Mains, Recipes · February 17, 2021

Delicious and Quick Chicken Paprikash!

two square white bowls filled with bright orange chicken paprikash

I think a lot of us are facing the same dilemma each night, after months of cooking for ourselves during the pandemic. Oh, we defiantly have our preferred old standbys; the quick pasta recipes, the healthier proteins with green salads when we’re feeling like taking care of ourselves, and the down & dirty comfort food recipes, when feeding the soul is more important than the calorie count. But, it can get a bit monotonous cooking every night. Sometimes, you have to shake it up a bit with a rich & savory recipe made for this time crunched world. Introducing one of my favorite weeknight meals: Delicious and Quick Chicken Paprikash!

Traditional versus Modern Chicken Paprika Recipes

My Hungarian-inspired chicken paprikash (Paprika Chicken) shows off the full bodied flavors of paprika and garlic, combined with bell peppers, shallots, sour cream, and savory chicken thighs. This variation is easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner, without losing the deep flavors you would expect of a dish simmered for hours.

Traditional Hungarian Chicken Paprikash recipes vary widely from one household to another. Some use sweet Hungarian paprika, others plain. Sometimes tomatoes are added, sometimes not. Alongside the chicken, the starchy side dish that accompanies the main dish span an equally wide gamut. My version takes smoked paprika – which is Spanish in origin – but in a way that replicates the comforting flavors of a traditional Hungarian paprikash.

spooning brightly red paprikash sauce on top of chicken and mashed potatoes

Traditional flavors, made with modern methods

Many paprikash recipes start with a whole bird, and stew it for hours. The bone collagen becomes part of the sauce, and the underskin fats are rendered into a rich and comforting meal that takes a day in the kitchen – and is totally worth it once in a while. But what if it’s a busy Tuesday night and you’re craving this classic comfort food? My version uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs, dredged in a bit of seasoned flour, and seared quickly. After searing the chicken, we use the same pan to create a rich sauce with plenty of colorful bell peppers, shallots, garlic, and loads of smoked paprika. This is a smoky one-pan chicken paprika that feeds the senses! Every bite of this full-bodied dish of delicately spiced chicken thighs warms you from the inside!

two dark grey plates of orange red chicken paprikash, surrounded by brightly colored pink flowers and greens.

What is the difference between smoked paprika and regular paprika?

Flavor! Interestingly, there are three very different families of paprika – sweet (Hungarian) paprika, Smoked, and Hot. The flavors run from mild, to faintly sweet, and smoky to downright spicy! A traditional Hungarian paprikash would usually use sweet paprika, and one with the stem and seeds of the dried chili removed before grinding. Although more expensive, it’s depth of flavor is so much better than the cheaper versions that grind the entire chili for sale.

Okay, so then why do you use smoked paprika instead of the traditional sweet paprika?

I used a Spanish smoked paprika in my recipe because I enjoy that umami smoky note, and it adds a lot of depth to this chicken paprikash. Slightly more spicy, and deep red in color, it’s a gorgeous addition to this savory one-skillet chicken recipe!

No matter which type of paprika you use, make sure to use a quality spice. I make sure my stash of paprika is no older than six months, or the flavors will be significantly muddier (i.e. bland and dull). I like to buy smaller quantities, but in the mid-to-high price point for my ground paprika. There is truly a difference in color and taste.

What do I serve as a side dish for smoked paprika chicken paprikash?

Starchy carbs are the way to go! Nokedli (Hungarian Spaetzle), potato dumplings, or a creamy mashed potato is an amazing accompaniment to this easy weeknight chicken dish! Serving the creamy sauce over buttered egg noodles, with just a sprinkle of fresh parsley, is delicious too!

2 white square bowls, overhead view, with a small bowl of ground smoked paprika and flowers surrounding the bowls

Chicken Paprikash (Chicken Paprika) Recipe

serves 4-6

2 pounds (about 6 thighs) boneless skinless chicken thighs

3 tablespoons of flour

1 1/2 tablespoons + 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, divided

kosher salt

ground black pepper

1 tablespoon + 3 tablespoons butter, divided

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cloves fresh garlic, minced

3 large shallots, minced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, chopped

3 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon cumin

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1/2 cup sour cream

freshly chopped Italian parsley, for garnish

mashed potatoes or buttered noodles for serving

overhead view of a chicken paprikash ingredient flatly. Chicken, stock, spices, shallots, bell peppers, sour cream, and garlic

For the Chicken

Gently pat dry the chicken thighs. Add the flour & 1/2 teaspoon of paprika to a plate. Stir.

Season both sides of the chicken with salt and black pepper, then dredge in the seasoned flour.

a woman in an orange sweater, shrinkingly salt over some chicken thighs

Reserve both the chicken and the leftover flour mix. We’ll be using it to make a roux in a moment

Preheat a large dutch oven or skillet, over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot.

Once heated and slightly foamy, start to sear your chicken in batches. We want to brown and almost cook the chicken completely. About 4 minutes on each side (about 6 per side would be fully cooked). Make sure not to burn the oil.

a green dutch oven, frying chicken thighs,mon a marble background

After completely cooked, place the chicken on a plate and reserve. Keep the oils in the pan for the next stage.

For the Sauce

Using the same dutch oven as you used to cook the chicken, add your minced garlic. Let cook while stirring, until fragrant. About 1 minute.

Next, add in the diced peppers & shallots with a heft inch of kosher salt. Stir and cook until slightly softened. About 5 minutes

dicing red bell pepper on a wooden cutting board

adding the veggie mix to the green pot to suatee

Now, to make the roux:

Push the cooked vegetables to one side of the pot and add the 3 tablespoons of reserved butter. Heat until foamy.

Add the 3 tablespoons of flour and stir the flour/butter continuously. (Try to keep the veggies on one side of the pot, but don’t worry if a few escape!)

Cook the roux until it becomes a nutty brown. About 3 minutes.

Once light brown in color, mix the cooked veggies into the roux, and add the remainder of the paprika, along with 1/2 teaspoon of cumin. Mix.

adding chicken stock to the roux and vegetables

Slowly add the chicken stock to this mix, while stirring until thickened.

Add the chicken back to the pot, along with 1/2 cup of sour cream while mixing. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer on low for 5 minutes.

adding sour cream to the paprika chicken

adding chicken to the green pot of paprikash sauce

Serve over noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.

Garnish with fresh Italian parsley.

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5 from 13 votes