Pan-Seared Chicken with Roasted 26-Spice Blend

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-21 · Updated 2026-05-21

Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts seasoned with a unique 26-ingredient spice blend inspired by the number 26, roasted to deepen the flavors and served with a fresh herb garnish. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, 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 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) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground mustard seed
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp ground fennel seeds

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp coriander seeds (ground), 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp dried rosemary, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp ground white pepper, 1/4 tsp ground mustard seed, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp ground fennel seeds, 1/4 tsp ground fenugreek, 1/8 tsp ground cardamom, 1/8 tsp ground star anise, 1/4 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp onion powder to create the 26-spice blend.
2. Step 2: Rub 3 tbsp olive oil evenly over the 4 chicken breasts, then generously coat each with the prepared 26-spice blend on all sides.
3. Step 3: Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spiced chicken breasts and sear for 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
4. Step 4: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast the chicken for 12-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
5. Step 5: Remove chicken from oven, let rest 5 minutes, then sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving.