Cajun Chicken

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.

These tender, juicy Cajun Chicken breasts are great for quick dinners or meal prep. Use store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning and pair with your favorite starch and vegetable for dinner in 15 minutes or less.

Cajun chicken in a skillet.


 

Cajun Seasoning is always a good idea. It’s excellent like this, on chicken breasts, but also on salmon, shrimp, French fries, roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, even in gravy. It has a great flavor that compliments all sorts of savory foods, and it’s easy to make with common pantry ingredients.

Cajun Chicken is my go-to recipe, though, because it’s the easiest, tastiest way to meal prep. I throw Cajun Chicken in salads and grain bowls or on a tortilla with lettuce and tomato for a quick wrap. In a world of boring chicken breasts, add this version to your menu. You’ll love it!

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for cajun chicken.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Chicken breast cutlets: To use chicken breasts instead of cutlets, butterfly chicken breasts completely in half to make cutlets.
  • Cajun seasoning: You can find this in jars at the supermarket, or to make Homemade Cajun Seasoning, inside a small bowl or a jar with a lid, add 1 tablespoon plus 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, ¾ teaspoon cayenne, ¾ teaspoon dried thyme, and ¾ teaspoon onion powder. Stir to combine (or close and shake the jar). Store any remaining Cajun seasoning in an airtight container.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Arrange chicken breast cutlets on a baking sheet or work surface and sprinkle both sides generously with Cajun seasoning.
Raw chicken with cajun seasoning on top.
  1. In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook, flipping once, until the temperature on an internal thermometer reaches 165 degrees, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove to a cutting board and slice or chop as desired.
Cajun chicken in a skillet.

Recipe tips and variations

A platter of Cajun chicken.

Recipe FAQs

How else can I use Cajun seasoning?

Try Cajun seasoning with any protein, such as shrimp, catfish, steak, pork, or salmon. Or use it to spice up corn on the cob, home fries, eggs, or steamed or roasted vegetables. You’ll also find Cajun seasoning on the ingredient for several popular New Orleans specialties, including gumbo, po-boys, étouffée, and jambalaya.

More quick chicken dinners

Join Us

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow along on FacebookPinterest, and Instagram for our latest recipes! Tag all your glorious creations #culinaryhill so we can eat vicariously through you.
Cajun chicken in a skillet.

Cajun Chicken

These tender, juicy Cajun Chicken breasts are great for quick dinners or meal prep. Use store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning and pair with your favorite starch and vegetable for dinner in 15 minutes or less.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Calories 201
5 from 4 votes

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Arrange chicken breast cutlets on a baking sheet or work surface and sprinkle both sides generously with Cajun seasoning.
  • In large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook, flipping once, until the temperature on an internal thermometer reaches 165 degrees, about 5 minutes on each side.
  • Remove to a cutting board and slice or chop as desired.

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Chicken breast cutlets: To use chicken breasts instead of cutlets, butterfly chicken breasts completely in half to make cutlets.
  2. Cajun seasoning: You can find this in jars at the supermarket, or to make Homemade Cajun Seasoning, inside a small bowl or a jar with a lid, add 1 tablespoon plus 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, ¾ teaspoon cayenne, ¾ teaspoon dried thyme, and ¾ teaspoon onion powder. Stir to combine (or close and shake the jar). Store any remaining Cajun seasoning in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cutletCalories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 25gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 134mgPotassium: 499mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1758IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
Website | + posts

Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

Quick & Easy Meals in Under 30 Minutes!
15 simple recipes for busy weeknights.

You May Also Like

Questions and Comments

Thank you for your comments! Please allow 1-2 business days for a reply. Our business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am PST to 5:00 pm PST, excluding holidays. Comments are moderated to prevent spam and profanity.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. For most folks a light seasoning is best with Cajun spice. It can be an overpowering taste if you use too much. Of course, that being said, I added more to my portion and a sprinkle of salt. Creating thin slices of chicken also works well to distribute the flavor and shorten cooking time. I served mine with long grain and wild rice and broccoli! Yum!