Paprika Chicken with Olive Walnut Vinaigrette

For a modern take on roasted chicken, try this Paprika Chicken with Olive Walnut Vinaigrette. The juicy golden chicken is flavored with warm spices and served with a briny herb dressing and parmesan roasted potatoes for a complete meal.

What Makes this Dish Special:

The latest creation is this roasted paprika chicken with olive walnut vinaigrette. It takes basic roasted chicken and adds spices and a fresh and tangy olive walnut dressing for a dinner that’s anything but boring.

Fortunately, this dish is a fairly simple meal to prepare. Marinate the chicken, roast it, and make a sauce. The garlic parmesan roasted potatoes are optional but go perfectly with the chicken. 

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs: I used bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, but you can use boneless chicken or chicken breasts as well. Make sure to adjust the time accordingly.
• Smoked paprika: A type of paprika with a rich, smoky flavor that adds depth to the chicken. You can use regular paprika instead if you can’t find smoked paprika or Hungarian paprika for a subtle sweet note.
• Castelvetrano olives: A type of green olive with a sweet and smiled flavor with a buttery and slightly nutty taste. If you can’t find these specific olives, use another green olive instead.
• Walnuts: These buttery, crunchy nuts add texture to the vinaigrette while adding another layer of flavor. You can also pinenuts or almonds.
• Herbs: Although I used fresh parsley and basil for the vinaigrette, you can use just one of the herbs or add other ones, such as dill or cilantro.
• Sherry vinegar: A type of vinegar with a complex tangy flavor with a subtle sweetness. If you can’t find sherry vinegar, use red wine vinegar instead.
• Baby golden potatoes: These small waxy potatoes are perfect for roasting, but you can also use fingerling potatoes or new potatoes.

Paprika Chicken:

• 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ cup chicken stock
• 3 sprigs thyme

Olive Walnut Vinaigrette:

• ½ cup castelvetrano olives sliced
• ½ cup toasted walnuts chopped
• ½ cup parsley chopped
• ¼ cup basil chopped
• 1 garlic minced
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup sherry vinegar
• salt and pepper

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes:

• 2 pounds baby golden potatoes halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper
• ¼ cup grated parmesan

Step-by-step instructions:

Marinate Chicken:

Let’s start preparing this dish by first marinating the chicken. Combine bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts with olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, coriander, turmeric, salt, pepper, and a generous amount of smoked paprika.

Smoked paprika adds a fantastic deep, smoky flavor, but you can use Hungarian paprika instead for a sweeter flavor.

You can also use boneless chicken breasts or thighs, but bone-in skin yields much juicier chicken.

Let the chicken marinate for at least one hour or overnight. If you have the time, go ahead and let it sit overnight. This allows more time for the chicken to absorb those spices. However, if you’re short on time, 1 hour will do just fine.

Make Olive Walnut Vinaigrette:

Meanwhile, make the olive walnut vinaigrette. Coarsely chop toasted walnuts and combine them with sliced olives, chopped herbs, olive oil, garlic, and sherry vinegar. You can also use a food processor to chop the ingredients if it makes it easier.

I chose Castelvetrano olives for the vinaigrette because they’re meaty, have a mild flavor, and have buttery flesh. You can substitute them for another olive, such as kalamata or picholine, if desired.

Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors marry. Feel free to make the vinaigrette the night before. However, the herbs may be dull in color.

Roast Chicken and Potatoes:

Now, let’s turn our attention back to the chicken. Pour ½ cup chicken stock into the bottom of a sheet pan and add the thyme sprigs. Place the chicken directly on the thyme and roast the chicken until the juices run clear.

Why do we add the chicken stock? I found that it helps cook the chicken more evenly since we’re using bone-in chicken. It also keeps the meat especially juicy.

While the chicken is roasting, go ahead and roast the potatoes. Cut baby gold potatoes in half lengthwise and toss them in garlic powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Spread the potatoes in an even layer on a baking sheet and roast until golden brown.

Once the potatoes are fork-tender, sprinkle grated parmesan and toss to combine.

Plate the roasted chicken and potatoes on a serving platter, and top the chicken with the olive walnut vinaigrette. Serve the extra dressing on the side.

I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed this paprika chicken with olive walnut vinaigrette. It’s a step up from basic roasted chicken, and the vinaigrette brings texture, acid, and freshness to the entire meal.

I love to serve this with a side of crusty bread to soak up all those delicious juices. A solid weeknight dinner!

Substitutions and Variations:

• Protein: You can substitute the chicken with salmon, steak, or pork tenderloin.
• Spicy: For a spicy kick, add sliced Calabrian chilies to the olive walnut vinaigrette.
• Vegetables: Feel free to incorporate other vegetables, such as roasted carrots or broccoli.

Make-Ahead and Storage:

• Make-ahead: The chicken can be marinated the day before, and the olive walnut vinaigrette can be prepared the day before.
• Store: Store the olive walnut vinaigrette separately from the chicken and potatoes in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

FAQs:

Can I marinate the chicken for longer than 1 hour?

Yes, feel free to marinate the chicken overnight for even more flavor.

How long does it take to roast chicken?

It should take about 40-45 minutes in the oven at 425 degrees F. Use a thermometer for the best accuracy, pulling out the chicken when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Can I prepare the chicken in the air fryer?

Yes, you can cook both the chicken and potatoes in the air fryer. Cook them at 400 degrees until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.

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Paprika Chicken with Olive Walnut Vinaigrette

For a modern take on roasted chicken, try this Paprika Chicken with Olive Walnut Vinaigrette. The juicy golden chicken is flavored with warm spices and served with a briny herb dressing and parmesan roasted potatoes for a complete meal.

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Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing Bowls w/lids
• Grater/Micro plane Set
• Herb Scissors/Chopper
• Garlic Mincer
• Baking Sheet

Ingredients

  

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Paprika Chicken:

• 4 chicken thighs bone-in skin-on
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ cup chicken stock
• 3 sprigs thyme

Olive Walnut Vinaigrette:

• ½ cup Castelvetrano olives sliced
• ½ cup toasted walnuts chopped
• ½ cup parsley chopped
• ¼ cup basil chopped
• 1 garlic minced
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup sherry vinegar
• salt and pepper
• Garlic parmesan roasted potatoes
• 2 pounds baby golden potatoes halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper
• ¼ cup grated parmesan

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Instructions

 

• Marinate chicken. Combine chicken thighs with olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, coriander, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and turmeric, tossing to coat. Let sit for at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Meanwhile, make olive walnut vinaigrette. Combine sliced olives with chopped walnuts, parsley, basil, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and sherry vinegar in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Pour ½ cup chicken stock and 3 sprigs thyme in bottom of a sheet pan. Place marinated chicken directly on top and roast for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown and the juices run clear. Let rest for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, roast potatoes. Toss halved potatoes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Lay on a sheet pan and roast for 30-35 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle parmesan on top and toss together.
• Arrange potatoes and chicken on a serving platter. Spoon olive walnut vinaigrette on top and serve with extra vinaigrette on the side.

Notes:

• You can marinate the chicken overnight if desired.
• You can skip the garlic parmesan roasted potatoes and serve the chicken with any variety of sides such as mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice pilaf, or roasted broccoli.

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