Easy Cajun Chicken (Low Carb & Gluten Free)

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So, these photos are about a year old.  I never used them because I felt strangely guilty about posting this recipe.  It’s just so EASY that it felt like a cop out – like people would be saying “well DUH!” after reading it.  But you know what?  I love this chicken recipe!  I make it all the time, and have eaten it cold, right out of the fridge, more times than I can count.  So simple or not, I’m going to share it with you.  And let’s face it, we all need more easy low carb recipes, that don’t require a lot of thought or effort, in our repertoire.

Though I am usually a stickler about making things from scratch, here’s a confession:  I rarely make my own Cajun seasoning blend (though I have, and I am including a recipe).  I usually just buy whatever brand I can find at the grocery store and throw it on, which makes this recipe even easier!  But if it makes you feel more authentic, by all means use the recipe to make your own Cajun spice blend – it’s delicious either way!

The crucial element to this chicken recipe is the crispy skin.  People who think that they don’t like baked chicken aren’t cooking it long enough.  You have to allow time for the fat to render out of the skin, so it will get thin and crispy.  When you bake thighs or legs (or even wings as shown above from my classic buffalo wings recipe) you don’t need to worry about the meat drying out, because the meat has a high fat content already, and will stay tender as the fat from the skin melts into it.  (I just drooled a little, sorry.)  If you are using boneless, skinless chicken breasts however, you may want to saute rather than bake, because they WILL dry out if cooked too long.

Easy Cajun Chicken (Low Carb & Gluten Free)

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

An easy, delicious low carb recipe for Cajun chicken that the whole family will love!

• Yield: Approximately 6 - 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 lbs chicken parts (legs or thighs are best)
• 2 Tbl olive oil
• 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• Ranch dressing for serving (optional)

For the Cajun Seasoning Blend (if making)

• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 Tbl garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme

Instructions

1. Rub the chicken with olive oil. Add Cajun seasoning and toss until chicken is fully coated. Spread the chicken out on cookie sheets with at least an inch between pieces. Bake in the center of a preheated 400 degree (F) oven for about 50 minutes (40 minutes for wings). The skin should be golden and crispy, and the juices should run clear.

Notes

Approx nutrition info per serving (2pcs.): 495 calories, 26g fat, 0 net carbs, 60g protein

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2 legs or thighs

Delicious alone, these are made even more delectable by dipping them into ranch dressing!

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Love this recipe? Shout it from the rooftops!