Zesty Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe: Family Favorite

Simmering with rich, vibrant flavors, this Hungarian chicken paprikash recipe brings the hearty essence of traditional Eastern European cuisine straight to your kitchen.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this creamy, rustic dish that marries tender chicken with a luscious paprika-infused sauce.

Sweet Hungarian paprika weaves its magic through every bite, creating a comforting meal that speaks of warmth and tradition.

The secret lies in selecting high-quality paprika and allowing the ingredients to meld together slowly.

Aromatic onions and tender chicken create a harmonious dance of flavors that will transport you to the countryside of Hungary.

Each spoonful tells a story of culinary heritage and simple, soulful cooking.

This recipe promises a delicious journey that celebrates the richness of Hungarian home cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Behind Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Chicken Thighs: Rich, tender cut that holds flavor beautifully and provides succulent texture for classic Hungarian comfort dish.

• Onions, Red Bell Pepper: Aromatic vegetables creating deep, sweet foundational flavor profile.
• Garlic: Adds robust, earthy punch that elevates entire dish's complexity.
• Paprika: Quintessential Hungarian spice bringing warm, slightly smoky characteristic to the sauce.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning agents enhancing overall taste depth.

• Butter: Creates rich, velvety cooking base with delightful golden undertones.
• Chicken Stock: Provides liquid dimension and intensifies meaty essence.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated ingredient delivering subtle tangy richness.
• Flour: Natural thickening agent for creating silky sauce consistency.
• Sour Cream: Introduces creamy, tangy element that softens and balances spice intensity.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish adding color and subtle herbal note.

Kitchen Items for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Large pot: Essential for browning chicken and creating the sauce.
• Small bowl: Perfect for whisking sour cream and flour mixture.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending sour cream and flour smoothly without lumps.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, peppers, and parsley.
• Sharp knife: Required for precise vegetable and herb preparation.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices and seasonings.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and combining ingredients.
• Meat thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F.

Preparing Hungarian Chicken Paprikash the Right Way

• Chicken Preparation

Select tender chicken thighs and season generously with salt and pepper for rich flavor.

• Searing Magic

Create golden-brown exterior by cooking chicken in hot butter until crispy edges develop.

• Aromatic Base

Sauté onions and bell peppers until soft, releasing sweet fragrance and building deep flavor profile.

• Spice Infusion

Blend paprika and garlic to create authentic Hungarian essence, stirring carefully to prevent burning.

• Liquid Foundation

Add chicken stock and allow chicken to simmer gently, developing complex taste layers.

• Creamy Transformation

Mix sour cream and flour smoothly to create silky sauce without lumps.

• Final Harmony

Combine chicken with luxurious sauce, ensuring every piece is lavishly coated.

• Elegant Presentation

Sprinkle fresh parsley and serve alongside traditional Hungarian side dishes like spaetzle or roasted potatoes.

Helpful Notes for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Flavor

• Select authentic Hungarian sweet paprika for genuine flavor depth. Hungarian-sourced paprika provides the most traditional and robust taste profile for this classic dish.
• Replace chicken thighs with chicken breasts, drumsticks, or even pork for varied protein choices. Adjust cooking times based on the meat's thickness and type to ensure proper doneness.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter, tangier sauce variation. Alternatively, mix cream cheese with milk to achieve a similar creamy consistency if sour cream is unavailable.
• Experiment by adding sliced mushrooms or diced carrots during the onion sautéing stage. These additional vegetables will introduce extra layers of flavor and nutritional value to the traditional recipe.
• Increase heat by incorporating a pinch of hot paprika or adding red pepper flakes. Balance the spiciness with additional sour cream or a dollop of mild yogurt to control the overall flavor intensity.

Serving Up Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Style

• Comfort Plate Companions: Fluffy spaetzle or tender egg noodles perfectly capture the rich, creamy sauce, making each bite a delightful Hungarian-inspired experience.
• Rustic Side Symphony: Roasted golden potatoes with crispy edges complement the succulent chicken paprikash, adding a hearty texture and earthy flavor to the meal.
• Bright Herbal Touch: Fresh parsley sprinkled on top brings a vibrant green color and light, zesty freshness that cuts through the dish's creamy richness.
• Wine Pairing Magic: A crisp white wine like Grüner Veltliner or a medium-bodied Hungarian red balances the paprika's warmth and enhances the dish's complex flavors.

Saving and Reheating Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Smart Meal Scheduling: This hearty Hungarian chicken dish works beautifully for weekly meal prep, allowing you to cook once and enjoy delicious leftovers throughout busy weekdays.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store cooked chicken paprikash in airtight containers for 3-4 days, keeping the sauce and chicken separate to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy meat.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Cool the chicken and sauce completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring you always have a comforting meal ready for unexpected dinner challenges.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm refrigerated or thawed chicken paprikash in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken stock to refresh the sauce's creamy consistency and prevent drying out.

Authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hungarian chicken paprikash brings classic comfort from Budapest’s kitchens, combining tender chicken with creamy paprika sauce. Hearty ingredients and simple techniques create a soul-warming meal you’ll savor with genuine Central European delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 chicken thighs (2.5 lbs / 1.13 kg)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps paprika
• 3 tbsps butter
• 1 cup chicken stock
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Seasoning: Thoroughly coat chicken thighs with salt and pepper across all surfaces for maximum flavor infusion.
2. Searing: Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high flame, carefully brown chicken thighs skin-side down for 3-4 minutes to develop a rich, golden crust. Remove and set aside.
3. Aromatic Base: In the same pot, sauté onions until translucent, then add red bell peppers, garlic, tomato paste, paprika, additional salt, and black pepper. Stir to create a vibrant flavor foundation.
4. Liquid Integration: Pour chicken stock into the pot, return chicken thighs, and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Rotate midway to ensure even cooking and verify internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Creamy Transformation: Whisk flour and sour cream in a separate bowl. Temper the mixture by slowly incorporating hot liquid from the pot to prevent lumping. Blend back into the sauce, stirring until it reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.
6. Final Assembly: Reunite chicken with the creamy sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve alongside traditional accompaniments like spaetzle, noodles, or roasted potatoes.

Notes

• Prevent Curdling: Temper sour cream by slowly adding hot liquid to avoid separation, ensuring a smooth, creamy sauce.
• Skin Crisping Technique: Brown chicken skin-side down first to develop a golden, flavorful crust that locks in moisture.
• Paprika Power: Use high-quality Hungarian paprika for authentic flavor depth and rich, vibrant color.
• Temperature Precision: Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe, perfectly cooked meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg