Sautéed Chicken with Mexican Spices and Roasted Corn
Tender chicken pieces infused with smoky Mexican spices, served alongside sweet roasted corn and a vibrant cilantro-lime sauce. This mexican-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast, olive oil, smoked paprika 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
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup (from about 2 ears) fresh corn kernels
- 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 small, seeded and minced jalapeño
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Toss 1 lb chicken breast cubes with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Place the chicken cubes in the hot skillet and sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 165°F internal temperature.
- Step 3: In a separate dry pan over medium heat, add 1 cup fresh corn kernels and roast for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until the corn is slightly charred and fragrant.
- Step 4: Mix 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, and 1 minced small jalapeño in a small bowl to create a zesty sauce.
- Step 5: Serve the spiced chicken and roasted corn side by side, drizzled with the cilantro-lime sauce for a fresh finish.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Mexican Spices and Roasted Corn take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Sautéed Chicken with Mexican Spices and Roasted Corn?
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 Sautéed Chicken with Mexican Spices and Roasted Corn?
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 Sautéed Chicken with Mexican Spices and Roasted Corn 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.
Is Sautéed Chicken with Mexican Spices and Roasted Corn gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.