Rich in flavour and heartwarming comfort, Chicken and Mushroom ‘paprikaš’ is a beloved dish in traditional Croatian cuisine. Rooted in the rustic kitchens of the countryside, this stew brings together tender chicken, mushrooms, and a medley of fragrant herbs, all simmered slowly to perfection.
Whether enjoyed on a chilly evening or as a centrepiece for a family gathering, this dish reflects the soul of Croatian home cooking—simple, nourishing, and made with love. Join us as we guide you through this time-honoured ‘paprikaš’ recipe that captures the essence of Croatian culinary traditions.
Serves 6
Ingredients
11⁄2kg chicken breast fillets (diced)
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 red onion (diced)
250g mushrooms
2 tablespoons ground red paprika (sweet), essential for making paprikaš.
450g tomatoes (fresh or tinned) 1 cup chicken soup (stock) 1 cup white wine boiled water (as required) salt and pepper 1 tablespoon parsley 150g rice (cooked)
Method
1. Heat butter and oil in frypan, add diced chicken and fry until golden. Add paprika and sauté for a few minutes to release the flavors of ‘paprikaš’.
2. Remove meat and add onion and thinly sliced mushrooms.
3. Simmer for a few minutes to soften the mushrooms.
4. Add chopped tomatoes, stock and wine. Season to taste.
5. Return chicken to the pan and add boiled water (enough to cover chicken) and cover with lid. Simmer on medium heat for 45-50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. This slow simmering is key to ‘paprikaš’.
6. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with rice.
Recipe from the bilingual cookbook ‘My Mother’s Kitchen‘ by the Croatian Cultural Association (CCA) of Geelong published with the author’s permission.https://croatianculturalassociation.org
