Pan-Seared Chicken with Smoky Chili and Lime Street-Style Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-28 · Updated 2026-04-28

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 drafted and published.

Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts served with a vibrant smoky chili and lime sauce inspired by bustling street food flavors. This Latin American-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, smoked paprika, ground cumin 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 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breasts
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
3, minced garlic cloves
1/2 tsp red chili flakes
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
Step 3: Remove chicken from pan and keep warm. Lower heat to medium and add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes to the pan. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1 tbsp honey; cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pan.
Step 5: Return chicken to pan and spoon the sauce over the breasts. Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro on top before serving.