This Chicken Paprikash with Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. The tender chicken pieces, soaked in a creamy, flavorful paprika sauce, perfectly coat the pasta, creating a rich and satisfying dish. Each bite is packed with comforting warmth and depth of flavor, making it an ideal meal for both weeknights and special occasions.
The pasta adds a wonderful texture to the creamy sauce, making every forkful delicious. You can use any type of pasta you love, such as penne, fusilli, or even spaghetti, making this dish versatile and customizable. Paired with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this dish not only tastes amazing but also looks vibrant and inviting on the plate.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 medium onion, chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tablespoon sweet paprika
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon pepper
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1 cup chicken broth
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1 cup sour cream
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1 tablespoon flour
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1 tablespoon tomato paste
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Fresh parsley for garnish
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12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or your favorite type)
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2 tablespoons butter (optional)
Directions:
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Cook pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken thighs and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
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In the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
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Stir in both sweet and smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
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Add chicken broth and tomato paste to the skillet, stirring to combine. Bring to a simmer.
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Return the chicken thighs to the pan and cook for another 25-30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through.
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In a small bowl, mix sour cream and flour together. Stir this mixture into the skillet, making sure to combine it evenly with the sauce. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
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Remove the chicken from the sauce, shred or slice it, and return it to the pan.
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Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, stirring to coat the pasta with the creamy paprika sauce.
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If desired, stir in butter for extra creaminess. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Kcal: 430 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Chicken Paprikash with Pasta: A Comforting and Flavorful Meal
Chicken Paprikash with Pasta is an incredibly rich and hearty dish that combines tender chicken, a luscious paprika-infused sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. This recipe brings together the traditional flavors of Hungarian cuisine with a comforting pasta twist, making it a fantastic option for any dinner table. Whether you’re looking for a cozy meal to enjoy with your family or need a crowd-pleasing dish for guests, this Chicken Paprikash with Pasta will quickly become a favorite.
What Makes Chicken Paprikash with Pasta So Special?
At its core, Chicken Paprikash is a classic Hungarian dish known for its deep, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor. Traditionally, it’s made with chicken, onions, paprika, and sour cream, creating a creamy, flavorful sauce. When paired with pasta, it becomes a whole new experience, offering a balanced texture between the tender chicken, smooth sauce, and the bite of your favorite pasta shape. The paprika in this dish is the star, delivering a distinctive flavor that warms you up with every bite.
Pasta, a universally loved ingredient, takes this dish to a new level by providing a hearty base that soaks up the creamy, flavorful sauce. The chicken’s juicy, tender meat complements the pasta beautifully, making it a comforting and filling meal. This combination is perfect for those who enjoy savory dishes that don’t just taste good but also provide a satisfying, balanced experience.
The Role of Paprika in Chicken Paprikash
The key ingredient that gives Chicken Paprikash its unique taste is paprika. This spice is the backbone of the dish, and its rich, aromatic, and slightly sweet flavor enhances the chicken and the sauce. Paprika is also a defining element in Hungarian cuisine, which is known for its use of this flavorful spice in many traditional dishes. The paprika gives the sauce a vibrant red color, contributing to the dish’s visual appeal.
While sweet paprika is often used in Chicken Paprikash, many variations of the dish include smoked paprika, which adds a subtle smokiness that deepens the flavor profile. The balance between the sweet and smoked paprikas creates a depth of flavor that will linger on your taste buds long after your meal.
Cooking the Chicken: The Secret to Tender, Flavorful Meat
One of the most important aspects of making Chicken Paprikash is cooking the chicken properly. The ideal chicken for this recipe is bone-in, skin-on thighs, as they offer more flavor and juiciness compared to boneless, skinless cuts. The skin helps retain moisture during cooking, resulting in succulent meat that’s full of flavor.
When you cook the chicken, the process is all about achieving that perfect golden-brown exterior while ensuring the meat remains juicy and tender inside. It’s best to start by searing the chicken in a hot pan to achieve that crispy skin, which adds texture and flavor to the dish. After the chicken is browned, it is simmered in the paprika sauce, allowing it to absorb the flavors of the broth and spices. The result is chicken that falls off the bone and melts in your mouth.
The Creamy Paprika Sauce: Rich and Flavorful
A hallmark of Chicken Paprikash is the creamy sauce. The sauce begins with sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil, which creates a fragrant base for the dish. Adding the paprika to the mix infuses the sauce with its rich, smoky flavors. Then, chicken broth is introduced, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify as the chicken simmers in the pan.
What sets this dish apart is the final touch of sour cream, which adds a luxurious creaminess and a touch of tang that balances the smoky and spicy notes of the paprika. Mixing flour with the sour cream helps thicken the sauce, giving it a velvety texture that coats both the chicken and the pasta. The result is a sauce that is both rich and comforting, with just the right amount of heat from the paprika.
Pasta: The Perfect Companion to Chicken Paprikash
While Chicken Paprikash is traditionally served with bread or dumplings, serving it with pasta is a modern twist that elevates the dish. Pasta provides the perfect texture to complement the creamy sauce and tender chicken. The type of pasta you choose is entirely up to your preference. Penne, fusilli, or even fettuccine work wonderfully with this dish, as the pasta’s shape allows the sauce to cling to it perfectly.
Cooking the pasta al dente ensures that it holds its shape and doesn’t become too soft when mixed with the sauce. The pasta will absorb the flavors of the creamy paprika sauce, making every bite as satisfying as the next. This added element of pasta makes Chicken Paprikash with Pasta an even more fulfilling dish that will leave you full and satisfied.
How to Serve Chicken Paprikash with Pasta
Serving Chicken Paprikash with Pasta can be as simple or as fancy as you like. For a casual family dinner, this dish can be served in a large pot, allowing everyone to serve themselves. If you’re hosting a dinner party, you can plate the chicken and pasta individually, garnishing with fresh parsley for a touch of color. The vibrant red sauce and juicy chicken make this dish a visual as well as a flavorful delight.
Pair the meal with a crisp, refreshing salad to balance the richness of the chicken and pasta. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or a cucumber-tomato salad would complement the dish perfectly. You can also serve it with some crusty bread to soak up the remaining sauce, ensuring that none of that creamy goodness goes to waste.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Paprikash with Pasta
There are many reasons why Chicken Paprikash with Pasta is a dish that you’ll want to make again and again. First, the combination of flavors is simply irresistible. The smoky paprika, creamy sauce, and tender chicken work together to create a comforting, hearty meal that satisfies all your cravings. The addition of pasta makes it even more filling, turning it into a complete meal that is both comforting and indulgent.
Another reason to love this dish is its versatility. While the traditional Chicken Paprikash recipe uses chicken thighs, you can easily swap it out for chicken breasts or even pork if you prefer. You can also adjust the level of paprika to your liking, making it as mild or as spicy as you want. The dish is also easily customizable to fit your dietary needs, so feel free to make substitutions as needed.
Lastly, this recipe is incredibly easy to prepare, with minimal effort required to create a truly delicious dish. Whether you’re a beginner cook or a seasoned chef, you’ll appreciate how simple it is to put together, yet it tastes like something you’ve spent hours preparing.
Conclusion
Chicken Paprikash with Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that brings together the best of Hungarian cuisine with the heartiness of pasta. The creamy paprika sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta create a meal that’s both satisfying and indulgent. This dish is perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or even a cozy weeknight meal. The combination of savory and smoky flavors, along with the rich creamy texture, makes this recipe a must-try for anyone who enjoys hearty, flavorful meals. Whether you’re a fan of traditional Chicken Paprikash or looking to try something new, this pasta version is sure to become a favorite in your household.