Easy One Pot Chicken Goulash with Tomato Soup
This one pot chicken goulash swaps the usual ground beef for juicy chicken thighs and uses canned tomato soup as a shortcut for a creamy, rich sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy one pot recipe is cozy, hearty, and perfect for busy weeknights.
Maybe it's the Minnesotan in me, but I love anything that resembles a hot dish (a.k.a. casserole). While this version is made right on the stovetop, it's got all the elements we Midwesterners can't resist: meat, noodles, sauce, and cheese.
Chicken Goulash vs. Traditional Goulash: What's the Difference?
Did you know there are actually two main types of goulash?
- American Goulash - Quick, one-pot meal made with meat, noodles, and tomato sauce. It's basically a stovetop hot dish.
- Hungarian Goulash - A slow-simmered stew of beef, vegetables, and paprika served with egg noodles or potatoes.
Quick Summary: Hungarian = slow, rich stew. American = quick pasta dish. This chicken goulash = both comforting and weeknight-friendly.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Chicken Goulash
- This ultimate weeknight comfort food recipe is easy, delicious and satisfying!
- This recipe makes a large pot of goulash, which is perfect for leftovers and meal prep for the week.
- This is a one-pot recipe. No need to cook the noodles separately!
- You can have dinner on the table in 30 minutes with this recipe. It's a game-changer for busy weeknights and a hungry family!
If you're a fan of casseroles, check out my Wild Rice Hotdish and Pizza Casserole recipes!
Ingredient Notes
Here are some tips & tricks for the ingredients needed for this recipe. Find exact measurements in the recipe card below!
- Chicken thighs - Using chunks of chicken instead of ground beef is the main difference in this recipe compared to other American goulashes. Chicken thighs are a fairly cheap protein, and they don't dry out like chicken breasts tend to do. It's a fun way to switch things up.
- Green bell pepper - Adds flavor and color, any pepper works. Frozen chopped peppers are a great shortcut!
- Tomato soup - Condensed soup will help create a rich, tomatoey sauce. It creates a creamy, slow-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time.
- Canned diced tomatoes - Adds more tomato flavor along with some texture to the goulash.
- Paprika - This is the traditional spice in Hungarian goulash and works just as well in this version. The sweet kind is classic, while the smoked will be add more depth, and hot paprika will add spice.
- Elbow macaroni - The pasta cooks right in the pot with the tomatoes and broth to soak up all the delicious flavors. Small pasta shapes like elbows work best since they cook evenly.
- Cheddar cheese - Optional but highly recommended! Cheese makes everything better.
How to Make Chicken Goulash
Step 1: Brown the chicken - Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven. Season chicken thigh pieces with salt and pepper, add to the pan. Cook 3-4 minutes until browned (no need to cook through yet).
Step 2: Sauté the veggies - Add chopped bell pepper and onion to the pan. Continue cooking for until 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the pepper and onion begin to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 3: Add the liquid & seasoning - Stir in canned tomato soup, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Add paprika, Italian seasonings, and a bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Italian seasoning is a combination of basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.
Step 4: Cook pasta - Add macaroni noodles. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and sauce is thickened.
Quick Tip: Check pasta box for cooking times. Undercook pasta by 1-2 minutes since it continues to soften as it sits in the sauce. This prevents it from becoming mushy!
Step 5: Finish with cheese - Remove the bay leaf and stir in cheese. Scoop into bowls or plates and serve warm. Garnish with some chopped parsley for extra color.
Serving Tips
This goulash doesn't require much to go along with it as it's hearty and filling on it's own. Like most parents, I'm always trying to offer veggies to my kids, so those are always a go-to side choice at dinnertime.
Crusty French bread or garlic bread could also be served alongside.
Expert Tips
Follow these easy tips and tricks that will set you up for success:
- Don't overcook the chicken in the skillet as it will dry out.
- Test the pasta for perfect texture. Too short = too firm, too long = mushy. Al dente is perfect!
- Don't forget to occasionally stir the goulash while it's cooking to prevent pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Easy Variations & Swaps
Protein swaps - Use ground turkey, ground chicken, sliced kielbasa sausage or traditional ground beef.
Vegetable add-ins - Add zucchini, mushrooms, corn, spinach for a nutritional boost!
Flavor twists - Use smoky paprika for bolder flavor or add red pepper chili flakes for heat. This recipe has a mild flavor that kids love, but let adults spice up their individual servings!
Creamy upgrades - Add a dollop of sour cream on top of each serving for a creamy finish.
Dietary adaptations - Use gluten-free pasta and/or dairy-free cheese to suit your needs.
How to Store & Reheat Chicken Goulash
Refrigerator: Store 3-4 days in airtight container
Freezer: Up to 3 months. Freeze in foil pans to free up your regular pans!
Reheating: Reheat leftovers on the stove with splash of chicken broth, tomato juice or soup to loosen sauce.
Quick Tip: Freeze in individual portions for quick lunches.
FAQ
Hungarian goulash is the original version of this dish and is more of a stew made with chunks of meat and vegetables that are cooked low and slow in a broth. Potatoes or noodles are served on the side. This American goulash is a one-pot, 30-minute version of the original.
Chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs. Just be careful not to overcook the chicken pieces before adding the liquid to prevent the meat from drying out.
Yes, this American goulash is sometimes referred to as American Chop Suey.
Nope! Condensed tomato soup gives the goulash a rich creaminess and balance without being overwhelmingly sweet.
Add this chicken goulash recipe to your regular rotation and enjoy a weeknight comfort food classic that your whole family will ask for again and again.
Other Main Dishes You'll Love
Be sure to follow The Darling Apron on Facebook & Instagram along with what I'm pinning on Pinterest!
Have you made one of my recipes? I'd love your feedback on the comment box and star rating below the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Easy One Pot Chicken Goulash with Tomato Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.1 tbsp. olive oil, 1 ½ # boneless skinless chicken thighs, ½ tsp. salt, ½ tsp. black pepper
- Add chicken to the pot and cook until pieces brown on the outside, about 3-4 minutes. The chicken doesn't need to be fully cooked through yet.
- Add chopped bell pepper and onion to the pan. Continue cooking until the chicken finishes cooking and the pepper and onion begin to soften, about another 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.1 cup green bell pepper, 2 cloves garlic , 1 cup yellow onion
- Pour in canned soup, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, paprika and Italian seasoning. Stir well and bring mixture to a simmer.2 10.5 oz. cans condensed tomato soup, 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, 2 cups chicken broth, 3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 bay leaf, 2 tsp. paprika, 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- Stir in uncooked noodles, cover and reduce heat to medium. Continue to simmer 15-20 minutes until pasta is cooked and much of the liquid is absorbed.8 oz. elbow macaroni
- Remove from heat. Remove the bay leaf and stir in cheddar cheese before serving.1 cup cheddar cheese
Outstanding dish!! Even my toddlers loved it! Thank you for sharing
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!