Chicken Paprika

• 8 to 10 bone-in, skin on chicken thighs or a mix of thighs and legs

• 4 tsp sea salt, divided

• 2 tsp hot Hungarian paprika

• 1 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 2 red bell peppers, chopped into 1 inch pieces

• 1 yellow onion, chopped into 1 inch pieces

• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• 3 tbsp all purpose flour

• 3 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika

• 1/2 cup chicken broth

• 1 1/2 cups water

• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped

• 1 dried bay leaf

• cooked rice or noodles or roasted vegetables for serving

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Sprinkle chicken with 2 1/2 teaspoon salt, hot paprika and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Place chicken in an oven proof skillet or baking dish. Place in heated oven and cook for 15 minutes.

2. In a small saucepan, melt butter on low heat. Cook sliced garlic, 1 minute. Whisk in flour and sweet paprika; cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowing add chicken broth, whisking as you go so there are no lumps. Add water, thyme, bay leaf, 1 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

3. Remove chicken from oven. Add chopped onion and bell pepper. Pour gravy over chicken and vegetables. Return to oven and bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes. An instant read thermometer should register 165°F in thickest part of chicken thigh or leg.

4. Serve chicken with hot cooked rice, noodles or roasted vegetables.

Notes&Tips:

• This delicious and easy Chicken Paprika is a delight to the taste buds. It will become one of your staples. One never realizes how delicious a seasoning like paprika is until you've made this dish.

• Paprika is made from dried red peppers which range in flavor from sweet and fruity to spicy and pungent. Sweet paprika is made from mild chilies while hot paprika is made from spicier varieties.

• For this Chicken Paprika, I used a combination of sweet and hot paprika. Feel free to use all sweet paprika for a milder flavor in your dish or go all out with the hot paprika for an even spicier dish.