Pan-Seared Chicken with Spiced Tomato and Onion Reduction

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared and finished with a rich, spiced tomato and caramelized onion reduction sauce. This mediterranean-inspired new year ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, yellow 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, then remove and keep warm.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 1 tbsp olive oil, then add 1 medium thinly sliced yellow onion and sauté for 8 minutes until translucent and starting to caramelize.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp ground cumin to the onions and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes and 1/4 cup water, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Simmer the sauce for 6-8 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken breasts to the pan and spoon the sauce over them to warm through for 2 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Spiced Tomato and Onion Reduction take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Spiced Tomato and Onion Reduction?

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 chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Spiced Tomato and Onion Reduction?

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 Spiced Tomato and Onion Reduction 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 Spiced Tomato and Onion Reduction?

Mediterranean new year 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.

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