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Chicken Paprikash

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During recipe testing for my first book, my husband declared this his favourite recipe. This is Chicken Paprikash (a Hungarian chicken stew), also known as paprika chicken, which is incredibly easy to make and packed with flavour. The chicken is simmered in a tomato and capsicum (bell pepper) gravy, seasoned with paprika (the key ingredient!), and then finished with a generous dollop of sour cream for extra richness. After less than an hour of stovetop simmering, you end up with fall-off-the-bone chicken that is delicious served with just about anything – we love it with pasta, rice, bread, mashed potatoes or polenta to mop up the luscious, creamy, tomatoey sauce.

Chicken Paprikash dish with rich paprika sauce served on a plate
This Chicken Paprikash is incredibly versatile and works well served with pasta, mashed potatoes, creamy polenta, rice or crusty bread to mop up the delicious sauce.

It’s a great meal to prepare ahead of time, as the longer it sits, the more the flavours develop. It can be batch-cooked and frozen, ready for when you need it. The fresh cabbage salad I serve with this meal is famous in my parents’ hometown and is now famous at my place too – the kids love it! It includes just a few simple, low-cost ingredients, but it really is the perfect partner to the chicken. This recipe features in my new cookbook, The Simple Dinner Edit.

What else can I serve with Chicken Paprikash?

Aside from pasta, you could try mashed potato, a potato gratin or simple boiled potatoes. Polenta, rice or even bread also work well. If you want to serve it with a slightly different cabbage side dish, you could try my Sauteed Red Cabbage.

A pan of Chicken Paprikash featuring tender chicken pieces in a rich paprika sauce
Chicken Paprikash is great for batch cooking and freezing.

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken for this dish?

Yes! Make this an even quicker dinner by using 600–800 g (1¼–1¾ lb) of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breast, cut into bite-sized cubes. Cook as per the recipe, but reduce the simmering time from 40 minutes to 20 minutes, or just cook until the chicken is tender.

Can I omit the cream?

Yes, some people prefer to leave out the cream and just go with a rich tomatoey sauce, which is still delicious.

Close-up of Chicken Paprikash on a white plate
Try this fall-apart chicken simmered in a delicious tomatoey sauce flavoured with capsicum (bell pepper), paprika and garlic, then finished with cream.

Watch how to make Chicken Paprikash

If you enjoyed Chicken Paprikash, I think you’ll love:

Chicken Stroganoff Recipe
Chicken with Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe
Slow-cooked Osso Buco Recipe
Slow Cooked Traditional Goulash Recipe
Red Wine Lamb Shanks Recipe

Close-up of Chicken Paprikash on a white plate

Chicken Paprikash

Author: Nicole
5 from 7 votes
“Absolutely perfect! The flavour is fantastic.”
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Chicken Paprikash is a hearty, family-friendly dish that’s absolutely packed with flavour. Chicken is simmered in a tomato and capsicum (bell pepper) gravy, seasoned with paprika and finished with a dollop of sour cream. A simple fresh cabbage salad makes the perfect side.
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 55 minutes
Total 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

CABBAGE SALAD
  • 300 g (4 cups) shredded green cabbage
  • 80 ml (⅓ cup) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes
  • ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
CHICKEN PAPRIKASH
  • 1.2 kg (2½ lb) chicken drumsticks and bone-in chicken thigh cutlets
  • 2 tsp sea salt flakes
  • 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 40 g (1½ oz) unsalted butter
  • 2 large onions, finely diced
  • 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), finely sliced
  • 1 tsp freshly grated garlic
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp sweet paprika (or use hot if you prefer some spice)
  • 500 ml (2 cups) chicken stock
  • 200 g (7 oz) canned crushed tomatoes (see note 1)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional)
  • Pasta of choice, to serve

Instructions

  • To make the cabbage salad, combine the ingredients in a large bowl and toss well.
  • Season the chicken with half the salt and pepper and dust all over with the flour.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat and cook the chicken in batches for 2–3 minutes until browned all over. 
  • Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
  • Add the butter to the same pan and, once melted, add the onion and cook, stirring, for 2–3 minutes until softened. 
  • Add the capsicum and garlic and cook, stirring, for a further 2 minutes. 
  • Add the tomato paste and paprika and stir them through, then immediately add the chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, the remaining salt and pepper and the sugar. 
  • Return the chicken to the pan and bring to the boil before reducing the heat to medium–low. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking. The chicken should be soft enough to pull apart using two forks; if not, continue cooking in 15-minute intervals until it is tender. Add 125 ml (½ cup) of water as needed if the sauce starts sticking to the base of the pan. 
  • Remove the chicken from the pan and place it in a shallow dish.
  • Mix the sour cream into the sauce, then pour it over the chicken. Sprinkle with the parsley (if using) and serve with the cabbage salad and pasta.

