Pan-Seared Chicken with Spiced San Antonio BBQ Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-28 · Updated 2026-07-28

Tender pan-seared chicken breasts coated with a smoky, sweet, and mildly spicy barbecue glaze inspired by San Antonio flavors. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, smoked paprika 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
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp hot sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this chicken with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp onion powder.
2. 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 per side until deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Step 3: While chicken cooks, combine 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tsp hot sauce in a small bowl, whisking until smooth.
4. Step 4: During the last 2 minutes of cooking, brush each chicken breast generously with the barbecue glaze, allowing it to caramelize and thicken on the surface.
5. Step 5: Remove chicken from skillet, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve drizzled with any remaining glaze.