Description
Creamy Paprika Zucchini Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts nestled in a creamy paprika-spiced sauce with sautéed zucchini, onions, and bell peppers. Perfect over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes, this comforting skillet meal is a perfect weeknight dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Vegetables and Sauce
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Serving Suggestion
- Cooked rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them with a meat mallet until they are about 1/2 inch thick to ensure even cooking.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Rub this spice blend evenly all over the chicken breasts.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove and Rest: Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm while preparing the sauce and vegetables.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sliced red bell pepper, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the Zucchini: Add the sliced zucchini to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender but still crisp.
- Create the Sauce: Stir in the sweet paprika, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for about 1 minute to toast the spices and enhance their flavor.
- Add the Broth and Cream: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. To thicken the sauce optionally, whisk the all-purpose flour with a tablespoon of cold water to create a slurry, then slowly add it to the simmering sauce while stirring continuously until slightly thickened. Next, stir in the heavy cream and sour cream, reduce heat to low, and let the sauce simmer gently for a few minutes to meld flavors.
- Season to Taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Slice the Chicken: Slice the rested chicken breasts into thin strips or bite-sized pieces for easy serving.
- Combine and Heat: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet with the sauce and vegetables. Gently stir to coat the chicken evenly with the creamy sauce and warm through for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the creamy paprika zucchini chicken immediately over cooked rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free thickening agent like cornstarch or omit it completely for a thinner sauce.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the level of heat in the dish or omit them for a milder flavor.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier result.
- Serve this dish over your choice of starch such as rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be gently reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: paprika chicken, creamy chicken recipe, zucchini chicken skillet, easy chicken dinner, stovetop chicken recipe
