Cozy Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe for Soul-Warming Meals

Culinary magic happens when you master hungarian chicken paprikash, a comforting dish that whispers stories of budapest’s vibrant kitchens.

Generations have perfected this creamy, rich recipe passed down through cherished family cookbooks.

Tender chicken pieces nestle in a velvety sauce bursting with sweet paprika’s warm embrace.

Fragrant onions and vibrant bell peppers dance alongside succulent meat, creating a symphony of flavors that transport you directly to hungarian countryside tables.

Sour cream adds a luxurious depth, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that feels like a warm hug.

This classic comfort food promises to become your new favorite weekend cooking adventure.

Gather your ingredients and let’s create something truly memorable.

What Makes Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Shine

• Precision Prep: Expertly dice onions and bell peppers into uniform pieces, setting the stage for a seamless cooking experience.
• Bold Flavor Boosting: Generously season chicken with salt and black pepper, creating a robust taste profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Sear with Skill: Develop a golden-brown, caramelized exterior on chicken by carefully searing in hot olive oil, locking in juicy tenderness.
• Creamy Sauce Magic: Transform the dish with a velvety sour cream mixture, adding luxurious depth and a silky texture that makes every bite irresistible.

What Goes Into Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Chicken: A tender, protein-rich meat that forms the main component of this hearty dish.

• Onions, Bell Peppers: Provide a sweet and slightly sharp flavor foundation for the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent, deep flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that amplify the chicken's natural flavors.
• Hungarian Paprika: Introduces a distinctive, warm, and slightly sweet spice characteristic of traditional Hungarian cuisine.
• Chicken Broth: Creates a rich, savory liquid base for the sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Adds depth, richness, and a subtle tangy undertone to the sauce.
• Sour Cream: Brings a creamy, smooth texture and slight tanginess to the final dish.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a silky consistency.

• Olive Oil: Provides a medium for searing chicken and sautéing vegetables.
• Parsley: Offers a fresh, bright finish to the completed dish.

Cooking Steps for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

Step 1: Prep Vegetables

Chop onions and bell peppers into small, consistent pieces. Make sure all vegetables are cut uniformly for even cooking and beautiful presentation.

• Onions
• Bell peppers

Step 2: Season Chicken

Sprinkle salt and black pepper over chicken pieces. Massage seasoning into meat to ensure complete coverage and deep flavor penetration.

Step 3: Sear Chicken

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken into hot pan, cooking until each side develops a beautiful golden-brown crust. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side to lock in juices and create delicious caramelization.

Step 4: Create Aromatic Base

Remove chicken from skillet. Reduce heat and add onions, allowing them to soften and become translucent. Introduce minced garlic and bell peppers, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 5: Add Spice Dimension

Sprinkle Hungarian paprika over vegetable mixture. Stir quickly to awaken the spice’s deep, complex flavor without scorching.

Step 6: Build Sauce

Pour chicken broth and tomato paste into skillet, creating a vibrant rust-colored sauce. Gently return seared chicken to the pan.

Step 7: Simmer and Develop Flavors

Cover skillet and reduce heat. Let chicken simmer for 25-30 minutes, allowing meat to cook thoroughly and absorb rich sauce flavors.

Step 8: Create Creamy Finish

Whisk flour into sour cream in a separate bowl until completely smooth. Remove skillet from heat and slowly stir in sour cream mixture to create a luxurious, velvety sauce.

Step 9: Serve and Garnish

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish. Serve hot alongside egg noodles or rice for a comforting and delicious meal.

Best Practices for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Prep Like a Pro: Dice ingredients uniformly to ensure even cooking and professional presentation.
• Spice It Right: Use fresh, high-quality Hungarian paprika for an authentic, rich flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Temper sour cream mixture slowly into the hot sauce to avoid curdling and maintain a smooth, creamy texture.
• Low and Slow Technique: Simmer chicken gently to keep meat tender and allow flavors to meld beautifully.
• Versatile Serving Options: Pair with egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes to complement the paprika chicken's rich sauce.

