Here’s a full, traditional recipe for Hungarian Chicken Paprikás (Paprikash) with Dumplings (Nokedli/Spätzle)—a comforting, classic dish with rich paprika flavor.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Paprikás
- 2–3 lbs (1–1.5 kg) chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
- 1 teaspoon hot paprika (optional, for heat)
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 cup sour cream
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Dumplings (Nokedli/Spätzle)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup water (adjust as needed)
- Optional: a pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
1. Prepare the Paprikás
- Heat oil or lard in a large skillet or pot over medium heat.
- Sauté onions until translucent (~5–7 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Remove from heat briefly and stir in paprika (this prevents burning).
- Return to heat and add chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Brown chicken lightly on all sides, then pour in chicken broth.
- Cover and simmer 30–40 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
2. Make the Dumplings
- In a bowl, mix flour, eggs, salt, and water into a thick, sticky batter.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Using a spätzle maker or large-holed colander, press dough into boiling water.
- When dumplings float to the surface, cook 2–3 minutes more, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
3. Finish the Paprikás
- Remove the pot from heat and let cool slightly.
- Stir in sour cream gradually, making sure it doesn’t curdle.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve
- Place dumplings on a plate and spoon the chicken paprikás over them.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve with extra sour cream on the side.
Tips for Authentic Flavor
- Use Hungarian sweet paprika—it’s the key to the authentic taste.
- Never boil paprika directly in hot oil; it burns and becomes bitter.
- Dumplings can be made ahead and refrigerated, then reheated in boiling water.
- Optional: add sautéed bell pepper or tomato for a slightly richer sauce.
💡 Extra Note: Chicken Paprikás is a traditional comfort dish in Hungary—warm, creamy, and perfect for family meals.
If you want, I can make a visual step-by-step guide showing how to shape the dumplings and plate the paprikás beautifully, so it looks like a restaurant version.
Do you want me to do that?
