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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Meticulously dice onions and bell peppers into uniform, small pieces while prepping all ingredients for a smooth cooking process.
- Season chicken pieces generously with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coating across all protein surfaces.
- Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and fragrant.
- 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.
- 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.
- Introduce minced garlic and bell peppers, stirring continuously to prevent burning and create a flavorful aromatic base.
- Sprinkle Hungarian paprika over the vegetable mixture, stirring quickly to bloom the spice and release its deep, rich flavor without scorching.
- Pour in chicken broth and tomato paste, creating a vibrant, rust-colored sauce, and gently reintegrate the seared chicken pieces.
- Reduce heat, cover the skillet, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, allowing chicken to cook through and absorb the paprika-infused sauce.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk flour into sour cream until smooth, creating a silky thickening agent.
- Remove chicken from heat, slowly incorporate the sour cream mixture, stirring gently to create a creamy, luxurious sauce.
- 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