Name: Oven-Baked Cajun Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: Avocado oil spray; 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (8 ounces each); 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 2 teaspoons paprika; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Jump to Recipe

This Cajun chicken is coated in a delicious rub and baked in a hot oven until perfectly juicy. Bold seasoning is the perfect way to turn chicken into a delightfully flavorful dish everyone enjoys!

Four Cajun chicken breasts are served in a white baking dish, topped with parsley.

When I want to upgrade this simple baked chicken breast, I make this incredibly juicy and flavorful Cajun chicken recipe. It's an easy recipe that takes just 40 minutes, pairs with many different side dishes, and even the leftovers are great, cold or reheated - I often use them when making a Cobb salad.

Ingredients and Variations

The ingredients needed to make Cajun chicken.

See the recipe card for exact measurements. Here are my comments on some of the ingredients.

Avocado oil spray: This oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it an ideal cooking oil.
Chicken breasts: Try to find ones that aren't too big - 8 ounces per piece is perfect. Cooking bigger ones in a hot oven is a bit more challenging, although it can be done, as I explain below. You can use boneless chicken thighs, but they'll be ready faster, so start checking with a thermometer after 15 minutes.
Cajun seasoning: Homemade or store-bought. If using store-bought, check the ingredient list to make sure no sugar was added.

Instructions

The detailed instructions and step-by-step photos are included in the recipe card. Here's a quick overview.

Use a fork to mix the Cajun seasoning ingredients in a small bowl. Rub the seasoning into the chicken on both sides.

Seasoning chicken breasts with Cajun spices.

Place the coated chicken pieces in a greased baking dish. Spray their tops with oil. Be generous with the oil - it protects the chicken from drying and the herbs from burning in the hot oven.

Two Cajun-spiced chicken breasts in a baking dish, before baking.

Bake the chicken in a preheated 450°F oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part, 20-30 minutes. Check the chicken after the first 20 minutes. If the tops are becoming too dark, cover them loosely with foil. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Sliced Cajun chicken on a cutting board.

This is DELICIOUS! Just the right amount of heat and the chicken is tender and juicy!!
Dawn
Read more comments

Recipe Tips

If your chicken breasts are larger than 8 ounces each, you'll need to bake them for up to 30 minutes instead of just 20 minutes. If that is the case, loosely cover them with foil after the first 20 minutes. This will prevent the tops from scorching in the hot oven. Cajun spices are delicious, but they burn easily.
You can make this dish as mild or spicy as you like by reducing or increasing the cayenne pepper. I typically use ¼ teaspoon. Reduce it to just a pinch (⅛ teaspoon) for a milder flavor. Increase to ½ teaspoon for a truly spicy dish.

Serving Suggestions

Cajun chicken is a versatile main course that pairs well with countless side dishes. But since I bake the chicken in a 450°F oven, I like to serve it with a side I can cook in the same oven, such as:

Storing and Using the Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat them, covered, in the microwave at 50% power, or eat them cold! I like to make a lunch plate of cold sliced chicken, fresh-cut veggies, and quick pickles.

I also like using them in this chicken Cobb salad, as shown in the image below. The advantage of enjoying the leftovers cold is that you don't risk drying the chicken when you reheat it.