Paprika Chicken For One

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.

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.

Ingredients

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Add smoked paprika to the onions and garlic and cook, stirring constantly for 10 seconds.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Add the chicken back to the pan, reduce the heat to low and stir until the chicken is heated through.

9. Serve over cooked pasta, rice, or quinoa.

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.

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.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

Chicken and Rice For One

Chicken Spaghetti For One

Chicken Enchiladas Verde For One

Chicken Chili For One

• Chicken: Jerk Chicken, Chicken Tetrazzini, Tuscan Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Piccata
• Smoked paprika: Baked Pork Chop, Cioppino, Cheese Grits, Taco Seasoning, Tomato Soup
• Onions: Smothered Pork Chops, Philly Cheesesteak, Shrimp and Grits, Baked Black Bean Tacos, Chili Mac
• Garlic: Shrimp Etouffee, Mushroom Casserole, Coq au Vin, Pizza Bowl, Green Bean Casserole
• Canned diced tomatoes: Chicken Chili, Jambalaya, Chicken Cacciatore, Tomato Sauce, Shrimp Creole
• Chicken broth: White Bean Soup, Risotto, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Spaghetti, Chicken Tortellini Soup
• Heavy cream: Crustless Quiche, Alfredo Sauce, Cream Scones, Cheesy Baked Eggs, French Silk Pie
• Parmesan cheese: Stuffed Shells, Pasta Carbonara, Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Smashed Brussels Sprouts
• Pasta: Pasta with Vodka Sauce, Goulash, Pasta Primavera, Mushroom Pasta, Baked Pasta with Roasted Vegetables