In a bowl, whisk smoked paprika, cumin, sea salt, brown sugar, garlic powder, chili powder, and cocoa powder together. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and evenly rub them with olive oil and the spice rub.
To make chicken in the oven
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Bake chicken breasts for 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked.* Serve and enjoy!
To make chicken on the stove
In a skillet with a lid, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 1 minute on each side.
Turn the heat down to low, cover the skillet and cook chicken breasts for another 10 minutes, undisturbed.
After 10 minutes, remove from heat. KEEP THE LID ON for another 10 minutes. Allow the chicken breasts to continue to cook with the residual heat. This is how they get tender and juicy.
After the full 20 minutes, remove the lid and transfer the cooked chicken breasts* to a plate. Serve 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.