Cajun Spiced Grilled Chicken (Printable)
Juicy chicken thighs with Cajun spice blend, grilled to smoky perfection with Southern flair.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2.5 lbs)
→ Cajun Spice Mix
02 - 2 tbsp smoked paprika
03 - 1 tbsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tbsp onion powder
05 - 1 tsp dried oregano
06 - 1 tsp dried thyme
07 - 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
08 - 1 tsp ground black pepper
09 - 1 tsp kosher salt
→ Marinade
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - Juice of 1 lemon
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and kosher salt in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
02 - Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the spice mixture adhere properly and promotes better grill marks.
03 - Place chicken in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then sprinkle with the Cajun spice mixture. Toss until each piece is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
04 - Heat grill to medium-high temperature, approximately 400°F. Clean grates and lightly oil if needed to prevent sticking.
05 - Place marinated thighs on the preheated grill. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, developing a nice char and ensuring the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
06 - Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each bite remains tender and moist.
# Tips from dashanddishes:
01 -
- The homemade spice blend beats anything from a store bought jar
- Chicken thighs stay incredibly juicy even with high heat grilling
- Ready in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
02 -
- Dry chicken thighs hold onto seasoning better than wet ones so pat them thoroughly
- Letting the meat rest after grilling is the difference between juicy and dry chicken
03 -
- Double the spice blend and store the extra in a jar for next time
- Soak wood chips in water for 30 minutes and add them to the grill for extra smoke