Nutrition information

Nutrition Facts
Chicken Paprikash
Amount per Serving
Calories
813
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
59
g
91
%
Saturated Fat
 
15
g
94
%
Trans Fat
 
0.4
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
8
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
31
g
Cholesterol
 
215
mg
72
%
Sodium
 
2337
mg
102
%
Potassium
 
1261
mg
36
%
Carbohydrates
 
30
g
10
%
Fiber
 
7
g
29
%
Sugar
 
13
g
14
%
Protein
 
43
g
86
%
Vitamin A
 
4124
IU
82
%
Vitamin C
 
79
mg
96
%
Calcium
 
120
mg
12
%
Iron
 
5
mg
28
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes

Watch how to make it

Recipe notes

Note 1 – You can freeze leftover canned crushed tomatoes for up to 2 months in a reusable storage bag or airtight container. You can also choose to add the full tin of crushed tomatoes for a more tomato-based sauce. 

Make Ahead 

Chicken paprikash – Prepare as per the recipe. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, freeze for up to 3 months. Store in an airtight container. Thaw completely overnight in the fridge before reheating. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed. 
Cabbage salad – Shred the cabbage 4–5 days ahead of time. Ensure it is thoroughly dried. Store in an airtight container or reusable storage bag. Only add the dressing at the time of serving.

Leftovers

Chicken paprikash – Leftovers are even better the next day. Refrigerate freshly made leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely in the fridge overnight before reheating for best results. 
Cabbage salad – Once dressed, this salad is best consumed immediately but leftovers can be stored up to 24 hours (the cabbage will soften). Try leftovers with chicken schnitzel and creamy potato salad – they are a match made in heaven! Or try with cevapi, sliced red onion and ajvar on a roll for the ultimate sandwich experience. Ajvar can be found at most major supermarkets or at continental delicatessens.

Equipment

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!
Course chicken
Cuisine Hungarian

  1. 5 stars
    Hi Nicole,
    Another 5/5 from you. I don’t have instagram where I would have messaged but just wanted to say a huge thank you. Your books have been the only books I’ve ever cooked more than a handful of recipes from. I’ve made I think 20 at least and so are now absolute family favourites. My husband lost his job and became unwell so I have had to take on a lot and save money and you have come to the rescue for us! Grocery bill halved, delicious meals every night.

    • Hi Ellie, thank you so much for this feedback. I’m so sorry to hear about your husband and I totally understand how tough it is to make ends meet and still eat well. ❤️ I am so touched and pleased that you have found the recipes helpful and enjoyable. I really hope things improve for you and your family. ❤️ Nic x

  2. Sooooo yum! Loved the flavours so much ❤️

    • Wonderful to hear, Emma! Nic x

  3. 5 stars
    Absolutely perfect! The flavour is fantastic.

    • Brilliant to hear, Nadine! Thanks also for the rating. Nic x

  4. 5 stars
    Super easy to make and tasty! I wanted something different to make for dinner tonight and I had all the ingredients for this in my fridge. I didn’t have bone in Chicken but I had chicken thighs and worked just as well. Defintely adding this one to the rotation!!

    • I’m so happy you made this, Brooke! This is such a special dish from my childhood so I am thrilled when anyone tries it. Thanks also for the rating, Nic x

  5. 5 stars
    I don’t usually comment on recipes, but when a friend had a ton of leftover dumplings after a funeral, I had to make some more chicken to go with! This recipe was super simple and really tasty, and I can’t wait for the leftovers either!

    • Hi Stacy, I’m so happy that you enjoyed this, as paprikash is a very special dish for me, going right back to my childhood. Best wishes to your friend, too. Nic x

  6. 5 stars
    A really nice, hearty recipe. Perfect for these colder winter days. I subbed out the sour cream for almond yogurt as we are dairy free and it was still delicious!

    • I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed it and that the yoghurt sub worked well! xx

  7. 5 stars
    Full of flavor and absolutely delicious!

    • I’m so glad you enjoyed it! xx

  8. 5 stars
    So easy and delicious!! I usually follow a recipe as written the first time and then maybe tweak next time. Not this recipe….wouldn’t change a thing!!

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Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes 

For recipes labelled ‘gluten-free’ or ‘dairy-free’, the ingredients included in the recipe are typically gluten- or dairy-free. However, it is the user’s responsibility to carefully check the ingredient panels on the specific brands of products purchased and used. Simple Home Edit cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions.