Pan-Seared Chicken with Twelve-Spice Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

A flavorful pan-seared chicken breast seasoned with a unique blend of twelve spices, delivering a warm and aromatic profile. This Middle Eastern-inspired New Year's recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs chicken breast, olive oil, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Ingredients

• 2 pieces (6 oz each) chicken breast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground paprika
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground paprika, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/8 tsp ground cloves, 1/4 tsp ground cardamom, 1/4 tsp ground turmeric, 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1 tsp salt to create the twelve-spice rub.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 2 chicken breasts (6 oz each) and rub the spice mix evenly over both sides of the chicken.
3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and sear for 5 minutes on the first side without moving, until the edges turn golden and slightly crispy.
5. Step 5: Flip the chicken breasts and cook for another 5-6 minutes on medium heat until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached and the chicken is cooked through.
6. Step 6: Remove from skillet, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve warm.