This Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken is the definition of a cozy, comforting dinner. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, the dish transforms into a rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful meal thanks to the magic of long, slow cooking. The combination of sweet and smoked paprika, tender chicken, and a velvety tomato-based sauce makes it perfect for cooler nights or a stress-free weeknight meal.
Best served over buttery mashed potatoes or steamed rice, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy. The slow cooking method locks in moisture and infuses every bite with bold, savory flavor. It’s a fuss-free option that feels indulgent, ideal for feeding the whole family or impressing guests with minimal effort.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 large brown onion, sliced
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3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
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1 tablespoon sweet paprika
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1 tablespoon plain flour
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800g chicken thigh fillets, trimmed
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400g can diced tomatoes
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1/2 cup chicken stock
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2 tablespoons tomato paste
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1 bay leaf
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1/4 cup sour cream
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Chopped fresh parsley, to serve
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Cooked rice or mash, to serve
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened (about 3–4 minutes).
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Stir in sweet and smoked paprika and flour. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
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Add chicken and toss to coat. Transfer to a slow cooker.
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Add diced tomatoes, chicken stock, tomato paste, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well.
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Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours, until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
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Remove bay leaf. Stir in sour cream just before serving.
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Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with rice or mashed potatoes.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high) | Total Time: 6 hrs 10 min
Kcal: 410 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Origins and Inspiration Behind the Dish
Paprika Chicken has its roots in Eastern Europe, particularly Hungary, where paprika is more than just a spice—it’s a national treasure. Hungarian cuisine is known for its bold, savory, and slightly smoky flavors, and this dish encapsulates all of those qualities. Traditional Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke) is typically prepared with bone-in chicken, simmered on the stovetop in a rich sauce made from onions, garlic, sweet paprika, and sour cream.
Our slow cooker adaptation draws from that tradition but simplifies the process, making it more accessible to everyday cooks. Using boneless chicken thighs allows for quicker preparation and easier serving, while still delivering tender, flavorful results. The use of both sweet and smoked paprika gives the dish a balanced depth—slightly sweet, slightly smoky, and unmistakably comforting.
Why Use a Slow Cooker?
There’s a reason the slow cooker has remained a beloved kitchen appliance for decades. It transforms even the simplest ingredients into deeply flavorful, satisfying meals. In this recipe, the slow cooker allows the chicken to absorb all the flavors of the tomato-based sauce, paprika, and aromatics over several hours, resulting in meat that is incredibly tender and infused with bold flavor.
Additionally, the slow cooker frees you from having to stand over a hot stove. You simply prep the ingredients, let the appliance do its work, and come back to a ready-made meal. It’s perfect for people with busy schedules, families with kids, or anyone who just loves the ease of a one-pot dish that practically cooks itself.
Flavor Profile: Smoky, Savory, and Creamy
What makes Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken truly stand out is its bold, rich flavor. Paprika, the starring spice, adds warmth and color without being overly spicy. The combination of sweet paprika and smoked paprika gives the sauce a multilayered taste. Sweet paprika offers a mild, peppery flavor with natural sweetness, while smoked paprika introduces a deeper, woodsy aroma.
The addition of tomato paste and canned tomatoes enhances the sauce with a tangy richness. Toward the end of cooking, a swirl of sour cream is stirred into the sauce, creating a creamy finish that balances the acidity of the tomatoes and smooths out the spice of the paprika. This blend of creamy and savory is what gives the dish its soul-soothing appeal.
Versatile Serving Options
One of the great things about this dish is how easily it pairs with a variety of sides. The most traditional pairing is buttery mashed potatoes, which soak up the sauce beautifully. But you can also serve it over fluffy white rice, egg noodles, couscous, or even creamy polenta, depending on your preferences or dietary needs.
For a lighter option, try serving it with a side of steamed vegetables or a crisp green salad. The sauce is so flavorful that it elevates anything it touches, so you really can’t go wrong.
Meal Prep and Leftover Friendly
Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken isn’t just easy to make—it’s also fantastic for meal prep. It stores well in the refrigerator for up to four days and can be frozen for longer storage. The flavors actually deepen over time, so leftovers taste just as good, if not better, the next day.
To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much. For a quick and satisfying lunch, spoon it over reheated rice or toss with cooked pasta.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Insight
While this dish tastes indulgent, it’s actually quite balanced in terms of nutrition. Chicken thighs provide a good source of protein and essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins. Using skinless thighs reduces the fat content while maintaining moisture and flavor.
Paprika itself is rich in antioxidants, particularly carotenoids like beta-carotene, which support eye health and immune function. Garlic and onions also bring anti-inflammatory properties and support heart health. Adding sour cream provides a bit of calcium and healthy fat, and you can always opt for a reduced-fat version or a dairy-free alternative if needed.
For a lower-carb version, you can serve the chicken with cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles instead of traditional starches.
Tips for Success
While this is a fairly straightforward recipe, a few expert tips can help you achieve the best results:
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Sear if you can: If you have a few extra minutes, searing the chicken briefly in a hot pan before adding it to the slow cooker adds another layer of flavor through caramelization.
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Choose quality paprika: Since paprika is the star of the show, opt for a fresh, high-quality version. Hungarian or Spanish paprika can elevate the dish.
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Don’t skip the sour cream: It’s the final touch that ties everything together. If you’re avoiding dairy, consider using a plant-based cream alternative or even coconut cream for a subtle twist.
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Adjust seasoning at the end: Slow cookers can sometimes mute flavors slightly, so taste the sauce before serving and add salt, pepper, or even a dash of lemon juice if needed.
Perfect for All Occasions
This dish is as appropriate for a weekday family dinner as it is for a casual weekend gathering. It’s easy to double the recipe to feed a crowd, and its familiar, comforting flavor makes it universally appealing. It also presents beautifully when garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and served in a rustic dish.
If you’re hosting a dinner party and want something low-effort but high-impact, Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken is a fantastic choice. Pair it with a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or a Hungarian Egri Bikavér for a themed touch.
A Dish That Grows With You
One of the beauties of a dish like this is that it evolves with your cooking style. As you grow more comfortable in the kitchen, you can experiment with variations—add mushrooms or bell peppers for extra veggies, use bone-in chicken for deeper flavor, or introduce a pinch of cayenne for a spicier kick. The core recipe serves as a reliable base for personalization.
Conclusion: A Modern Comfort Classic
Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken is everything we love about comfort food: it’s rich, warming, satisfying, and incredibly easy to make. With a few pantry staples and a trusty slow cooker, you can create a meal that tastes like it took hours of effort—because it did, but the appliance did all the work for you.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself, feeding your family, or impressing guests, this dish delivers bold flavor with minimal stress. It’s proof that slow-cooked meals can be both practical and gourmet, and it’s sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation.
As you enjoy each creamy, paprika-infused bite, you’re not just tasting a recipe—you’re tasting tradition, comfort, and the joy of simple, thoughtful cooking.