Quick Spicy 20-Minute Cajun Chicken
A quick and easy Cajun chicken recipe with bold, smoky, and spicy flavors, ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning blend (store-bought or homemade mix of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts into thin cutlets, about ½ inch thick.
- In a bowl, toss the chicken slices with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, a pinch of salt and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat until hot but not smoking.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the hot pan in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes without moving to form a crust.
- Flip the chicken and cook another 3 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Reduce heat to medium, add minced garlic and 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Stir and baste chicken with melted butter and garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Remove pan from heat, squeeze 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice over the chicken, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and toss gently.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Notes
If chicken browns too fast before cooking through, lower heat and cover pan loosely for 1-2 minutes to keep chicken tender. For dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil. Cook chicken in batches if pan is small to avoid overcrowding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of the prepared
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 38
Keywords: Cajun chicken, spicy chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, 20-minute meal, weeknight dinner, Cajun seasoning