Soulful Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Tucked away in the heart of budapest, hungarian chicken paprikash whispers tales of culinary comfort and tradition.

Hearty home cooks have perfected this dish through generations of passionate cooking.

Vibrant red paprika cascades across tender chicken pieces, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Fragrant onions and rich sour cream blend seamlessly in this classic Magyar masterpiece.

Each bite tells a story of countryside kitchens and lovingly prepared meals.

Creamy, slightly spicy, and utterly satisfying, this recipe promises to transport you straight to the rolling hills of hungary.

Let’s uncover the secrets behind this beloved classic that will make your taste buds sing with joy.

Best Sides for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Select Hungarian Red Wine: Kadarka or Egri Bikavér wines complement the rich paprika and creamy sauce, enhancing the dish's traditional flavor profile.
• Match Crisp Side Salad: Create a light cucumber salad with vinegar dressing to cut through the heaviness of the chicken and provide refreshing contrast.
• Recommend Crusty Bread: Serve warm, rustic sourdough or rye bread to soak up the delicious paprika-infused sauce, adding textural variety to the meal.
• Suggest Chilled White Spritzer: Prepare a Hungarian white wine spritzer (fröccs) with sparkling water to balance the creamy dish and cleanse the palate between bites.

Creative Takes on Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Vegetarian Paprikash: Replace chicken with firm tofu or seitan, using vegetable broth for a plant-based version that maintains the rich, creamy flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional flour dumplings with rice noodles or cauliflower rice, using gluten-free flour for thickening the sauce and creating a celiac-friendly meal.
• Lighter Cream Alternative: Substitute full-fat sour cream with Greek yogurt or a dairy-free cashew cream to reduce calories while keeping the signature tangy sauce texture.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add smoked paprika and a dash of cayenne pepper to intensify the heat, creating a more robust and fiery Hungarian-inspired dish for spice lovers.

FAQs

• What is paprikash and how is it different from other chicken dishes?

Paprikash is a traditional Hungarian stew characterized by its rich, creamy sauce made with generous amounts of paprika, giving it a distinctive reddish-orange color and deep, slightly spicy flavor that sets it apart from typical chicken stews.

• Is paprika the most important ingredient in this recipe?

Yes, paprika is crucial to Hungarian Chicken Paprikash. It provides the signature flavor and color, with Hungarian sweet paprika being the preferred variety for authentic taste and traditional preparation.

• Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

While sour cream is traditional, Greek yogurt can work as a substitute. However, it might slightly alter the classic taste and creaminess of the original recipe. Full-fat yogurt will give the closest result to sour cream.

• What type of chicken works best for paprikash?

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or a whole cut-up chicken are ideal. These cuts remain juicy during slow cooking and add more flavor to the sauce compared to boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

Why People Love Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Comfort Food Champion: Dive into a classic Hungarian dish that warms your soul with its rich, creamy sauce and tender chicken.
• Beginner-Friendly Cooking: Master an authentic recipe with simple steps that don't require advanced culinary skills, perfect for home cooks looking to explore international cuisine.
• One-Pot Dish: Minimize kitchen cleanup with a streamlined cooking method that brings all ingredients together in a single pot, making meal preparation stress-free and efficient.
• Cultural Culinary Journey: Transport your taste buds to Hungary with traditional flavors and techniques, transforming an ordinary dinner into an exciting gastronomic adventure.

What You’ll Need for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Pieces: Juicy and tender meat for a hearty main dish.

• Onions: Sweet and fragrant base for the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds deep, aromatic flavor.
• Paprika: Classic Hungarian spice with warm, rich taste.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth.
• Chicken Broth: Provides rich liquid base for cooking.
• Sour Cream: Creamy, tangy sauce ingredient.

• Flour: Provides structure for dumplings.
• Eggs: Binds dumpling dough together.
• Water: Helps create dumpling consistency.
• Salt: Seasons dumpling dough.

Cooking Guide for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatic Base

Heat oil in a large pot, bringing it to a gentle sizzle over medium heat.

Toss in finely chopped onions and minced garlic, letting them dance and soften until translucent.

Sprinkle a generous amount of vibrant paprika, salt, and pepper, creating a fragrant foundation for your dish.

