Oven baked 3-ingredient chicken paprikash is the kind of simple, comforting supper that feels like it came from a well-loved family kitchen. Inspired by the classic Hungarian dish, this pared-down version keeps the cozy flavor of paprika and creamy sauce while making it easy enough for a busy weeknight. It is a wonderful recipe to pull out when you want something hearty, dependable, and full of old-fashioned comfort without a long ingredient list.
This dish is especially nice served over buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or fluffy rice to catch every bit of the rich paprika sauce. For something fresh on the side, a simple cucumber salad, green beans, or roasted carrots balance the creamy chicken beautifully, and a piece of crusty bread at the table never goes to waste.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Chicken Paprikash
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
2 1/2 to 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
1 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, stir the sour cream and paprika together until smooth and evenly tinted.
2. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in a lightly greased white ceramic baking dish. Spoon the paprika sour cream mixture over the chicken and spread it gently to coat the pieces as evenly as possible.
3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 20 to 30 minutes more, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
4. Let the dish rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving so the sauce settles a little. Spoon the chicken and sauce over noodles, rice, or potatoes and serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Boneless Version: If your family prefers boneless chicken, use boneless skinless thighs and start checking for doneness about 10 minutes earlier so they stay juicy.
Milder Flavor for Kids: Sweet Hungarian paprika is usually gentle, but if you are serving picky eaters, start with 2 tablespoons and stir a little extra sour cream into the sauce after baking for an even softer flavor.
Add an Onion: If you do not mind stepping beyond the 3-ingredient spirit, scatter a sliced onion under the chicken before baking. It softens into the sauce and adds wonderful sweetness.
Smoother Sauce Tip: Let the sour cream sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before mixing so it blends more smoothly with the paprika and bakes up with a silkier texture.
Make It a Full Sunday Supper: Serve this with egg noodles, a cucumber salad, and warm bread if you want that cozy old-world dinner feeling that makes everyone linger at the table a little longer.