Description
Creamy Paprika Chicken Drumsticks with Steamed Rice is a rich and comforting main dish featuring tender roasted chicken coated in a smoky, creamy paprika sauce. Served over fluffy white rice, this easy yet elegant recipe delivers bold flavor and satisfying texture—perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
For the sauce:
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)
For serving:
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken drumsticks dry and season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear drumsticks on all sides until golden, about 5–6 minutes.
- Transfer skillet to the oven and roast for 20–25 minutes until fully cooked.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until soft and translucent.
- Stir in thyme, red pepper flakes, and flour. Cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and simmer until slightly thickened.
- Add heavy cream, tomato paste, and Dijon mustard. Simmer for 5–6 minutes until smooth. Stir in parsley.
- Return cooked chicken to the stovetop. Pour sauce over drumsticks and simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Serve hot over steamed white rice and garnish with extra parsley.
Notes
Cook drumsticks to around 185°F for the best tender texture.
Sauce may appear pink at first but deepens in color as it cooks.
Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version.
This sauce is delicious doubled and reused for pasta or leftovers.
Boneless chicken thighs can be used as an alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting, Stovetop
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg