Pan-Seared Chicken with Spiced Tomato-Garlic Sauce

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

Juicy chicken breasts pan-seared and finished with a rich, spiced tomato and garlic sauce that balances savory and slightly tangy flavors. This Mediterranean-inspired no-cook recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken breasts, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 20 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken breasts in the skillet and sear for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then remove and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and simmer gently for 8 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, then return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over it for 2 minutes to combine flavors before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Spiced Tomato-Garlic Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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-Garlic Sauce?

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-Garlic Sauce?

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-Garlic Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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-Garlic Sauce?

Mediterranean no cook 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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