This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission.
How would you like a delicious Chicken Paprikash recipe that’s been made a tad leaner? Made with chicken breasts instead of the traditional thighs and legs, this recipe is not only lower on calories, it is also so much quicker.
Serve this chicken with our Baked Mashed Potatoes and Homemade Bread.
Traditional Chicken Paprikash is one of my favourite meals to sit down to as a family. It’s delicious and comforting. Chicken braised in a rich sauce flavoured with paprika and enriched with sour cream is a delight.
It can be a bit heavy and calorie-laden. So I was determined to lightened it up. And after a few trials I ended up with something incredibly delicious even though not entirely authentic.
Lighter Version of Chicken Paprikash
Traditionally chicken paprikash is made with chicken legs and thighs that need to be fried first in order to crisp up the skin, which means ….more fat. Then it’s braised in a rich paprika sauce.
I wanted to avoid frying the chicken, so I chose boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead. And to make things even lighter I used half the amount of chicken. Then I added red peppers for some needed vitamins.
I scaled down on the oil and sour cream to reduce the calories. Not only is this chicken paprikash healthy, it is also economical!
To bulk up the dish I added canned chickpeas. If you are a chickpea fan like myself, I don’t need to convince you what a great texture they add. Also being simmered in Hungarian paprika sauce makes them off the scale flavourful…little smoky nuggets of goodness.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Sear sliced chicken strips over high heat to brown the meat. This step adds extra flavour to the chicken and the sauce.
- Do the same with red peppers. We want to see some colour on them.
- Use paprika that is still potent and fragrant. Dried spices do go out of date, so make sure to check the expiration date.
- Use full fat sour cream as low fat tends to separate in sauces. Also stir in sour cream at the end and take off the heat immediate to keep the sauce from curdling.
Serving suggestions
Serve this creamy paprikash with rice, noodles or mashed potatoes. A salad or vegetables on the side can also be welcome to offset the creaminess of the main dish.
I’m also a fan of adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving for a little colour and freshness. A pinch of black pepper can also be a great way to finish it off.
Storage and leftovers
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator and enjoy within three days.
This paprikash also freezes beautifully—just place it in an This is an affiliate link.airtight container and keep it for up to three months. When ready to use, thaw completely, reheat, and enjoy within 48 hours.
To reheat, warm gently in a This is an affiliate link.saucepan on the stove or pop it in the microwave until heated through.
More chicken breast recipes
Better Chicken and Chickpea Paprikash
Equipment
- This is an affiliate link.Cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp This is an affiliate link.olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless, sliced in strips
- 1 red bell pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp This is an affiliate link.sweet paprika, or This is an affiliate link.smoked paprika
- 3 tbsp flour
- 375ml/1 1/2 cups This is an affiliate link.chicken stock
- 400ml/14oz canned diced tomatoes
- 400ml/14 oz canned chickpeas, drained
- 125ml/1/2 cup sour cream or creme fraiche, full fat
- flat leaf parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cut chicken breast in strips and season with salt and pepper.
- In a large pan sear chicken strips in olive oil until just sealed but not completely cooked, approximately for 5-7 minutes. Remove to a plate.
- Add sliced pepper and stir fry over medium-high heat until slightly charred but still crispy. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to low and add chopped onion. Cook for 5-7 minutes until soft, add garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute.
- Add paprika and flour, stir to combine until you have a red paste.
- Whisk chicken stock in until the paste is completely blended into it. You might want to add 1/2 cup first and whisk, then the rest of the stock to avoid lumps.
- Add diced tomatoes.
- Return chicken to the pan and add chickpeas. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down, cover with a lid and simmer for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes uncover your chicken paprikash, stir in sour cream, add red peppers and take off the heat immediately to avoid sour cream separating.
- Taste and add more salt if necessary.
- Serve sprinkled with chopped flat leaf parsley and steaming rice or noodles.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi, I am making this tonight and I have made loads. Do you know if I can freeze it?
Hi Jess, it might separate when you reheat it from frozen because of sour cream in the sauce.
Ok thanks. It was lovely by the way ????
Happy to hear it and you are welcome!
This looks amaaaazing! I came here by way of the link to your Coq Au Chardonnay posted in Reddit Food, but I’ve ended up bookmarking a few recipes, including this one. Can’t wait to make it!
Than you for stopping by, Cheney! Happy to hear you loved my recipes. ๐
My husband LOVES this. Served with egg noodles. Next time, bread too, to soak up the sauce. My husband nearly licked the plate. He definitely wants this again.
Sounds fabulous, Jeanne! The sauce is really the best part! ๐
kinda average…
average instructions, but for the most part…if your gonna imitate chicken tikka masala, you should have a little more than one spice included and paprika is not it…
next…
Umm…chicken paprikash is a Hungarian recipe and has nothing to do with chicken masala…really confused by this comment.
I think you should read the name of the recipe before giving a negative review…….big difference between this recipe and Tikka Masala……next๐
Hahaha…thanks, Tammy!
I only have the regular paprika, will this be ok to use?
The dish won’t have the smoky taste but it will still be delicious, Karen.
Looking forward to making this tonight!!! Do you drain the tomatoes or no?? I’m assuming you drain and rinse the chickpeas…
Thanks!!!
Hi Kelly, I drain chickpeas but I don’t drain tomatoes. You need some liquid for the sauce. ๐
Hi, we had this for dinner tonight and it was delicious!! We had it with Hungarian/German Spaetzel noodles, worked really well. Thanks for a great recipe!
It does sound delicious with German spaetzel! So glad you enjoyed it, Julia!
Yumm!!!looks so good!! And such common ingridients yet so different!! I will make it for sure this weekend!!
Thank you, Kristina! You are right very simple ingredients but quite complex and unique flavour in the end. We loved it!
My mouth is watering, how I wish this was dinner tonight!
I wish you could come for dinner, Laura!
That is one stunning skillet and I love that lightened up is even better!!
Thank you, Jennifer! I love it when lightened up dishes turn out even tastier than the original!
It sure was beautiful! I made this tonight and it was delicious! Served it over jasmine rice. Yum!! Only thing I changed was I made it with chicken thighs because that’s what I had on hand. Loved it!
Sounds wonderful, Mikel! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it!