Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic and Paprika Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared and finished with a rich garlic-paprika butter sauce for a flavorful, simple dinner. This American-inspired no-cook recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp paprika, pressing gently to adhere the spices.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes without moving until the underside is golden brown and releases easily.
  4. Step 4: Flip the chicken and cook for another 4-5 minutes until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to medium-low, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Spoon the melted butter and garlic over the chicken continuously for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the butter slightly browns.
  6. Step 6: Remove chicken to a plate, drizzle the garlic-paprika butter from the pan over top, and garnish with 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic and Paprika Butter take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic and Paprika Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic and Paprika Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic and Paprika Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic and Paprika Butter?

American no cook like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes