Spicy Paprika Chicken and Potato Stew

Updated January 6, 2026

Rachel Vanni for The New York Times
Ready In
45 min
Rating
5(480)
Comments
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Simmering boneless skinless chicken breasts in a spicy-sweet tomato stew is a reliable and delicious path to a quick chicken dinner. Here, the chicken is cooked in a flavorful base of tender vegetables, savory chicken broth, spicy hot paprika and, of course, tomato. Taking cues from chicken paprikash, it's at once comforting, warming and lively. Fresh dill and sour cream are optional, but they add a cool, tangy lift and herbal brightness, softening the heat and rounding out the stew.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving 

  • 2 cups finely diced yellow onion (from about 1 large onion) 

  • 2 tablespoons finely grated garlic (from about 6 large cloves)

  • Salt and pepper 

  • 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon hot paprika (see Tip)

  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

  • 1½ pounds golden potatoes cut into 1-inch chunks or cubes

  • 4 cups chicken stock

  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes 

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), halved crosswise

  • Fresh dill (optional), coarsely chopped or torn, for serving 

  • Sour cream (optional), for serving 

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

67 grams carbs; 92 milligrams cholesterol; 547 calories; 7 grams monosaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 15 grams fat; 11 grams fiber; 1934 milligrams sodium; 41 grams protein; 19 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium pot or 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven over medium. Add the onions and garlic and season with ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are softened and shrunk down by half, about 5 minutes. 

  2. Step 2

    Stir in the paprika and tomato paste, making sure they coat the onions well. Add the potatoes, then stir in the chicken stock and crushed tomatoes. 

  3. Step 3

    Bring to a simmer, then add the chicken breast pieces, making sure they’re fully submerged. Simmer, occasionally turning and rearranging the chicken pieces so they cook evenly, until just cooked through, about 9 minutes, then transfer them to a plate to rest. 

  4. Step 4

    Continue simmering the vegetable mixture until the potatoes are tender, 4 to 5 minutes, then turn the heat to low. Shred the chicken then stir the chicken back into the pot. Season with salt and pepper and return to a simmer. Taste and season more with salt and pepper as needed. Turn off the heat. 

  5. Step 5

    To serve, ladle the stew into bowls. If desired, top with the dill and a generous dollop of sour cream and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and some black pepper.

    Tip
    • If you don’t have hot paprika, you can use sweet paprika instead and add cayenne to taste.

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    Ratings

    5 out of 5
    480 user ratings
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    Comments

    TIP: If you don’t have hot paprika, you can use sweet paprika instead and add cayenne to taste.

    Until the tip is revealed, my Hungarian relatives would probably have used Hungarian sweet paprika (edes), which is a lot easier to find anyway. Most paprika found in the supermarket is sweet paprika, unless identified as hot or smoked. You can make the same kind of dish using good quality frankfurters, kielbasa or Polish sausage.

    I added one bunch of coarsely chopped de-stemmed lacinato kale at the end and it added a nice texture, would definitely recommend.

    This was an easy and delicious weeknight dinner on a chilly winter evening. I made it as written with the only modification being half hot paprika and half smoked paprika, which was the perfect mix of a bit of heat and a bit of smoky flavor. As others shared as well, don't skip the sour cream and fresh dill at the end. Will definitely make again!

    Great recipe. Also try deglazing the paste/paprika mixture with a quarter cup of vodka, adds a nice sweetness

    I like spicy food, I can tolerate a lot of heat. My wife does not. I made this recipe with 1 Tbsp of hot paprika and 1 Tbsp & 1 Tsp of sweet. It was way too hot for me, I told her to leave it be. I don't think sour cream will fix this. This would have been great I think with 1 Tsp of hot and a mixture of smoked and sweet for the rest. Very disappointed.

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