Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken Recipe (2025)

Being a busy mom often means juggling a myriad of tasks, from work commitments to family responsibilities. Enter the trusty slow cooker and easy recipes!

One of my family’s favorite dishes is the slow cooker paprika chicken, which we enjoy all year round thanks to the slow cooker.

Blessed with the smoky flavor of paprika, it delivers a taste treasure that crosses over seasonal boundaries.

The slow cooker makes it simple to prepare—it’s as easy as tossing in the ingredients and letting it do its magic. so let me show you how to do it!

Key Takeaways

• Cook Time: High – 4 hours; Medium – 6; Low – 8
• Main Ingredients: Chicken drumsticks or thighs, russet potatoes, carrots, onion, paprika, butter, Worcestershire, and more
• Servings: 6
• Extras: Use these tender chicken thighs to make a taco bar or serve over egg noodles for a classic dish
• Tip: If you’re not a fan of cooking bone-in, you can cut bones out easily or pay a little extra for boneless chicken thighs

Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken Recipe

This Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika isn’t your normal type of dump-it-in-the-crockpot recipe.

Fall-off-the-bone drumsticks, potatoes, carrots, and a paprika sauce made from the juice and sour cream – this recipe is PACKED with flavors and texture. It’s a new hit in our house!

Like most “dump” recipes, it really doesn’t get much easier than this. Just throw the ingredients in, turn it on and get on with your day.

This meal has the sides and vegetables mixed right in – so it’s truly a one-dish meal.

Pop the chicken thighs or drumsticks into the bottom of the slow cooker. Then peel and chop the carrots to your liking, slice the onions, and toss it all in the slow cooker.

It doesn’t even matter what order you layer the ingredients for slow cooker chicken paprika. Once you add the spices, stir everything together so that the spices and butter are evenly distributed.

Then, just turn your slow cooker on to get it cooked low and slow through the day.

When it’s done and ready to eat, simply remove the chicken and the vegetables with a slotted spoon. With the liquid left in the crockpot, add 1/4 cup of sour cream and blend with a whisk.

The sour cream cuts the acidity of the sauce and makes it a bit more creamy, almost like a paprika sauce. Super good.

Serving It Up

When it comes to serving my Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken, the possibilities are both delicious and plentiful.

Typically, I plate the tender chicken thighs and vegetables in the center of a large serving platter and drizzle the creamy paprika sauce over the top.

For a fun twist, consider serving the paprika chicken in individual bowls over a bed of mashed potatoes or egg noodles.

The potatoes or egg noodles would soak up the rich, flavorful sauce, making each bite incredibly satisfying and filling with some starch as a base.

Another cool idea is to serve the paprika chicken in a hollowed-out bread bowl. The crusty bread complements the creamy sauce, and you can eat the bowl right along with your meal.

To elevate the dinner experience, you could also create a paprika chicken taco bar. This interactive dining option allows everyone to make a taco as they like, making dinner fun and hands-on.

Shred the chicken thighs off the bone and serve it with soft tortillas, offering an array of toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lime.

Finally, remember to pair your dishes with a fresh, crisp side salad tossed in a light vinaigrette. The salad’s acidity and crunch provide a perfect contrast to the rich and creamy paprika chicken.

Recipe Substitutes

Feel free to get creative and tailor the dish to your family’s taste preferences.

The beauty of slow cooker recipes is their flexibility and ease. They allow you to experiment until you find the perfect flavor combination!

Here are some recipe substitutes I’ve seen that you may be interested in:

Swap Out the Meat

One of the great things about this recipe is its versatility. If you want to change it up, you can easily substitute chicken thighs or drumsticks for different cuts of chicken or even turkey.

I use bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks, but you could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if that’s your preference.

For a leaner option, try using boneless, skinless chicken breasts or turkey breasts. These cuts absorb the paprika and other spices beautifully, resulting in a rich, flavorful dish.

I use thighs or drumsticks more often because the dark meat stays juicier in the crock pot. Just keep in mind that leaner cuts might require slightly less cook time to avoid drying out.

Add Spice for a Kick

If you like your meals with a bit of heat, consider adding some extra spice to your Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken.

