Pan-Seared Chicken with Spicy Southern-Style Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-27 · Updated 2026-07-27

Juicy pan-seared chicken breasts coated with a smoky, spicy Southern-inspired dry rub that brings bold flavors to your dinner table. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, paprika, cayenne pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the Southern-style spice rub.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and evenly coat both sides with the spice rub.
3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the outside is nicely charred and fragrant.
5. Step 5: Remove the chicken from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain juices.