Description
Southwest chicken delivers a zesty flavor explosion that brings restaurant-quality excitement straight to your dinner table. Packed with bold spices and easy preparation, this dish turns weeknight meals into a delicious fiesta.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Supporting Ingredients:
- 3 cloves fresh garlic
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Activate your oven to 400°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Sprinkle each of the 4 chicken breasts with ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper.
- Whisk together ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 3 minced garlic cloves in a medium mixing bowl.
- Transfer chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish and pour the entire marinade mixture over them, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated.
- Allow the chicken to absorb marinade flavors at room temperature for exactly 30 minutes.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for 27 minutes, checking that the thickest part of the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to redistribute internal juices.
- Slice each chicken breast diagonally and drizzle the remaining pan juices over the meat before serving.
Notes
- Let the chicken marinate longer for deeper flavor, up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for best results.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it’s perfectly cooked without drying out.
- For a lower-carb version, replace honey with a sugar-free alternative like monk fruit sweetener.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions to add brightness and extra Southwest-style flavor to the dish.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg