The Best Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe You’ll Ever Taste

Comfort meets culinary magic in this hearty hungarian chicken paprikash that whispers stories of traditional kitchens.

Generations have perfected this delectable dish across rural landscapes.

Tender chicken pieces swim in a rich, creamy sauce infused with sweet paprika’s deep red warmth.

Fragrant onions and peppers create a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Robust yet delicate, the recipe carries the soul of hungarian home cooking.

Each bite connects you to centuries of culinary heritage.

This classic meal promises to transport you straight to the charming countryside with its irresistible aroma and taste.

Why Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Is A Flavorful Tradition

• Master Quick Cooking: A beginner-friendly recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy Hungarian classic with minimal kitchen skills required.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable dish that welcomes personal tweaks like swapping chicken cuts, adjusting spice levels, or incorporating additional vegetables for personalized flavor profiles.
• One-Pan Wonder: Streamlined cooking method eliminates multiple dish cleanup, allowing home chefs to create a restaurant-quality meal using just a single skillet with minimal kitchen equipment.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Creamy, rich sauce and tender chicken combine to create a universally appealing meal that satisfies diverse palates from kids to adults, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

What Ingredients Go In Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Chicken Thighs, Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that creates a rich, hearty base for the classic Hungarian dish.

• Onions, Red Bell Pepper, Garlic: A flavor foundation that builds depth and complexity in the sauce.

• Sweet Paprika: The signature spice that gives the dish its authentic Hungarian character.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and additional depth to the cooking liquid.
• Tomato Paste: Adds richness and a subtle tangy undertone to the sauce.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for searing and sautéing the ingredients.

• Sour Cream, Heavy Cream: Create a luxurious, velvety texture for the final sauce.
• Flour: Helps to thicken and stabilize the cream mixture.

• Fresh Parsley, Lemon: Bright, fresh elements that add a final layer of flavor and visual appeal.

How To Make Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Easily

Step 1: Prepare Aromatic Vegetables

Slice onions and red bell peppers into thin strips. Mince garlic cloves finely to create a flavorful foundation for the dish.

Step 2: Sear Chicken Perfectly

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and season generously. Cook until golden brown on both sides, developing a beautiful caramelized exterior.

Step 3: Create Vegetable Base

Remove chicken from the skillet. Lower heat to medium and add onions, cooking until they become soft and translucent.

• Onions
• Minced garlic
• Red bell peppers

Stir the vegetables frequently to prevent burning and develop deep flavors.

Step 4: Enhance with Paprika

Sprinkle sweet paprika over the vegetable mixture. Stir quickly to prevent scorching and release the spice’s vibrant aroma.

Step 5: Combine Chicken and Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Tomato paste

Create a rich, flavorful braising liquid that will infuse the chicken with incredible taste.

Step 6: Slow Simmer

Cover the skillet and reduce heat. Simmer for 25-30 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook thoroughly and absorb the paprika-infused sauce.

Step 7: Create Creamy Sauce

• Sour cream
• Heavy cream
• Flour

Blend until smooth to create a luxurious sauce base.

Step 8: Finish the Sauce

Temper the cream mixture by slowly adding hot cooking liquid. Gradually stir the entire mixture back into the skillet. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.

Step 9: Serve and Garnish

Plate the chicken and sauce. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top. Add a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Serve this traditional Hungarian comfort dish hot and enjoy the rich, creamy flavors.

Cooking Tips For Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Choose Sharp Knives: Use high-quality, sharp knives for precise, uniform slicing of onions and bell peppers to ensure even cooking and professional presentation.
• Control Paprika Heat: Select mild sweet paprika for authentic flavor or mix with hot paprika to adjust spice levels according to personal preference.
• Temper Cream Carefully: Add hot cooking liquid gradually to sour cream mixture to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, silky sauce texture.
• Optimize Chicken Browning: Pat chicken pieces dry before searing to achieve a golden-brown crust and maximize flavor development in the skillet.
• Manage Moisture Levels: Avoid overcrowding the pan during chicken searing to maintain high heat and prevent steaming instead of caramelization.

