Here’s a classic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash recipe—a rich, comforting dish with tender chicken, creamy paprika sauce, and traditional Hungarian flavor.
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 4–6 chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks recommended)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika (essential for authentic flavor)
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 cup sour cream (room temperature)
- 1–2 tablespoons flour (optional, for thicker sauce)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Noodles, dumplings (nokedli), or rice for serving
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken
- Heat oil or butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Brown the chicken pieces on all sides (about 5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic
- In the same pan, add chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent.
- Add garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
- Add Paprika
- Remove the pan briefly from heat and stir in paprika to prevent burning (burnt paprika is bitter).
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce
- Return the chicken to the pan.
- Pour in chicken broth so that it partially covers the chicken.
- Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook 35–40 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Add Sour Cream
- In a small bowl, mix flour (if using) with sour cream to prevent curdling.
- Gradually stir sour cream into the sauce off the heat.
- Heat gently, do not boil, until sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Serve
- Serve hot over egg noodles, dumplings, rice, or mashed potatoes.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika or fresh parsley.
Tips for Authentic Flavor
- Use sweet Hungarian paprika, not smoked paprika, for a classic taste.
- Chicken thighs give the best flavor and stay tender.
- If you like a richer sauce, add a pat of butter just before serving.
If you want, I can also give a quick 30-minute weeknight version of Chicken Paprikash that’s just as flavorful but faster to cook.
Do you want me to do that?
