This super easy paprika chicken recipe uses on-hand ingredients and is ready in just 15 minutes! It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner with big flavor.
Today's easy paprika chicken is a weeknight dinner winner!
I love this recipe for the big flavor that comes from so few ingredients. And they are ones that are easy to keep on hand so you can throw this together any ole night of the week. And I do, all the time.
And here's my secret tip for cooking chicken on the stove: cut it up!
I think it's way easier to cook chicken strips or pieces than whole breasts. It's faster and more even cooking too.
Also, it's really budget friendly because it stretches the chicken.
You can't serve someone half of a chicken breast (at least not without insulting them) but once you've cut it up, you can easily get away with using 3 chicken breasts for 4 people.
I do love when easy and budget-friendly get together for a delicious dinner party at my table.
Check out this easy chicken piccata for another go-to quick dinner. Or honey mustard chicken for another 15-minute skillet dinner that's very family-friendly.
Or if you love these flavors, this baked paprika chicken is a great variation.
Ingredient Notes:
Chicken: We're using boneless, skinless chicken breasts here. You could also substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
Paprika: I use and prefer regular paprika for this dish. You could also try it with half regular and half smoked paprika if you'd like.
Poultry seasoning: This is a mix of herbs you can buy in the spice aisle of the grocery store that adds great depth of flavor to the chicken.
Olive oil: It's my go-to, but you are welcome to substitute canola oil or avocado oil in its place.
Lemon juice: This is squeezed on at the end and really adds a bunch of brightness and flavor. I don't recommend skipping it.
This quick chicken paprika has been a dinner favorite of ours for years. I hope you give it a try and enjoy it as much as we do.
Happy cooking!
XO,
Kathryn
Paprika Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed in ½-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Mix paprika, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the seasoning over the cubed chicken and toss to get it coated on all sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute for 5-6 minutes.
- Stir and turn the chicken pieces over and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until cooked through.
- Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the chicken and serve!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Love!!! I am such a huge paprika (smoked paprika!) fan! And of course chicken 😉 Always delish!
Kathryn says
Thanks Rebecca! This would definitely be fabulous with smoked paprika, too 🙂
Ali @ Home & Plate says
Such an easy recipe and I know that my kids would love this. A squeeze of lemon is the perfect addition.
Kathryn says
Thanks Ali! It's a great weeknight go-to!
Bob says
Great, thanks for the help, my children might like lemon as well.
lisa @ garlicandzest.com says
This looks really straight forward and easy! Thanks for sharing!
Kathryn says
Thanks Lisa! It's a great dinner option for those crazy days 😉
Renz says
I haven't had this in a while.. I looove paparika chicken. The smokey flavor is amazing. SImple recipe with bold flavor!!
Kathryn says
Thanks so much Renz! It's definitely in the regular rotation here!
The Food Hunter says
Another yummy chicken recipe to add to my collection!
Kathryn says
Thanks! I hope you love it!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Hahaha... I can just imagine your little one trying to say "Paprika" - too cute!! Loving this paprika chicken, Kathryn! Simple to prepare and packed with flavor - WINNING! And I agree on cutting up chicken, definitely goes further and absolutely easier to cook. LOVE this dish! Cheers, my dear and happy Friday!
Kathryn says
I made him say it again this morning and now it's devolved into "re-ga-ga-ga" and a giggle. Silly little boy! Hope you have a wonderful weekend lovely!
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry says
Delicious, Kathryn! I love paprika (both the sweet and smoked varieties), and am always adding them to bean dishes for that extra bit of flavour. I bet it would be so good with chicken too. Love that you have served this up with brown rice, our go-to side as well. We have it almost every single night with dinner without fail, and chicken is for dinner at least three times a week for us, so this would fit right in with our menu! Yum!
Kathryn says
Lisa, we are the same way! Lots of chicken around here and I love having some easy go-to ways to prepare it, like this, that give big flavor with minimum effort!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
WOW love the sounds of this. I happen to have like 4 different kinds of paprika....would love to try them all on this. Perfect for an easy and quick weeknight dinner.
