Pan-Seared Chicken with Hidden Smoky Paprika Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender pan-seared chicken breasts served with a deeply flavored smoky paprika sauce that surprises with its subtle heat and richness. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs skinless chicken breasts, smoked paprika, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 20 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika evenly on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken breasts. Sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through; internal temperature should reach 165°F. Remove chicken and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium, add 1 tbsp olive oil, then sauté 1 small finely chopped shallot and 3 minced garlic cloves for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, scraping the pan bottom to release browned bits. Simmer for 4 minutes until reduced by half.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and simmer gently for another 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken to the pan and spoon sauce over to rewarm for 1 minute. Sprinkle 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

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