Smoked Paprika Chicken

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.