Pan-Seared Chicken with Spiced Tomato Sauce and Creamy Polenta

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

Tender chicken breasts seared to golden perfection, served with a spiced tomato sauce and smooth, creamy corn polenta. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 30 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 520 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

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

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts dry and season evenly with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, then remove and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes. Simmer the sauce over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan with a pinch of salt. Slowly whisk in 1 cup yellow cornmeal, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently until thick and creamy.
  5. Step 5: Remove polenta from heat and stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  6. Step 6: Serve the seared chicken breasts topped with the spiced tomato sauce alongside creamy polenta.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Spiced Tomato Sauce and Creamy Polenta take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Sauce and Creamy Polenta?

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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Spiced Tomato Sauce and Creamy Polenta?

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 Sauce and Creamy Polenta 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 Sauce and Creamy Polenta?

Mediterranean chicken 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.

Related recipes