Step 2: Brown Chicken Beautifully

Carefully place chicken pieces into the pot, allowing each side to develop a rich, golden-brown crust.

This step locks in flavors and creates a beautiful color for your Hungarian classic.

Step 3: Simmer to Perfection

Pour chicken broth into the pot, bringing the mixture to a rolling boil.

Immediately reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the chicken simmer gently.

Allow about 45 minutes for the chicken to become supremely tender and fully cooked through.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

Carefully remove the chicken from the pot.

Stir in smooth sour cream, transforming the cooking liquid into a luxurious, velvety sauce that captures the essence of Hungarian cuisine.

Step 5: Prepare Fluffy Dumplings

• Flour
• Eggs
• Water
• Salt

Blend ingredients until a sticky dough forms, creating the traditional accompaniment to your chicken.

Step 6: Cook Dumplings

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.

Drop small spoonfuls of dumpling dough into the water.

Watch as they magically rise to the surface, signaling they’re perfectly cooked.

Retrieve them with a slotted spoon.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Return chicken to the creamy sauce to warm through.

Arrange dumplings on a serving plate, nestle the chicken on top, and drizzle with additional sauce.

If desired, add a dollop of extra sour cream for a truly authentic Hungarian experience.

Tips That Help With Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Toast paprika briefly in oil before adding other ingredients to release its deep, rich taste and enhance the dish's authentic Hungarian profile.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring a more succulent and traditional paprikash experience.
• Temper sour cream by slowly adding hot liquid to prevent curdling, creating a smooth, silky sauce that coats the chicken beautifully.
• Rest dumpling dough for 10-15 minutes before cooking to allow flour to absorb liquid, resulting in lighter, more delicate texture.
• Adjust paprika intensity by mixing sweet and hot varieties, letting you customize the dish's warmth to your personal preference.

Storage and Reheat Tips for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Store leftover chicken paprikash in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled dish to freezer-safe containers, where it can maintain quality for up to 2 months without losing flavor.
• Warm gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sauce separation and maintain creamy texture.
• Add a splash of chicken broth while reheating to restore moisture and prevent the sauce from becoming too thick or dry.

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe

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4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Hungarian chicken paprikash brings creamy, paprika-infused comfort straight from Budapest’s culinary heart. Home cooks will savor this classic dish’s rich flavors, tender chicken, and silky sauce that whisks diners to Hungary’s warm kitchens.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breast)

Aromatics and Spices:

• 2 onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) Hungarian paprika
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) black pepper

Liquids and Finishing Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream

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Instructions

1. Sauté finely chopped onions in a deep skillet until translucent and fragrant, releasing their natural sweetness.
2. Generously sprinkle high-quality Hungarian paprika into the softened onions, coating them evenly and creating a rich, aromatic base.
3. Carefully place chicken pieces into the seasoned mixture, allowing each section to develop a golden-brown exterior through even browning.
4. Pour chicken broth around the meat, creating a flavorful braising liquid that will tenderize and infuse the protein with depth.
5. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, covering the skillet to trap moisture and ensure the chicken cooks uniformly and remains succulent.
6. After approximately 40-45 minutes, verify the chicken’s doneness by checking that juices run clear and meat easily separates from the bone.
7. Gently remove chicken pieces and transform the remaining liquid into a velvety sauce by whisking in smooth, tangy sour cream.
8. Prepare delicate dumplings by combining flour, eggs, and a touch of water until a slightly elastic dough develops.
9. Create small, irregular dumpling shapes by carefully dropping spoonfuls into actively boiling, salted water.
10. Once dumplings float to the surface, indicating they are fully cooked, extract them with a perforated utensil.
11. Plate the tender chicken and creamy sauce atop the pillowy dumplings, offering an additional dollop of sour cream for those desiring extra richness.

Notes

• Choose high-quality sweet Hungarian paprika for authentic, rich flavor that transforms the entire dish.
• Use bone-in chicken thighs or legs for more moisture and deeper taste compared to lean chicken breasts.
• Create smooth sauce by gradually whisking sour cream to prevent curdling and maintain silky texture.
• Prepare dumplings ahead of time and keep them covered to ensure they stay warm and soft before serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 36g
• Cholesterol: 120mg