Pan-Seared Chicken with Rajpura Spiced Tomato Gravy
Tender pan-seared chicken breasts simmered in a fragrant tomato gravy inspired by Punjabi spices from Rajpura. This indian-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breasts, olive oil, medium, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp ginger paste
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- to taste salt
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 chicken breasts (6 oz each). Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 medium finely chopped onion. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp ginger paste, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 cup tomato puree, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp red chili powder, and salt to taste. Cook for 4 minutes until oil begins to separate and spices are aromatic.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup water and simmer the sauce for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, coating them in the gravy. Simmer together for 3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 5: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving hot with rice or flatbread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Rajpura Spiced Tomato Gravy take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Rajpura Spiced Tomato Gravy?
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 (6 oz each) chicken breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Rajpura Spiced Tomato Gravy?
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 Rajpura Spiced Tomato Gravy for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Rajpura Spiced Tomato Gravy?
Indian chicken 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.
