped in a fun and spicy homemade Cajun seasoning and grilled to perfection, by doing this, there is a very deep southern flavor.
In this article, you will learn how to make the best Cajun grilled chicken recipe at home. Whether you are a grill master or not, this very easy recipe will prove to be very helpful in making restaurant quality food in your backyard and believe me, you will be able to make it in a delicious way even better than the restaurant.
Table of Contents
Reasons to love Cajun grilled chicken:
- It is very bold and full of cheesy heaven
- It is ready in very little time, about 30 minutes.
- Crispy crust, spicy yet juicy
- It is gluten free, low carb and keto friendly.
- Great for bowl or meal prep, salads, barbeque, sandwiches
Ingredients: Best Cajun Grilled Chicken
Here are all the necessary ingredients and equipment that you can go through to make the best grilled chicken:
- Equipment required:
- Tongs
- Grill pan or grill
- Meat thermometer for even cooking
Mixing bowl
Shallow container or plastic bag for marinating
Chicken: Homemade Cajun Seasoning
Thighs or skinless chicken breasts, use 4 boneless for juicier results
- Dried thyme 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper 1 teaspoon
- Dried celery 1 teaspoon
- Garlic powder 1 teaspoon
- Onion powder 1 teaspoon
- Smoked paprika 2 teaspoons
- Cayenne pepper (adjust to taste) 1 teaspoon
- Salt 1 teaspoon
- Optional: White pepper 1/2 teaspoon
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon for extra seasoning
Ingredients: For the marinade base
- Olive oil 2 tablespoons
- Save cider vinegar 2 tablespoons or lemon juice 1 tablespoon
- Optional: For depth Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp
Best Cajun Grilled Chicken Step-by-Step Recipe
To prepare the chicken:
Prepare the chicken first –
- Use paper towels to pat the chicken breasts dry.
- If the chicken pieces are too thick, butterfly them or use a meat mallet to gently pound them all to a uniform thickness of about ¾ inch.
- This prevents dryness and ensures that all the pieces cook evenly.
Optional Salted Water:
- For juicier chicken, soak the breasts in 1/4 cup water for 30 to 35 minutes. Then rinse well and pat dry before applying the seasoning.
2. Mix the Cajun Seasoning:
First, take a small bowl and add all the Cajun seasoning and mix well.
- Garlic Powder 1 tsp
- Onion Powder 1 tsp
- Dried Celery 1 tsp
- Dried Thyme 1 tsp
- Paprika 2 tsp
- Cayenne pepper 1 tsp
- Black pepper 1 tsp
- Salt 1 tsp
- Optional: Red Pepper Flakes 1/2 tsp + White Pepper 1/2 tsp
The best homemade Cajun grilled chicken is smoky and thick with just the right amount of seasoning. Known for its great flavor.
3. Making the marinade:
To make the marinade, take the following ingredients in a zip top bag or a large bowl and mix them together-
- Olive oil 2 tbsp.
- Safe cider vinegar 2 tbsp or lemon juice 1 tbsp.
- (Optional use Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp.)
- Add the prepared Cajun seasoning mix.
- Mix well to form a thick and red colored paste.
4. Marinating the chicken:
Marinating is very important to make the best Cajun grilled chicken- Now add the chicken breasts to the marinade to coat them well. And check using tongs or with your hands or gloves if needed to make sure that all the surfaces are covered with the seasoning.
Marinating time:
For deep flavor: Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.
For a quick marinade: let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes
For more flavor: let marinate overnight.
If you need to marinate longer than 30 minutes, cover the bowl tightly. Or seal the bag, then refrigerate.
5. Preheat the grill:
For even cooking, remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before grilling and let it sit at room temperature.
Preheat the grill to 400° to 450° F over high–medium heat. If using charcoal, allow the coals to get white hot, then spread them out evenly.
For a gas grill, preheat the burners to high and reduce to high-medium heat before cooking.
To prevent sticking, use a paper towel dipped in vegetable oil and held with tongs to apply oil to the grates.
6. Grilling the Cajun Chicken:
Place the chicken on the hot grill and cook for 5 to 6 minutes without moving it.
Turn the chicken around depending on thickness and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part to check for doneness and an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Rotate the chicken every 45° halfway through cooking time for even charring and grill marks on all sides.
IMPORTANT: To make the best Cajun grilled chicken, do not press down on the chicken while grilling as pressing will release the juices.
Resting
When done, place the best Cajun grilled chicken on a cutting board or plate and cover with a filet. Let rest for 8 to 10 minutes to allow the juices to distribute, ensuring juicy, tender meat.
Serving Tips
Cajun Grilled Chicken is very versatile. Here are some serving ideas:
For Main Dishes:
Serve with dirty rice, Cajun rice or corn bread.
Serve with corn on the cob, coleslaw or grilled wedges.
For Healthy Side Dish:
Slice first, then add to a salad with cherry tomatoes, avocado and ranch or lime vinaigrette. This creates a very quick and delicious flavor.
In Wraps or Tacos:
Slice first, then fill soft tortillas with cabbage slices, sour cream and salsa.
In Meal Prep:
Cook a bowl of rice, then top with corn, black beans and guacamole.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Wrap tightly before freezing and refrigerate for up to 2 to 3 months.
Freeze: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Reheating: Microwave on medium heat or reheat in a pan over low heat if you want to avoid drying out. And the best Cajun grilled chicken is a great and perfect way to make dinner or lunch during the week.
Additional Tips: – For Cajun Grilled Chicken
Spice control: Reduce the cayenne and red pepper flakes when you like it mildly spicy or increase it for a Louisiana kick.
Butter is best for more flavor – Brush melted garlic butter on chicken during the last 2 minutes of grilling to bring out the most flavor.
Using Smoke:
Using a charcoal grill or adding a piece of mesquite or hikari wood to get the smoke flavor is known to have a great flavor and believe me it tastes amazing.
Use Thighs for Juicy Meat:
Use thighs with skin on and bone in for the most flavor as they contain more fat. Then grill in the same way and cook for 2 minutes longer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cajun Grilled Chicken:
Can you bake instead of grilling?
Yes you can! Preheat oven to 450°F. Then bake the marinated chicken on a foil lined sheet for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once in between so that both sides are baked evenly.
Is Cajun seasoning spicy?
The spice level is 50% and you can adjust the spiciness by adding more or less chili flakes.
Can I use store bought Cajun seasoning?
Yes, you can but since it is homemade, there will be some variation in salt and flavor.
Nutrition per chicken breast: – Varies based on size, ingredients
30 g – protein
250 g – calories
1 g – carbs
0.5 g – fiber
14 g – fat
0 g – sugar
Final Thoughts
The Best Cajun Grilled Chicken is juicy, smoky, bold, and full of flavor that transports your taste buds straight to the heart of Louisiana.
It’s so easy to make at home and tastes so much better than the store bought.
Whether you’re meal prepping for weeknights, heating up the grill for a summer barbeque, or just craving a spicy protein, this is a recipe you should definitely try.
Believe it or not, homemade Cajun grilled chicken with a simple marinade and hot grills is sure to give you the perfect sear and mouthwatering chicken flavor every step of the way.