A teaspoon of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes can give the dish a nice kick. For an even bolder flavor, try adding a diced jalapeño or a splash of hot sauce.

Another option is to use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika, which will add a deeper, smoky heat to your dish.

Experiment with Other Flavors

To further spice up your Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken, think about incorporating other herbs and spices. For a Mediterranean twist, add some garlic, rosemary, and thyme.

If you’re in the mood for something different, a tablespoon of curry powder can bring an exotic flair to the dish. You could also mix in some fresh ginger and soy sauce for an Asian-inspired version.

Don’t forget about the vegetables, either. Try adding bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients.

These additions will not only enhance the flavor but also increase the nutrient profile of the meal.

Other Slow Cooker Recipes

If you like this paprika chicken recipe, you might be interested in 40 other slow cooker dump recipes that are AMAZING! 

Of course, I have plenty more slow cooker chicken recipes to get your dinner on the table fast and with less effort.

If slow cooker paprika chicken sounds good, you should also try my chicken paprikash– I’d say a chicken paprikash recipe to paprika chicken, but I added a BBQ twist for fun that my daughters love!

FAQs

How do I serve Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika?

I typically plate the chicken and vegetables on a large serving platter and drizzle the creamy paprika sauce over the top.

Alternatively, you can serve the chicken over a bed of mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or even in a hollowed-out bread bowl for a fun twist.

For a more interactive meal, consider setting up a paprika chicken taco bar with soft tortillas and a variety of toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, and fresh herbs.

What sides go well with Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika?

A fresh, crisp side salad tossed in a light vinaigrette complements the rich and creamy paprika chicken perfectly.

Additionally, steamed vegetables such as green beans or broccoli make excellent side dishes. If you’re looking for a heartier option, consider serving the chicken with garlic bread or crusty rolls.

Can Slow Cooker Chicken Paprika be meal prepped for the freezer?

Absolutely! This recipe is perfect for meal prepping.

Simply add all the ingredients (except the sour cream) into a large freezer-safe bag, mix to distribute the spices, and seal.

When you’re ready to cook, thaw the bag overnight in the refrigerator, then pour the contents into your slow cooker and follow the cooking instructions.

Just make sure the contents of the bag are fully thawed before adding it to the crock pot!

Can I use different cuts of chicken?

Certainly! While I usually use tender chicken thighs or drumsticks, you can substitute different cuts of chicken or even turkey.

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and absorb the spices beautifully. If you prefer a leaner option, consider using boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

If you want to go a step further, you can even swap meats entirely and get lean turkey breasts to toss in the crockpot.

How can I make the dish spicier?

If you like your meals with a bit of heat, consider adding a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the mixture.

For an even bolder flavor, try adding a diced jalapeño or a splash of hot sauce. Smoked paprika can also add a deeper, smoky heat to your dish.

Final Thoughts

Embrace the joy of easy, fuss-free cooking with my slow-cooker paprika chicken—it’s comfort food at its finest, loved by kids and adults alike.

The slow cooker works its magic, and you can enjoy precious family moments with a comforting, delicious meal.

Try it once, and it’s bound to become a household staple, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime.

There’s nothing quite like watching your kids’ faces light up with every bite, knowing that the love and effort they put into the meal make it special.

Have you grabbed my Chaos to Control Starter Guide yet? I might be biased, but I think it’s pretty amazing! Check it out!

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Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Brittany Kline

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 2-3 lbs. chicken drumsticks or thighs
• 3-4 russet potatoes peeled and chopped into cubes
• 2-3 carrots peeled and chopped into chunks
• 1 onion sliced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 Tbsp paprika
• 2 Tbsp butter cut into cubes
• 1 tsp Worcestershire
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 Chicken Bouillon cube
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions

• Add all ingredients (except the sour cream) into the slow cooker.
• Mix to evenly distribute the spices.
• Cook on high for 4 hours (or medium for 6, or low for 8).
• Remove chicken and vegetables from the slow cooker.
• Add sour cream to the remaining liquid and whisk to make a paprika sauce/gravy.
• Pour some of the paprika sauce over the top of the chicken and vegetables and serve.