Savory Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe You’ll Adore

Crafting a delectable chicken paprikash brings a taste of hungarian comfort right to your kitchen.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this rich, creamy dish with tender meat and vibrant spices.

Paprika plays a starring role, infusing the sauce with deep, warm flavors that dance across your palate.

Traditional ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a hearty meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Velvety sour cream melts into the sauce, adding a luxurious touch to each perfectly seasoned bite.

Families have gathered around tables to enjoy this classic recipe for decades.

You’ll fall in love with every spoonful of this soul-warming culinary treasure.

Chicken Paprikash Rundown

• Dive into a classic dish that brings the warmth of traditional Eastern European cuisine right to your kitchen.
• Enjoy a one-pan wonder that transforms simple ingredients into a rich, creamy masterpiece with minimal cooking skills required.
• Delight everyone at the table with a hearty, flavorful dish that satisfies both picky eaters and adventurous food lovers.

Ingredients for Classic Chicken Paprikash

• Chicken Thighs: A tender and flavorful cut of chicken that becomes succulent when slowly simmered in the paprika sauce.

• Onions, Garlic: A classic flavor base that provides depth and richness to the sauce, creating a delicious foundation for the dish.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.
• Paprika: A signature spice that gives the dish its distinctive red color and warm, slightly sweet flavor.
• Chicken Broth: A liquid that helps tenderize the chicken and creates the foundational cooking liquid for the sauce.
• Sour Cream, Flour: A combination that creates a creamy, smooth sauce with a luxurious texture and tangy undertone.

• Fresh Parsley: A bright, fresh herb that adds a pop of color and a subtle herbal note to the finished dish.

• Egg Noodles, Dumplings: Traditional accompaniments that perfectly complement the rich and creamy chicken paprikash sauce.

Steps to Cook Chicken Paprikash

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Pieces

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.

Season generously with salt and black pepper.

Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Pour in oil and allow it to shimmer.

Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot pan, creating a golden-brown crust on all sides.

This process takes about 6-8 minutes.

Transfer browned chicken to a clean plate.

Step 2: Create Aromatic Base

Using the same pan with delicious chicken drippings, reduce heat to medium.

Add chopped onions and cook until they become soft, translucent, and slightly golden.

Toss in minced garlic and stir continuously for one minute, releasing wonderful fragrant notes.

Step 3: Enhance with Paprika

Sprinkle paprika over the onion and garlic mixture.

Stir thoroughly to coat everything evenly.

Toast the spice for 1-2 minutes, which helps develop deeper, richer flavors.

Step 4: Develop Cooking Liquid

Pour chicken broth into the pan.

Gently return browned chicken pieces back into the liquid.

Cover the pan and reduce heat to low.

Allow everything to simmer quietly for 30-35 minutes until chicken becomes incredibly tender.

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce

• Sour cream
• Flour

Slowly incorporate this mixture into the simmering sauce, stirring constantly.

Continue cooking for 5-10 minutes until the sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Transfer chicken and sauce over warm egg noodles or traditional dumplings.

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness.

Serve immediately while piping hot.

Chicken Paprikash Tips and Tricks

• Toast paprika briefly to enhance its rich, smoky undertones without burning, releasing deeper flavor profiles into the sauce.
• Temper sour cream by gradually warming it with a small amount of hot liquid before adding to prevent separation and ensure smooth, creamy consistency.
• Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for more moisture and richer taste compared to boneless varieties, which can dry out during cooking.
• Experiment with different paprika types – sweet for mild flavor, hot for extra kick, or smoked for deeper complexity matching your preference.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container, as the dish often tastes even better the next day after flavors have melded overnight in the refrigerator.

Storing Chicken Paprikash Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Ensure the container is clean and dry before placing the chicken paprikash inside.
• Transfer cooled chicken paprikash to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and contents. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm the chicken paprikash in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir gently and frequently until heated completely, about 5-7 minutes.

What Pairs with Chicken Paprikash

Savor Hungarian Harmony: Perfect Pairings for Chicken Paprikash

• Crisp Riesling Rescue: Choose a slightly sweet German Riesling that cuts through the rich, creamy sauce while complementing the paprika's warmth. Its bright acidity balances the dish's velvety texture.
• Rustic Bread Companion: Serve crusty sourdough or Hungarian pogácsa bread to soak up the luxurious sauce. The bread's hearty crunch provides a delightful textural contrast to the tender chicken.
• Tangy Cucumber Salad Sidekick: Prepare a quick Hungarian-style cucumber salad with vinegar, dill, and a touch of sugar. Its refreshing, acidic notes will cleanse the palate between bites of the creamy paprikash.
• Hungarian Red Wine Match: Select a medium-bodied red like Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood), a classic Hungarian wine that echoes the dish's robust flavor profile and cultural roots.

Flavor Options for Chicken Paprikash

• Vegetarian Paprikash: Replace chicken with firm tofu or seitan, cubed and pan-fried until golden. Maintain the same spice and sauce techniques for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when thickening the sauce. Use gluten-free noodles or cauliflower rice as a base.
• Spicy Hungarian Style: Increase paprika quantity and add hot Hungarian paprika for a more intense, fiery flavor profile. Include diced red chili peppers for extra heat.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Skip traditional noodles and serve over roasted cauliflower or zucchini noodles. Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce carbohydrate content.

FAQs

• What is paprika, and why is it important in this recipe?

Paprika is a ground spice made from dried red peppers, originating from Hungary. It adds a sweet, slightly smoky flavor and vibrant red color to the dish, giving chicken paprikash its signature taste and appearance.

• Can I use a different type of paprika?

Hungarian sweet paprika is traditional, but you can use hot or smoked paprika for different flavor profiles. Sweet paprika is recommended for the most authentic taste, as it provides a rich, mellow flavor without overwhelming heat.

• Is chicken paprikash difficult to make?

Not at all! This dish is relatively simple, requiring basic cooking techniques like browning chicken, sautéing onions, and creating a creamy sauce. With a few key ingredients and some patience, anyone can make a delicious chicken paprikash.

• What makes Hungarian chicken paprikash unique?

The combination of tender chicken, caramelized onions, and generous amounts of paprika creates a rich, comforting dish that represents the heart of Hungarian home cooking. The creamy sauce and simple preparation make it a beloved classic.