Sautéed Texas Mesquite Chicken with Smoky Paprika Sauce
Pan-seared and served with a smoky paprika-infused sauce inspired by the Texas Mesquite region. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, smoked paprika 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. 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tsp smoked paprika for an even smoky flavor.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
- Step 3: Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Lower heat to medium, add 3 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the smoky paprika sauce over them, and cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 6: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.









