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A rich and creamy single serving Paprika Chicken that cooks in just 20 minutes! Satisfy your cravings with this simple, flavorful dish that’s perfect anytime.

Paprika Chicken over pasta on a blue plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple ingredients: This recipe uses easily accessible ingredients, most of which are likely already in your pantry.
  • Quick and easy: The entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a satisfying lunch.
  • Recipe doubles well: This recipe yields one generous serving of the best Chicken Paprika. If you’d like to make a second serving, just double the ingredient amounts.

What Is Paprika Chicken?

Paprika Chicken is a classic dish made with tender chicken pieces cooked in a flavorful sauce made with paprika, onions, and garlic. The dish is known for its warming, savory flavors, and rich, creamy texture. It’s a comforting and delicious meal that can be enjoyed on its own or served over a bed of your favorite grain or pasta.

Paprika Chicken has its roots in Central and Eastern European cuisine, with Hungary being particularly famous for its love of paprika. You can find various versions of Paprika Chicken throughout Europe and beyond and our recipe combines traditional flavors with a few modern twists to create a dish that is simple, delicious, and perfect for one.

a blue plate filled with chicken paprika with a piece of chicken on a fork.

Ingredients

paprika chicken ingredients on a kitchen counter.

Ingredient Notes

See below for ways to use leftover ingredients.

  • Chicken: Use one 5 to 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thigh cut into ¼-inch thick strips.
  • Paprika: I prefer using smoked paprika which adds a rich, smoky flavor to the dish but you can use sweet paprika instead.
  • Diced tomatoes: Use 1/2 cup of canned diced tomatoes. I recommend spooning the diced tomatoes into a measuring cup so that you get some of the tomato juices with the tomatoes.
  • Onions and garlic: Chopped onions and garlic add extra flavor and depth to the dish. Definitely don’t leave them out.
  • Chicken broth: I prefer using low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content of the dish. If you use regular chicken broth, you might want to reduce the amount of salt you add. I always recommend tasting the finished dish and adding extra seasonings and salt if needed.
  • Heavy cream:  I recommend using heavy cream (double cream) or heavy whipping cream. Both of these ingredients are essentially the same – they both have over 36% milk fat, and the name often depends on the brand. 
  • Parmesan cheese:  For the best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  • Pasta: Use 2 ounces of pasta. I love using rotini pasta because the grooves in the pasta hold onto the sauce. Two ounces of dried rotini is about 1/2 cup and when cooked, yields 1 cup of pasta.
  • Butter: Use salted butter to cook the chicken and vegetables in.
  • Salt and black pepper: Adds flavor to the dish.

This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I used them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the recipe box at the bottom of the post.

How To Make Paprika Chicken For One

These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make chicken in a creamy paprika sauce. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and season with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
chicken pieces seasoned with paprika in a red bowl.
  1. Melt half of the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken in the pan and cook for 3 minutes on one side. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 3 minutes, until the chicken has lightly browned and is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate, cover, and set aside.
chicken pieces cooking in a skillet.
  1. Melt the remaining butter in the skillet. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Next, add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently for 30 seconds.
onions and garlic cooking in a skillet.
  1. Add smoked paprika to the onions and garlic and cook, stirring constantly for 10 seconds.
vegetables coated in paprika cooking in a skillet.
  1. Pour in the diced tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally for 1 minute.

Pro Tip: Although I love using canned diced tomatoes, you can chop and use 1 medium-sized tomato instead. Add a bit more broth to the sauce in Step 6 to allow for the lack of tomato juices which would come from canned tomatoes.

diced tomatoes in a skillet.
  1. Pour in the broth and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently for 5 to 7 minutes.

Pro Tip: You want to cook the sauce until the mixture has reduced slightly and the sauce has thickened.

paprika sauce simmering in a pan.
  1. Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently for 2 minutes.

Pro Tip: The combination of chicken broth and heavy cream helps to create a rich, flavorful sauce that compliments the smoky paprika and tender chicken. You can’t get the same richness and flavor using whole milk.

creamy paprika sauce simmering in a skillet.
  1. Add the chicken back to the pan, reduce the heat to low and stir until the chicken is heated through.
paprika chicken simmering in a skillet.
  1. Serve over cooked pasta, rice, or quinoa.
chicken with paprika sauce over rotini pasta next to fresh basil and a bowl of grated parmesan cheese.
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Expert Tips

  • Read through the entire recipe and the Ingredient Notes section of the post and gather your ingredients. We provide a lot of information within the body of this recipe post to ensure that your Chicken Paprika comes out perfectly every time. This dish comes together quickly so it’s a good idea to fully understand the recipe and have everything ready before beginning.
  • Adjust the seasoning to taste: If you like your food spicier, you can add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of paprika.
  • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley: Chopped fresh basil or parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
  • Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld together and make the dish even more delicious.
  • For a low-carb paprika chicken, enjoy without the pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Regular Paprika Instead Of Smoked Paprika?

