Description

This Baked Cream Chicken with Paprika Glow is a comforting, family-friendly meal perfect for hectic weeknights, featuring tender chicken in a rich, velvety paprika sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp sweet paprika
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prep Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels, then season generously with salt and pepper until well-coated.
Sear Chicken: Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a 10-inch cast iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly crispy (sear in batches if pan is crowded).
Sauté Aromatics: Remove seared chicken and set aside. Add chopped onion to the same pan, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic for another minute until fragrant.
Build Sauce: Whisk in 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour, cooking for 1 minute until nutty. Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth until smooth. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 1 Tbsp sweet paprika. Bring to a gentle simmer until slightly thickened.
Bake Chicken: Return seared chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the creamy paprika sauce. Transfer to a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (165°F (74°C)) and sauce is bubbly.
Rest and Serve: Carefully remove skillet from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to redistribute juices.

Notes

Use fresh garlic, onion, and vibrant paprika for the best flavor. For a lighter sauce, swap half the heavy cream for Greek yogurt or sour cream. This recipe can be made gluten-free with 1:1 gluten-free flour, or dairy-free by replacing heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream. For a lower-carb meal, serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Pre-cut chicken or preparing the sauce ahead of time can help save valuable prep time.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx 300 g)
Calories: 550 calories
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 550 mg
Fat: 40 g
Saturated Fat: 18 g
Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 45 g
Cholesterol: 180 mg

Keywords: easy dinner, weeknight meal, creamy chicken, paprika, baked chicken, comfort food, family-friendly, quick meal, chicken thighs