Spiced Chicken: Perfect for Busy Weeknights!

Posted on January 1, 2026

Spiced Chicken

This incredibly delicious Spiced Chicken comes together in about 30 minutes and is a one-pan wonder for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the spices or add whatever veggies you have lying around, this recipe is so versatile, it’s like a superhero for your fridge, swooping in to save dinner with style!

Ingredient Breakdown

Here’s What You Need:

  • 4 chicken thighs or breasts: Use whatever you have! Thighs give juiciness, while breasts are lean and quick-cooking.
  • 2 tablespoons oil: Olive or coconut works great here. Flavor city, baby!
  • 1 onion, chopped: Sweet and aromatic, it’s the foundation of many great dishes.
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic fanatics, rejoice! This is where the magic begins.
  • 1 inch ginger, grated: A trick I swear by, fresh ginger adds zing!
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped: Freshness and acidity get in on the action.
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala: This spice blend is an absolute flavor bomb!
  • 1 teaspoon cumin: Earthy goodness that brings warmth.
  • 1 teaspoon coriander: A lovely citrusy note, really brightens things up!
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric: Adds beautiful color and amazing health benefits.
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder: For a kick, add more if you dare!
  • Salt to taste: Just a couple pinches for good measure.
  • Cilantro for garnish: A fresh touch that looks (and tastes) fabulous!

How to Make Spiced Chicken

  1. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat until shimmering, don’t rush this! You want it hot enough to sauté those onions.

  2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent and golden brown, about 5 minutes. The smell oh, it’s heavenly!

  3. Stir in the garlic and ginger, cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. This is when your kitchen will start to smell like a fancy restaurant. Seriously.

  4. Toss in the chopped tomatoes and let them cook down until they break apart and soften, about 3-4 minutes. Stir occasionally, and you might want to scrape the yummy bits off the bottom!

  5. Mix in the garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and a couple pinches of salt. Stir everything together until it’s well combined.

  6. Add the chicken pieces to the pan, coating them well with that heavenly spice concoction. It’s starting to look and smell like dinner!

  7. If it looks a little dry, splash in a bit of water, then cover the pan! Let it simmer for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. But don’t just walk away, check on it now and then!

  8. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with fluffy rice or warm flatbread! Your family will be singing your praises, trust me.

Spiced Chicken

Why I Love This Recipe

I’m a real sucker for Spiced Chicken. This is my go-to recipe when life gets busy, and I need something comforting and satisfying on the table fast. It’s loaded with tons of flavor and is so versatile, you can use whatever you have on hand. Vegetables, different chicken cuts, or even swapping spices, go ahead! The best part is, it’s always a family favorite.

If you loved this Spiced Chicken, be sure to check out my Panera Chicken Salad, my Spicy Firecracker Chicken Wraps, or my Cattle Drive Casserole! These recipes have your busy weeknight dinners covered!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

Comes together in under 30 minutes that’s right! Perfect for those hectic nights when you just want a home-cooked meal without the fuss.

One-Pan Wonder

Minimal cleanup required here! This recipe comes together all in one pan, which is a lifesaver for busy parents (or anyone).

Budget-Friendly

It uses affordable, everyday ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry or fridge. Win-win!

Customizable

You can swap in whatever ingredients you have, feel free to get creative! Not a fan of chicken? Use tofu or chickpeas instead!

Comfort Food

This dish is loaded with tons of flavor and will warm you up from the inside out, making it an instant comfort food classic in your home.

Serving and Storage Tips

What to Serve With This

Pair this Quick and Easy Spiced Chicken with fluffy basmati rice or warm naan bread. You could even throw in a fresh salad or some sautéed veggies to complete the meal!

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, if it lasts that long!

Reheating Instructions

Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. Just add a splash of water if it seems dry trust me; you want to keep those flavors alive!

Freezer Friendly

Yes, this dish is freezer-friendly! Let it cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, just thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as mentioned above.

Final Thoughts

Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming! With this Spiced Chicken, you can whip up a flavorful and satisfying meal in no time. I really hope you give this one a try, it’s a fantastic way to make dinner easy, delicious, and enjoyed by the whole family.

Looking for something to complement this dish or just need more quick recipes to round out your week? Feel free to explore my other posts. I always share goodies I know you’ll adore. Happy cooking, friends!

Hope you love it! How about whipping up this dish and letting me know what your family thinks? You might just start a new tradition! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Spiced Chicken

Spiced Chicken


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: maya-refresher
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten-Free

Description

A quick and delicious one-pan spiced chicken recipe that comes together in 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 chicken thighs or breasts
  • 2 tablespoons oil (olive or coconut)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium heat until shimmering.
  2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent and golden brown, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Toss in the chopped tomatoes and let them cook down until they soften, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Mix in the garam masala, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and salt until well combined.
  6. Add the chicken pieces to the pan, coating them with the spice mixture.
  7. If it looks dry, splash in a bit of water and cover the pan, letting it simmer for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  8. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with rice or flatbread.

Notes

This recipe is very versatile; feel free to swap out veggies or protein sources to suit your preferences.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 35g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

Tags:

You might also like these recipes

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star