Creamy Paprika Chicken Recipe
A rich and flavorful Creamy Paprika Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken thighs marinated in paprika and spices, cooked in a luscious sauce made from paprika, garlic, white wine, and sour cream. Perfectly seared and simmered to a creamy finish, this dish pairs beautifully with crusty bread or steamed rice for a comforting meal.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: European
For the Chicken Marinate
- 500 g (1 lb) chicken thighs, cubed
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Pinch of chilli flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- ½ cup white wine
- 1 cup chicken stock
- ½ cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pinch of sugar
- Marinate the chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-size cubes and place in a medium bowl. Drizzle over 1 tsp olive oil, 2 tsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp paprika, and add half of the oregano, thyme, and chilli flakes along with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine and allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding and cook until well seared on both sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, add 1 tbsp olive oil then add the finely chopped onion and crushed garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant, then stir in the remaining paprika, oregano, thyme, and chilli flakes.
- Deglaze and simmer the sauce: Pour in the white wine and chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce for a few minutes to concentrate flavors.
- Add sour cream and season: Stir in ½ cup sour cream, then season the sauce with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance acidity. Mix well to create a creamy, smooth sauce.
- Finish cooking the chicken: Return the seared chicken pieces along with any accumulated resting juices back to the pan. Simmer everything together for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serve: Scatter freshly chopped parsley over the dish and serve hot with crusty bread or steamed rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream with coconut cream or a plant-based alternative.
- You can adjust the chili flakes based on how spicy you like the dish.
- Using chicken thighs adds extra juiciness and flavor compared to chicken breasts.
- Allow the sauce to reduce well to avoid it being too runny.
- Serving suggestion includes crusty bread or steamed rice to soak up the creamy sauce.
Keywords: Creamy Paprika Chicken, Chicken Thighs, Paprika Sauce, Creamy Chicken Recipe, Easy Chicken Dinner, One Pan Chicken, Comfort Food