Few dishes can match the warmth and comfort of chicken cooked in a rich, velvety paprika cream sauce. This Creamy Chicken Paprika Dream with Rice brings together tender seared chicken breasts, a luscious sauce infused with paprika, onions, and garlic, and a bed of fluffy white rice to soak it all up. It’s simple, flavorful, and deeply satisfying—a dinner that feels indulgent without requiring hours in the kitchen.

This recipe is inspired by Central and Eastern European cuisine, where paprika often plays the starring role in hearty stews and sauces. Here, the spice takes on a gentler form: balanced with cream and broth, it creates a sauce that’s both comforting and elegant, ideal for cozy dinners or even special occasions.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-skillet convenience: Aside from cooking the rice, the chicken and sauce come together in a single pan. Less mess, less cleanup.

• Balanced flavors: Sweet paprika brings warmth without overwhelming heat, while the cream adds smooth richness.

• Versatile: Easily adaptable—serve with rice, pasta, or even mashed potatoes.

• Restaurant quality, weeknight easy: Ready in about 35 minutes, but with flavors that taste like they’ve been simmering for hours.

Whether you’re new to cooking with paprika or already love its smoky-sweet aroma, this dish will become a regular on your dinner table.

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Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 25 minutes

• Servings: 2

• Calories per serving: ~600 kcal

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Ingredients

Chicken

• 2 chicken breasts

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Paprika Cream Sauce

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup chicken broth

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Rice

• 1 cup white rice

• 2 cups water

• Pinch of salt

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Rice

Start by preparing the rice so it’s ready when your chicken and sauce are done. Bring 2 cups of water with a pinch of salt to a boil. Add the rice, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until tender and fluffy. Keep covered until ready to serve.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Season both chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 5–7 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Paprika Cream Sauce

In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and slightly golden. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle in the paprika, stir well to release its aroma, then pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Allow the sauce to simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and simmer for another 2 minutes so the flavors meld. Serve the chicken hot over fluffy rice, generously drizzled with the paprika cream sauce.

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Tips and Variations

• Add smoked paprika: Swap part of the sweet paprika for smoked paprika if you’d like a deeper, more rustic flavor.

• Use chicken thighs: Boneless, skinless thighs also work beautifully and stay extra juicy.

• Make it vegetarian: Replace the chicken with sautéed mushrooms or grilled tofu for a satisfying plant-based option.

• Try different sides: This dish pairs well with buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or even couscous if you’d like to switch it up.

• Add vegetables: Steamed green beans, roasted carrots, or sautéed spinach add color and nutrients to the plate.

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Why Paprika Works So Well

Paprika is more than just a colorful garnish—it’s a spice that brings complexity to a dish. Made from ground red peppers, it comes in varieties ranging from sweet to hot to smoked. In this recipe, sweet paprika is the star. Its mild, slightly fruity flavor balances the richness of the cream, creating a sauce that’s indulgent without being overpowering.

If you’re a fan of smoky flavors, a touch of smoked paprika can transform this into something reminiscent of Hungarian classics like chicken paprikash, with a more robust depth.

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Nutritional Benefits

Even though this dish feels like comfort food, it offers a balance of macronutrients:

• Protein: Lean chicken breasts provide high-quality protein for muscle repair and satiety.

• Carbohydrates: White rice serves as the perfect base, delivering energy and pairing well with the creamy sauce.

• Healthy fats: Olive oil and cream add richness while supporting flavor and texture.

• Micronutrients: Paprika provides antioxidants like vitamin A and carotenoids, while onions and garlic offer immune-boosting properties.

Each serving is about 600 calories, making it a hearty yet balanced option for lunch or dinner.

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Serving Suggestions

This recipe is versatile enough to dress up or down depending on the occasion:

• Casual weeknight: Serve as-is with a side salad for a quick, balanced meal.

• Dinner party: Plate the chicken with a drizzle of extra sauce, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve alongside roasted vegetables for a more elegant presentation.

• Comfort food craving: Swap the rice for mashed potatoes, which soak up the creamy paprika sauce beautifully.

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Wine Pairings

The creamy paprika sauce calls for wines that can balance richness while complementing the spice:

• White wines: A dry Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc adds brightness and acidity to cut through the cream.

• Red wines: A light Pinot Noir or Grenache pairs nicely with the paprika’s warmth without overpowering the dish.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes. The paprika cream sauce can be prepared and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently before serving, and add a splash of broth or cream if it thickens too much.

2. Can I use milk instead of cream?
You can substitute milk, but the sauce will be lighter and less rich. For a middle ground, try half-and-half.

3. Is this dish spicy?
Not at all—sweet paprika adds flavor and color without significant heat. For a spicy kick, you can add a pinch of hot paprika or cayenne.

4. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, but cream sauces can sometimes separate when reheated. If freezing, store the chicken and rice separately from the sauce, and reheat slowly while stirring.

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Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken Paprika Dream with Rice is proof that comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few everyday ingredients—chicken, cream, paprika, and rice—you can create a dish that feels indulgent, wholesome, and full of flavor. The balance of savory chicken, silky sauce, and fluffy rice makes it a perfect weeknight dinner while still impressive enough to serve at a gathering.

Once you try it, you may find yourself returning to this recipe again and again. It’s one of those rare dishes that feels like home no matter when or where you serve it.