Aria Brent shares her Blackened Chicken Sliders recipe

Aria Brent
Variety Editor

For your next gathering or even if you’re just looking to try something new, make these Blackened Chicken Sliders. This recipe uses chicken thighs so the meat is guaranteed to be nice and juicy. In addition to this, the blackened seasoning will add a tasty and slightly spicy flavor profile to the sandwiches. This recipe has savory, Greek inspired flavors and would go great with garlic fries, 

You can alter the blackened seasoning recipe to be as spicy or mild as you desire but if you like it hot this sandwich is topped with a spicy and tangy red pepper relish aioli. These flavors are all married together with a creamy feta spread and shredded iceberg lettuce. Make this recipe your own a by adding your favorite sandwich toppings such as pickles or tomato.  

Serving : 2 sliders
6 servings per recipe 

Ingredients 

Blackened seasoning 

• 2 TBSP smoked paprika
• 1 ½ TBSP cayenne powder
• 1 ½ TBSP onion powder
• 2 TSP garlic powder
• 2 TSP ground black pepper
• 2 TSP sea salt
• ½ TSP dried basil
• ½ TSP dried oregano
• ½ TSP dried thyme

Red Pepper Relish Aioli 

• 12oz of Hot Red Peppers
• 1 small onion 
• Kosher Salt 
• 1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar 
• 2 TBSP Sugar 
• 1 ½ cup of Mayo 
• 1 TBSP Lemon Juice 
• 2 TBSP Minced Garlic 

Feta Spread 

• 1 ½  cups Feta Cheese 
• 1 cup Greek Yogurt 
• 3 Garlic Cloves 
• 1 TBSP Olive Oil 
• Kosher Salt 
• Fresh Cracked Black Pepper 

2LBS Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs 

Instructions: 

Take the seeds and stems out of your peppers and quarter your onion.Combine these in a food processor along with two tablespoons of salt .Pulse the mixture until it’s finely chopped. After this, then allow the mixture to strain for 30 minutes. If need be, run tit under cold water  to remove any additional salt. Then add your apple cider vinegar and sugar to a small pot and bring them to a boil. Stir the mixture until all the sugar has dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the liquid from the heat and add in the pepper mixture. Store the mixture in a jar with a resealable lid. For the best taste make this relish at least 3 days in advance to using it for the aioli 

Start by combining all of the listed seasonings for your blackened seasoning. This seasoning blend can be multiplied and made in a larger amount for us win other recipes as well. Once having combined all of your seasonings, drizzle your boneless skinless chicken thighs in a little bit of olive oil and liberally season your chicken thighs. When using blackened seasoning you want the seasoning to cover your ingredients so that when cooked it has a black exterior. This often times leaves people thinking their dish is burnt but it isn’t. 

Set you seasoned chicken aside to marinate. As your chicken is marinating, begin on your red pepper relish aioli. 

Mix one cup of the red pepper relish along with the mayo, lemon juice and minced garlic. If the mixture is too loose, add more mayo until its a smooth texture. Set this mixture aside. After making your aioli begin to cook your chicken thighs. 

Add your chicken thighs to a large pan set to a medium heat  and let them cook for about eight minutes on each side. Usually, 2lbs of chicken thighs equates to about 8-10 in total but it depends on how big the thighs are and where you got them from. Nonetheless, don’t overcrowd the pan. I typically cook my thighs in batches of no more than five. As the chicken thighs cook, create your feta spread. 

Combine all listed ingredients besides the salt and pepper into a food processor until it reaches a smooth texture. Taste the mixture and then add salt and pepper for taste as you see fit. After the first eight minutes have passed, flip your chicken and cook them for an additional eight minutes on the other side. 

Once your chicken is done its time to assemble your sliders. I like to use Hawaiian rolls but you can use whatever kind of sliders bun you like best. This recipe is great on mini brioche buns as well. 

On the bottom half of the bun add your feta spread. On top of that add a layer of shredded iceberg lettuce. This can be substituted for any other green you’d like such as arugula or spinach. On top of your lettuce dd your cooked chicken thighs. Then add the red pepper relish aioli to your top bun. Cut your buns into individual sliders and enjoy!