Pan-Seared Chicken with Spicy Carb-Dumping Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A flavorful pan-seared chicken dish inspired by a carb dumping fuel overflow concept, featuring a spicy, tangy sauce that balances richness with brightness. This asian-inspired new year ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, red chili flakes 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.

★ 4.2 (14 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken breasts into the skillet and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes to the skillet, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1/4 cup water with 1 tsp cornstarch until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet, stirring constantly. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken breasts to the skillet and spoon sauce over them, cooking for an additional 1 minute to meld flavors.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving warm with steamed rice or vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Spicy Carb-Dumping 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 Spicy Carb-Dumping 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Spicy Carb-Dumping 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 Spicy Carb-Dumping Sauce 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 Spicy Carb-Dumping Sauce?

Asian 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes