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    Home » Chicken

    Smoked Paprika Chicken

    LAST UPDATED: June 9, 2020 | PUBLISHED: May 3, 2017 | BY: Kim | 3 Comments

    4.94 from 15 votes
    Jump to Recipe
    Smoked Paprika Chicken - pinterest 3

    This Smoked Paprika Chicken recipe is healthy, tasty and so easy to throw together as a convenient weeknight meal.  It takes hardly any time at all to get the spices, salts and breadcrumb mix measured out and into a bowl, then and even less to make a quick and simple egg wash.  Dipping the chicken pieces is the fun part as you can see the spice mix come alive as it colours the meat.

    This crispy smoked paprika chicken is my version of a healthy spicy KFC Chicken!  I love making healthy versions of my favourite takeaways at home, like my Chilli Basil Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, and Cashew Nut Chicken, as well as this very delicious Fish Panang Curry!

    pieces of smoked paprika chicken in a bowl

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    Smokey paprika chicken thighs is one easy dish.  I always have the spices and salts on hand so it’s just a matter of bringing it all together and getting it into the oven.

    Pair it with Garlic Butter Roasted Brussel Sprouts for a complete meal!

    Garlic Paprika chicken with 3 types of paprika

    Getting the perfect baked garlic paprika chicken thighs requires three different types of paprika - and I do recommending using all three, particularly if you enjoy spicy chicken.  If you don't like spicy food, omit the hot paprika.

    In my opinion, the three paprika spices together with the other spices, garlic salt, onion salt, thyme and oregano work together to give it a rich full smoky flavour, that I have not yet come across in any store bought smokey rub I've bought.

    This DIY Smoked paprika rub is so easy to make, and it can be made ahead and kept in an air tight container for weeks at a time.

    preparing the spices for Smoked Chicken Paprika

    How To Make The Perfect Smoked Paprika Chicken Rub with Garlic

    The spice rub on this smoked paprika chicken creates this bright vibrant and blackened, almost crustiness on the outside of the chicken.  This is from combining the spices with breadcrumbs and dipping the chicken in the egg wash prior to the spice coating.  This really is an essential part of the recipe as the egg wash helps the spices to stick and the breadcrumbs in the spice mix help to create a firm coating of spicy goodness.

    Here's the rub:

    • 3 teaspoons Smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon Hot Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Sweet paprika
    • ¾ teaspoon onion salt
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic salt
    • ½ teaspoon Thyme
    • ½ teaspoon Oregano
    • 2 tablespoons Breadcrumbs

    This will be enough to coat around 500 grams or 1 pound of skinless chicken thigh.

    Not only do all the spices on this garlic paprika chicken smell very aromatic, as soon as you lay the chicken in the spices and press into those flavours, you know its going to be good because that smokiness comes through right away.

    When it gets cooking  in the oven and that aroma starts to fill your house, that’s when mouth’s will begin to water.  Crispy paprika chicken baked in the oven is something you simply must try if you love crumbed or breaded chicken in any form.

    crumbing the chicken in the spices and arranging in a baking tray

    How to Make Crispy Crunchy Smoked Paprika Chicken Thighs

    • Make the smoked paprika chicken rub as per above
    • Prepare 2 bowls:  one with the egg wash (1 egg + 1 tablespoon of milk + pinch of salt), and the second bowl with the rub
    • Dip and press:  Dip the chicken thighs into the egg wash, followed by firmly pressing into the spice rub on both sides
    • Arrange:  Place the chicken thighs into a large baking tray that has been lightly sprayed with oil
    • Bake for 180 degrees C /350 degrees F for 30-40 minutes, or a bit longer if your chicken thighs are on the large side

    Other oven baked crispy clean eating chicken dinners you might like:  Oven Baked Panko Chicken Tenders, Healthy Asian Crispy Lemon Chicken, Baked Paprika Parmesan Chicken, and this Popcorn Chicken Salad.

    chopped smoked paprika chicken piled in a bowl

    I have been making these smoked paprika chicken thighs for years and the unique spice combination used in the rub is what sets this apart for any old regular baked spicy chicken.

    If you love paprika and garlic, combined with chicken then this is one clean eating chicken dinner you don't want to miss out on and it goes perfectly with this healthy pesto pasta.

    breaded paprika chicken thighs on a white plate

    Smoked Paprika Chicken

    Kim MorrisKimKim
    This healthy clean eating Smoked Paprika Chicken with mash and greens is a perfect weeknight meal for your repertoire.  Its easy, Its healthy and it is full or flavour.  The great thing is, you can make it more or less spicy by altering the amount of hot paprika!  Easy Peasy.
    4.94 from 15 votes
    Print Save Saved!
    Course Dinner
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 462 kcal
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins

    Ingredients
     

    • 500 grams chicken thigh - (skinless)
    • 3 teaspoons smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon hot paprika
    • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
    • ¾ teaspoon onion salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
    • 2 medium eggs
    • 2 tablespoons milk
    Metric - US Customary
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 180 degrees C/350 degrees F
    • Spices: mix together 3 teaspoons smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon hot paprika, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, ¾ teaspoon onion salt, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, and 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs in a large bowl.
    • Egg Wash: Create your egg wash by whisking together 2 medium eggs and 2 tablespoons milk. Whisk until combined.
    • Chicken: Dip the chicken into the egg wash to coat with the wash.
    • Chicken:  press outside of thigh into the spice mix smooth side down. Press firmly to get a good coating of spices.
    • Chicken: Grab out your best baking tray and spray lightly with canola oil. Add chicken thighs spice side up and bake at 180 degrees C for 30-40 minutes, depending on how big and or thick the chicken thighs are.

    Notes

    1. Preheat the oven before putting the chicken in. Putting chicken into a cold oven won’t allow that nice crispy dry coating to develop on the outside.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 462kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 55gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gFiber: 5gSugar: 6g

    Note: Sugars contained in this recipe are from naturally occurring sugars in fruits, vegetables or other natural sweeteners. Calories have been calculated for your convenience using My Fitness Pal and are based on the ingredients listed in the recipe card.

    Wanna learn my secrets to maintaining a Sugar Free Lifestyle for the past 10 years?Get my FREE 5 Day email series where I'll show you how to master sensible snacking, how to create sugar free dessert truffles and how to make the perfect low calorie no sugar banana bread, plus more!

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    Comments

      4.94 from 15 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Shannon says

      May 15, 2025 at 8:05 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing. This recipe was a hit and my family enjoyed it. Will make it again!

      Reply
    2. Stacy says

      November 03, 2024 at 11:07 pm

      Are they boneless chicken thighs? Or bone in?

      Reply
      • Kim says

        December 18, 2024 at 5:28 pm

        I use boneless thighs.

        Reply

    Hey I'm Kim

    I'm passionate about creating recipes that are lower in sugar and calories without compromising on taste or flavor! My areas of expertise are Dinners Under 500 Calories and Sugar Free Desserts!

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