Pan-Seared Chicken with Smoky Jazz Spice Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-12 · Updated 2026-06-12

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.

This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless 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 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Know when the chicken is done: thermometers under $100 → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

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

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the jazz spice rub.
Step 2: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each), then evenly coat both sides with the spice rub.
Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
Step 4: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and sear for 5-6 minutes on one side until golden brown and edges are crispy.
Step 5: Flip the chicken and add 1 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves to the pan. Continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes, spooning the melted butter over the chicken to baste it, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 6: Remove chicken from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.