Crispy Cajun Chicken
Great on a biscuit, terrific on a salad, awesome with a side of potatoes. Crispy Cajun Chicken is dipped in hot sauce, breaded with Panko and homemade cajun seasoning, and then pan seared for the best crunch in town!
In the south there are a few foods you can always find without fail: fried chicken, and biscuits. And also banana pudding, but we'll save that for another day. Today I want to focus on this Crispy Cajun Chicken - inspired by fried chicken, but not quite fried.
Tomorrow we will tackle the big fluffy biscuits.
Crispy Cajun Chicken on a big 'ol buttery biscuit is one of my other half's favorite things to eat. And maybe I'm just picky, or I'm a terrible southerner (both?), but I'm hard pressed to find any chicken and biscuits here where I live that are un-greasy enough for me to eat. They taste good, but then after all is said and done I feel like a gross greasebomb. And if we are being real here I'd actually rather save the calories for Sour Cream Fudge Cake.
So I set out to make this crispy chicken classic at home, lightening things up a little bit while packing in as much flavor as possible.
Good Crispy Cajun Chicken starts with a good cajun seasoning. You can definitely purchase your favorite pre-made cajun seasoning if you don't have a stocked spice cabinet. Buying a bunch of spices you don't have/regularly keep on hand can be really cost-prohibitive. But if you DO have a good variety of dry spices hanging around, make your own cajun seasoning. You'll be so glad you did.
This is also a great way to start tapping into that pretty spice rack you got as a housewarming gift and never knew what to do with. You know what I'm talking about.
This is all you need!!!
Toss it all together with some plain Panko breadcrumbs and you have awesommmmmme coating for chicken. Bonus! this seasoning mix + the breadcrumbs makes enough for two batches, so divide it before adding the chicken and save some for later.
[socialpug_tweet tweet="Homemade Cajun Seasoning + Panko makes great chicken! Save half this recipe for batch #2" display_tweet="Homemade Cajun Seasoning + Panko makes great chicken! Save half this recipe for batch #2" style="1"]
I opted not to really fry up this chicken. It's just sauteed in olive oil -- enough to make it crispy crunchy, but not enough to make it greasy.
It's pretty much my favorite.
I am loving this chicken on a salad. It's perfect on biscuits. I love it with a side of potato salad.
It would also be perfect on a lettuce wrap or with a side of quinoa.
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken cutlets (thinly sliced breasts)
- ¼ cup hot sauce of choice (I used Tabasco), plus more for dressing the finished chicken
- 3 tablespoons cajun seasoning (or 1 recipe Homemade Cajun Seasoning, shown below)
- 1½ cups plain Panko bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes OR cayenne pepper (see note)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Coat each piece of chicken with the hot sauce. I don't actually measure here, I just shake it onto both sides of the chicken.
- Mix together the cajun seasoning and Panko breadcrumbs until they are evenly combined *** I like to divide this mixture in half so that the saved portion doesn't touch the chicken and can be used another day. I only use the second half if I feel like I don't have enough breading ***
- Pour the breadcrumb/seasoning mixture into a shallow dish and evenly coat the chicken pieces on all sides. Gently shake off any excess.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.
- Add the breaded chicken to the hot skillet. Cook over medium high heat for about 4 minutes on the first side.
- Flip the chicken and cook for about 2 minutes on the second side. Cut a small slit in the fattest part of the chicken to check for doneness.
- Remove the chicken to a plate lined with a paper towel and let it rest for 1 - 2 minutes before serving/ slicing.
I tried this for the first time last night, and I'm so glad I did! So easy and delicious! Thank you for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed it, Lindsey!
This Was Actually A Little Too Spicy & I For 1 Love Spicy Food ! I Used The Cajun Seasoning & It Was Just Over Powering . I’ll Have To Try With Less Next Time .
Made this for hubby, he likes the crispy spicy chicken sandwich from Wendy’s so I bought big soft rolls from Safeway buttered & heated them in the oven to crispy soft and then I layered the crispy Cajun chicken on top sliced an avocado and Yum!!! Now that’s better than Wendy’s ? I’ll need to think of a sauce... I don’t like mayo
It won’t let me give 5 stars ??♀️
Thank you Vicki! I appreciate you!
Made this tonight! Great flavor.just wish more breadcrumbs stayed on.
I tried this tonight. My family loved it,
So glad to hear it Linda! Thanks so much!
How do u keep the bread crumbs from falling off as you sauté the cutlets? I made them and they were ok only because at least half the crumbs were left in the pan. If I can get them right they will be great
I am trying this today can you substitute panco with regular bread crumbs
Hi Theresa! You can! But they don't have the same crispy crunch as panko. Let us know how it works for you!
I love this chicken! Made it today , fried it a little extra crispy! So delicious ! I made two batches and I definitely recommend tobasco if you can stand th heat !!
Thanks so much Brittany! So glad you liked it!
Can this chicken be baked instead of pan fried?
Of course!
These look so delicious!!!!!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Thanks Kari!!
Ok, I am TOTALLY making this when we get snowed in this weekend! ... and I just adore that graphic with the spices! Pinned!
Thanks Justine!!! Enjoy!!
Love it, Heather! Particularly loved how you can use this recipe with salad, plain as an entree, or with chicken biscuits. 🙂
Thank you Teresa!! It's super easy and really really good! Hope you'll try it!