Creative Takes on Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Vegetarian Paprika Chicken Alternative: Replace chicken with firm tofu or seitan, using identical seasoning and cooking method for a plant-based protein option.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute traditional accompaniments with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining flavor profile.
• Spicy Hungarian Remix: Increase paprika quantity and add red pepper flakes or cayenne for a more intense, fiery version of the original recipe.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut cream instead of sour cream and replace chicken broth with vegetable stock to create a lactose-free alternative that preserves the dish's rich taste.

Serve Hungarian Chicken Paprikash With These

• Pair Perfectly with Paprika Chicken
• Elevate Flavor with Hungarian Red Wine: Bold Szekszárdi or Egri Bikavér wines complement the dish's rich paprika notes, balancing spice and depth with their robust character.
• Sync Creamy Textures with Buttered Egg Noodles: Wide, tender egg noodles provide a silky base that captures the sauce's velvety consistency, creating a harmonious mouthfeel.
• Brighten Plate with Crisp Cucumber Salad: Light, tangy cucumber salad dressed with dill and sour cream cuts through the chicken's richness, adding refreshing contrast to the hearty main course.

Keeping Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Fresh

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.
• Transfer chicken to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Pour chicken and sauce into skillet. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Check temperature to ensure even heating throughout.

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Questions Answered

• What's the purpose of searing the chicken before simmering?

Searing locks in the chicken’s natural juices and creates a delicious caramelized exterior that adds deep flavor and rich color to the final dish.

• Why use Hungarian paprika specifically?

Hungarian paprika offers a more complex, sweeter taste compared to regular paprika, providing a distinctive and authentic flavor profile that’s essential to this traditional recipe.

• How can I prevent the sour cream from curdling?

Temper the sour cream mixture by adding a small amount of hot sauce gradually and stirring constantly, which helps stabilize the cream and prevents separation during the final mixing.

• Is it important to dice vegetables uniformly?

Yes, uniform vegetable cuts ensure even cooking, consistent texture, and balanced flavor distribution throughout the dish.

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50-55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Hungarian chicken paprikash blends rich, creamy sour cream sauce with tender chicken and sweet paprika, creating a comforting culinary journey through traditional Hungarian cuisine. Warm, hearty flavors invite you to savor each delightful bite of this classic Central European comfort dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 chicken breast

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 medium onions
• 2 red bell peppers
• 3 garlic cloves

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 3 tbsp Hungarian paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Meticulously dice onions and bell peppers into uniform, small pieces while prepping all ingredients for a smooth cooking process.
2. Season chicken pieces generously with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coating across all protein surfaces.
3. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and fragrant.
4. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, searing each side until golden brown and developing a rich, caramelized exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
5. Remove browned chicken and set aside, then immediately reduce heat and add chopped onions to the same skillet, allowing them to soften and become translucent.
6. Introduce minced garlic and bell peppers, stirring continuously to prevent burning and create a flavorful aromatic base.
7. Sprinkle Hungarian paprika over the vegetable mixture, stirring quickly to bloom the spice and release its deep, rich flavor without scorching.
8. Pour in chicken broth and tomato paste, creating a vibrant, rust-colored sauce, and gently reintegrate the seared chicken pieces.
9. Reduce heat, cover the skillet, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, allowing chicken to cook through and absorb the paprika-infused sauce.
10. In a separate small bowl, whisk flour into sour cream until smooth, creating a silky thickening agent.
11. Remove chicken from heat, slowly incorporate the sour cream mixture, stirring gently to create a creamy, luxurious sauce.
12. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, serving hot over your preferred accompaniment like egg noodles or rice.

Notes

• Dice ingredients uniformly to ensure even cooking and professional presentation.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve maximum browning and create a delectable caramelized exterior.
• Use authentic Hungarian sweet paprika for the most traditional and robust flavor profile.
• Avoid overheating paprika to prevent bitterness by adding it just before liquid and stirring quickly.
• Temper sour cream mixture gradually to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, silky sauce texture.
• Choose high-fat sour cream for richer, more luxurious sauce consistency.
• Can substitute chicken thighs for more tender, flavorful meat that remains juicy during cooking.
• Gluten-free adaptation possible by using cornstarch instead of flour for sauce thickening.
• Dairy-free version achievable by replacing sour cream with coconut cream or cashew cream.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg