Easy 20-Minute Smoky Chicken Breast

Elevate that boring, bland chicken breast! Tender, juicy chicken breasts made with a homemade smoky, savory and sweet spice rub. It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner recipe!

In case you’re new here, hi, my name is Jamie and I love smoky, salty, sweet stuff. Do you? If yes, you’re in the right place!

I made these deliciously juicy, tender smoky chicken breasts using a thrown together spice rub which was honestly SO GOOD.

If you’ve gotten bored with your meal prep or with chicken in general, this recipe is for you!

Coming from a Cuban household, chicken breast was always a no-go (unless it was fried or pan seared with lots of oil) because it’s so dry and boring.

I, however, was always a fan.

Some people I know would tell me “HOW do you like chicken? It doesn’t taste like anything!” And to that I say – it’s because you don’t know how to season your chicken. Plain and simple.

You need a smoky, savory, sweet spice rub!

Ok, ok, you don’t NEED this spice rub. You can use garlic, lemon, Italian seasoning, etc BUT…I highly recommend you try this spice rub.

This simple-to-make spice rub consists of:

• smoked paprika
• cumin
• sea salt
• brown sugar
• garlic powder
• chili powder
• cocoa powder

I know right!? LIKE WHAAAT. And the flavor? Smoky, savory with a touch of sweet. Add a squeeze of lime of top and hello, it’s the perfect way to elevate a boring, bland chicken breast.

It’s the ultimate weeknight dinner! Pair it with mushrooms, strawberry salad, or even chipotle Mexican street corn.

Can’t wait for you guys to make it!

20-Minute Smoky Chicken Breasts

Tender, juicy chicken breasts made with a homemade smoky, savory and sweet spice rub. It's the ultimate weeknight dinner recipe!

5 from 1 vote

Print Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 197kcal

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• Lime wedges

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a bowl, whisk smoked paprika, cumin, sea salt, brown sugar, garlic powder, chili powder, and cocoa powder together. Set aside.
• Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and evenly rub them with olive oil and the spice rub.
• Bake chicken breasts for 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked.* Serve with your favorite side and enjoy!

Notes

*Depending on thickness of chicken breasts, it may take longer. You can use a thermometer to read the internal temperature; it has to be at least 165 degrees F.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 197kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.2g | Protein: 26.6g | Fat: 8.9g | Saturated Fat: 1.1g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 551mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 1.3g | Calcium: 3% | Iron: 8%

SHOP THE RECIPE

This page may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on one of the product links above and complete a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I will never place a link nor make a recommendation on a product or service that I don’t love or use personally. Thank you for keeping A Sassy Spoon, sassy. ;)