Kathryn says
4 kinds of paprika?! That's awesome Gloria! This would definitely be a fun way to use them - you could compare each one 🙂
GiGi Eats says
Paprika on Chicken or Eggs - OMFG I ADORE IT SOOO MUCH! Whomever doesn't like paprika, is not my friend LOL!
Kathryn says
I'm with you on that! Paprika is so delicious, how can you not like it?! Love the idea of sprinkling it on eggs, too - yum!
simonacallas says
This recipe is so mouthwatering! We love chicken and rice, and this is not only easy and budget-friendly but also a healthy meal, so I'm on it! 🙂
Kathryn says
Thanks! Chicken and rice is one of our favorite combos too 🙂
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
First of all, thanks for the smile over the paprika pronunciation! And second, paprika and chicken is one of my favorite combos, so I will definitely be trying this out!
Kathryn says
Yay, I love this combo too 🙂 Thanks Kate!
Susan says
I am always looking for new ways to pump up chicken bites, and this looks scrumptious! Can hardly wait to try paprika and poultry seasoning together. Thanks for sharing.
Kathryn says
Thanks Susan! We love this for an easy, fast weeknight dinner!
Karly says
This looks AMAZING! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Kathryn says
Thanks Karly 🙂
Frugal Hausfrau says
We had a version of paprika chicken all the time when I was growing up and it was a huge hit - i love this pan version! Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Kathryn says
Thanks Mollie! I hope you try this super fast and easy version 🙂
Helen Fern says
That certainly looks tasty! Thanks for sharing on the "What's for Dinner" link up!
Kathryn says
Thanks Helen!
Kate says
Something went terribly wrong.... I followed the recipe exactly and it was SO salty and dry, I had to throw it away.
Kathryn says
I'm so sorry to hear that Kate - I know that's both frustrating and disappointing. I haven't made this in a while and have it on my menu in a couple of weeks so I'll check it out and see if the recipe needs adjusting.
Carol says
I made this last night. I didn't have poultry seasoning on hand nor did I have all the spices I needed to make homemade poultry seasoning. I did the best I could though with what I had on-hand. I also cut the amount of salt in half and used sea salt instead of kosher. It turned out wonderful. It seems to be a very forgiving recipe if you don't have all the ingredients. Will definitely make this again.
Kathryn says
I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it Carol! I made this again recently and we still love it - even my picky 7-year-old! Also, I've decreased the amount of salt in the recipe from the original to be just 1/2 teaspoon. Glad you'll be having it again! 😊
ashley manila says
I can't wait to try this! Yum!
Kathryn says
I hope you love it!
Carolyn says
I love how easy this is to make, perfect for weeknight dinner recipes!
Kathryn says
It really is! Hope you try it!
Lindsay says
This was AMAZING!!! My kids are already requesting it again for dinner
Kathryn says
Oh yay! I'm so happy to hear you all loved it! Thanks so much for sharing! 😊
Michelle says
First of all your 2 year old sounds adorable. I miss those days mine is almost 14. Second of all I was wondering how can I make sure I have enough pan sauce for 4 people to have on their rice besides what's on the chicken. Third do you know if smoked or regular paprika will bother someone who has acid reflux? Thanks
Kathryn Doherty says
Aww, thanks - and haha, I miss those days too now (he just turned 7)! So there's really just a small bit of pan sauce (mainly from any liquid given off during cooking plus the lemon juice at the end). If you wanted to create more of one, I'd suggest also adding some low-sodium chicken broth and letting that simmer and pick up the flavor of the seasoned chicken. Also, not sure about paprika and acid reflux but regular paprika is more mild than the smoked version, so it might be a safer bet. Hope that helps!
L.K says
This is in my regular rotation now! So good and quick and easy! I use smoked paprika and I cook it in the air fryer. Leftovers are great for salad or quesadillas.
Kathryn Doherty says
Yay! I love that it's a regular in your house, too! Definitely one of my go-to recipes. And love the idea of using leftovers for quesadillas! : )