Light And Creamy Chicken Paprikash

This lightened up version of the classic Hungarian dish, Chicken Paprikash, hits the spot.

This traditional Hungarian dish features chicken thighs or breasts simmered in a creamy paprika sauce. I’ve lightened up to make it Weight Watchers friendly

I chose to accompany it with cauliflower rice which turned out really nice.

Chicken Paprikash Overview

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Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (300 g.)

1 WW Point Per Serving

Ingredients In Chicken Paprikash:

• 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, 800 g.
• 1 cup chicken broth, 240 ml
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (for dredging), 25 g.
• ¼ teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon oil (vegetable or olive oil)
• 1 cup plain yogurt, 245 g.
• 1 cup grated tomato, 180 g.
• 1 red bell pepper, diced, 100 g.
• 1 onion, chopped, 150 g.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season them generously with salt and pepper. 

2. Dredge in Flour: In a shallow dish, place the flour. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour until evenly coated, shaking off any excess flour. 

3. Brown the Chicken: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

4. Saute Onions and Peppers: In the same skillet, add the chopped onions and diced red bell pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened and slightly caramelized, about 5-6 minutes. 

5. Add Spices: Sprinkle the hot paprika flakes, sweet paprika, and garlic powder over the onions and peppers. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional minute to toast the spices and release their flavors. 

6. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits. Bring the broth to a simmer. 

7. Return Chicken to Skillet: Carefully return the browned chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. 

8. Simmer: Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. 

9. Finish with Yogurt: Once the chicken is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the plain yogurt and grated tomato until well combined, creating a creamy sauce. 

10. Serve: Serve the Chicken Paprikash hot, garnished with fresh parsley or chopped chives if desired. Enjoy your homemade Chicken Paprikash, a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion!

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe welcomes variations, here are some ideas:

Mushroom Variation: Adding sliced mushrooms to the sauce can enhance its texture.

1. Potato Version: Instead of serving Chicken Paprikash with cauliflower rice, try it with boiled or mashed potatoes for a heartier meal.

2. Incorporating Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes can add a sweet and tangy flavor to the sauce, elevating its complexity. 

3. Pork Option: While traditionally made with chicken, Chicken Paprikash can also be prepared with pork, cut into small pieces.

Tips and Tricks Section

Here are a few more tips to enhance your Chicken Paprikash experience:

1. Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, so be patient and let the dish simmer gently. 

2. Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasoning accordingly. Remember, the quality of paprika can vary, so you may need to add more or less depending on its potency. 

3. For added depth of flavor, consider using a combination of sweet, smoked, and hot paprika to achieve the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. 

4. Serve Chicken Paprikash hot, garnished with fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream for a touch of creaminess.

WW Points

Uncooked boneless skin-less chicken breast 0 points
Onion 0 points
Red bell pepper 0 points
Tomato 0 points
Paprika 1 point
Olive oil 1 point
Garlic powder 0 points
All-purpose flour 3 points
Chicken broth 0 points
Plain fat free yogurt 0 points
Black pepper 0 points
Red pepper flakes 0 points