You can, but keep in mind that the smoky flavor is a key component of the dish. If you use regular paprika, the dish will still taste good but it won’t have the same depth of flavor.

How Do I Thicken The Sauce?

When heavy cream simmers, some of the liquid evaporates which helps to thicken sauces. If you’d like your sauce thicker, simmer the cream longer than called for in the recipe.
Using heavy cream is a wonderful low-carb way to thicken a sauce without using flour.

Can I Make Paprika Chicken In Advance?

Yes, you can make the sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the sauce and cook the chicken.

Can This Recipe Be Doubled?

Absolutely! If you’d like to make a second serving, just double the ingredient amounts.

Serving Suggestions

Wondering how to best savor your creamy Paprika Chicken? The rich, bold flavors of this dish offer endless pairing possibilities. Whether you’re in the mood for carbs or looking for something lighter, we’ve got you covered with a variety of serving suggestions to elevate your meal.

  • Pasta: The creamy sauce melds beautifully with all kinds of pasta, from spaghetti to fettuccine.
  • Mashed Potatoes: For a comforting meal, serve your Paprika Chicken over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes.
  • Rice or Grains: Consider serving it over rice or other grains like quinoa or farro for a hearty yet healthful option.
  • Simple Salad: A crisp, green salad with a light vinaigrette can add a refreshing contrast to the dish.
  • French Bread: A slice of warm French bread is perfect for soaking up the remaining sauce on your plate.
  • Sautéed Vegetables: For a balanced meal, include veggies like green beans on the side.
chicken paprikash on a blue plate

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If you’ve tried this Smoked Paprika Chicken recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

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Recipe

Chicken Paprika For One

5 from 6 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
A rich and creamy single serving Paprika Chicken that cooks in just 20 minutes! Satisfy your cravings with this simple, flavorful dish that's perfect anytime.

Ingredients 
 

  • 2 ounces dry rotini pasta (about ½ cup dry pasta). This will yield about 1 cup of cooked pasta.
  • 1 (5 to 6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast , sliced into ¼-inch strips
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika , divided
  • teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ tablespoons salted butter , divided
  • ¼ cup chopped onions
  • 1 clove garlic , minced
  • ½ cup canned diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • Optional for topping: chopped fresh basil or parsley

Instructions 

  • Fill a medium-sized saucepan with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the pasta to the boiling water and reduce the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil. Cook until the pasta is tender, about 5-7 minutes. Drain in a colander and set it aside.
  • Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and season with ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Melt half of the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken in the pan and cook for 3 minutes on one side. Flip the chicken over and cook for another 3 minutes, until the chicken has lightly browned and is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate, cover, and set aside.
  • Melt the remaining butter in the skillet. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Next, add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently for 30 seconds.
  • Add the remaining ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika to the onions and garlic and cook, stirring constantly for 10 seconds.
  • Pour in the diced tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally for 1 minute.
  • Pour in the broth and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring frequently for 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring frequently for 2 minutes.
  • Add the chicken back to the pan, reduce the heat to low and stir until the chicken is heated through.
  • Serve over cooked pasta and top with Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil or parsley.

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Read through the entire recipe and the Ingredient Notes section of the post and gather your ingredients. We provide a lot of information within the body of this recipe post to ensure that your Chicken Paprika comes out perfectly every time. This dish comes together quickly so it’s a good idea to fully understand the recipe and have everything ready before beginning.
  • Adjust the seasoning to taste: If you like your food spicier, you can add some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount of paprika.
  • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley: Chopped fresh basil or parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
  • Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld together and make the dish even more delicious.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 558kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 39g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 185mg, Sodium: 732mg, Potassium: 747mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 1151IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 126mg, Iron: 2mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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7 Comments

  1. I made this recipe last night for myself, it was delicious and easy. I had some left over whipping cream, frozen pasta and just bought chicken breasts. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  2. This dish is very similar to Chicken Paprikash. Replace the tomatoes with an equal amount of chicken broth. Replace 2 tablespoons sour cream for the heavy cream and omit the Parmesan cheese. Chicken Paprikash is served with Hungarian dumplings (Nokedli) made with 1 egg, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3/8 cup water, and 1 cup flour, added gradually. Let this rest for 10″. Beat again. Spoon very small pieces in batches into the salted water and let cook till they rise to the top. Nokedli is very tasty. This recipe makes 2 servings.