Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Paillards

Tender chicken breast paillards seasoned with aromatic Moroccan spices and served with a citrusy honey-butter sauce infused with cinnamon and chili flakes. This flavorful dish combines sweet, spicy, and savory elements for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal.

4 servings
27 min

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon mild honey
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 piece cinnamon stick
  • ¼ teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • pound boneless chicken breast
  • 1 piece grill pan

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat grill pan over moderate heat until hot.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Meanwhile, simmer all sauce ingredients except butter in a 1-quart saucepan, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Set aside while cooking chicken.

    2 min

  3. 3.

    Cook cumin, paprika, and pepper in oil in a small skillet over moderately low heat, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl, reserving skillet for sauce (do not clean). Brush some spiced oil on 1 side of each paillard, then sprinkle with some salt. Arrange 2 paillards in grill pan, oiled sides down, and brush tops with some of spiced oil, then sprinkle with some salt. Grill 2 minutes, then turn over and grill until just cooked through, about 3 minutes more. Transfer to a platter and cover with foil. Grill remaining paillards in same manner, transferring to platter.

    15 min

  4. 4.

    Pour sauce through a medium-mesh sieve into reserved small skillet, discarding solids. Add any juices from chicken accumulated on platter to sauce and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, then add butter and swirl skillet until butter is just incorporated. Season sauce with salt and spoon over chicken.

    5 min