Different Ways To Try Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Spicy Paprika Chicken: Replace sweet paprika with hot paprika or add red chili flakes for an extra kick of heat and intensity.
• Mediterranean-Style Variation: Swap chicken for lean turkey breast and add oregano, olives, and feta cheese to create a Greek-inspired version.
• Low-Carb Paleo Option: Eliminate flour from cream sauce, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and serve over cauliflower rice for a grain-free alternative.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms, maintaining the rich paprika sauce and vegetable base for a plant-based adaptation.

What Pairs Best With Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• Pair with Robust Hungarian Red Wine: Choose a full-bodied Egri Bikavér (Bull's Blood) wine that complements the rich, paprika-infused chicken with its spicy and complex flavor profile.
• Serve Alongside Buttery Egg Noodles: Create a perfect base for the creamy sauce by preparing wide, soft egg noodles that soak up the delicious paprika-cream sauce beautifully.
• Match with Crisp Cucumber Salad: Prepare a light, tangy cucumber salad with vinegar and dill to provide a refreshing contrast to the hearty, creamy chicken dish and cut through its richness.
• Complement with Hungarian Pickles: Add traditional kovászos uborka (fermented pickles) as a zesty side that brings bright acidity and crunch to balance the creamy, warm chicken paprikash.

How To Store Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping chicken and sauce together. Properly sealed, the dish will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer portions to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Chicken paprikash can be frozen up to 3 months. Label container with date and contents for easy tracking.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Pour leftovers into skillet over medium-low heat. Add splash of chicken broth to prevent drying.

FAQs About Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

• What is the key spice that gives this dish its authentic Hungarian flavor?

Sweet paprika is the signature spice that provides the distinctive, rich flavor and vibrant color characteristic of traditional Hungarian cuisine.

• Can I use different cuts of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs and breasts with drumsticks or bone-in chicken pieces. Just ensure the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.

• How important is it to sear the chicken before braising?

Searing is crucial as it creates a golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and develops a deeper, more complex flavor profile for the chicken.

• Why do I need to temper the cream mixture before adding it to the skillet?

Tempering prevents the cream from curdling by gradually bringing it to the same temperature as the hot cooking liquid, ensuring a smooth, creamy sauce without separation.

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe

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4.5 from 28 reviews

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

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Description

Savory Hungarian chicken paprikash whisks you into Budapest’s culinary heart with its rich, creamy sauce and tender chicken. Paprika’s warmth and sour cream’s silkiness blend perfectly, creating a comforting dish that connects you to generations of Hungarian home cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

main ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 lb chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp sweet paprika

vegetables:

• 2 medium onions
• 1 red bell pepper
• 2 garlic cloves

dairy and sauce ingredients:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp tomato paste

optional garnish:

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 lemon (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Slice onions and red bell pepper into thin, uniform strips, then mince garlic cloves to prepare the aromatic base for this classic Hungarian dish.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then carefully add chicken thighs and breasts, seasoning generously with salt and black pepper.
3. Sear chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides, approximately 4-5 minutes per side, creating a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in moisture.
4. Remove browned chicken from the skillet and set aside, then immediately add sliced onions to the same pan, reducing heat to medium and allowing them to soften and become translucent.
5. Incorporate minced garlic and red bell pepper into the onions, stirring frequently to prevent burning and develop a deep, complex flavor profile.
6. Sprinkle sweet paprika over the vegetable mixture, stirring quickly to prevent scorching and release its vibrant, aromatic essence.
7. Return chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces among the vegetables, then pour in chicken broth and tomato paste, creating a rich, flavorful braising liquid.
8. Cover the skillet and simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through and absorb the paprika-infused sauce.
9. In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, heavy cream, and flour until smooth, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce base.
10. Carefully temper the cream mixture by slowly adding a small amount of hot cooking liquid, then gradually stir the entire mixture back into the skillet.
11. Gently simmer for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken with a creamy, tangy finish.
12. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with a squeeze of lemon, presenting a vibrant, traditional Hungarian comfort dish.

Notes

• Select bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring juicy meat that absorbs the paprika sauce beautifully.
• Toast paprika briefly in the pan to enhance its rich, sweet flavor profile and prevent any bitter undertones from developing.
• Temper sour cream carefully by adding hot liquid gradually to prevent curdling, creating a smooth, silky sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.
• Adapt for gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder when thickening the creamy sauce.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 500 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg