Blackened Chicken

What a fantastic recipe! To quote the cookbook, "This spicy standout packs a one-two punch of flavor." Agreed!

I've mentioned before how much I love cooking on the grill. You just can't beat the smell of charcoal burning and the wonderful flavor food can only get from coming off a grill! This chicken was no exception! It was so juicy and flavorful. The combination of spices sprinkled over the chicken was delicious! You probably won't have to spend much money on this dinner, because the majority of the ingredients are spices that you most likely already have in your kitchen.

I was a little skeptical at first about the white sauce pairing with the spicy chicken, but it was perfect! The cool sauce was a nice contrast to the spicy flavors and paired wonderful together. I just made some brown rice to go with the chicken. Overall, a flavorful, healthy meal! I will definitely keep this one in mind next time I want a tasty, easy-to-fix dinner on the grill!

Blackened Chicken
Taste of Home: Backyard Grilling
Published by Reiman Media Group, Inc. in 2006.

Yield: 4 servings

1 tablespoon paprika
4 teaspoons sugar, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1-1/2 to 2 teaspoons pepper, divided
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1-1/3 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1. In a small bowl, combine paprika, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, thyme, lemon-pepper, cayenne and 1/2 to 1 teaspoon pepper; sprinkle over both sides of chicken. Set aside. In another bowl, combine mayonnaise, water, vinegar and remaining sugar, salt and pepper; cover and chill 1 cup for serving. Save remaining sauce for basting.
2. Grill chicken, covered, over indirect medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear, basting frequently with remaining sauce. Serve with reserved sauce.