The Creamiest Instant Pot Chicken Paprikash Recipe Ever

Hearty hungarian chicken paprikash brings comfort straight to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Creamy and rich, this classic dish transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal.

Paprika adds vibrant color and deep flavor that makes every bite extraordinary.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this traditional recipe, passing down techniques through family kitchens.

Tender chicken pieces nestled in a velvety sauce create a delightful main course.

Cooking becomes effortless when you harness the power of an instant pot.

Steaming hot and packed with authentic flavor, this dish promises to become a new favorite at your table.

What Makes Chicken Paprikash So Comforting and Bold

• Quickly Prepare Hearty Comfort Food: A one-pot meal that delivers rich, satisfying flavors with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customize Your Culinary Experience: Adaptable recipe allows swapping chicken thighs for breasts or adjusting spice levels to personal preference.
• Master Hungarian Cuisine Instantly: Traditional dish simplified through modern pressure cooking technology, bringing authentic European taste directly to your table.
• Family-Friendly Dinner Solution: Kid-approved meal that transforms simple ingredients into a creamy, delicious dinner everyone will love and request again.

The Essentials for Creamy Chicken Paprikash

• Chicken Thighs: Tender and flavorful meat that forms the core of this classic Hungarian dish.

• Hungarian Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Signature spice blend that provides deep, rich flavor and traditional Hungarian character to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and create a flavorful base.
• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and additional savory depth to the sauce.
• Onion: Adds aromatic sweetness and foundational flavor to the dish.
• Sour Cream, Flour: Creamy mixture that creates a smooth, luxurious sauce with perfect thickness.

• Egg Noodles, Fresh Parsley: Traditional accompaniment that complements the chicken and adds a fresh garnish.

How to Use Your Instant Pot for Maximum Flavor

Step 1: Fire Up the Instant Pot

Activate the sauté mode and pour in olive oil, letting it heat up until shimmering and ready for cooking.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatic Onions

Toss diced onions into the hot oil and cook until they become soft, translucent, and release their sweet fragrance.

Step 3: Bloom the Spices

• Hungarian paprika
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir and sauté for a minute to awaken the spices’ intense flavors.

Step 4: Brown the Chicken

Add chicken thighs to the pot and sear each side until they develop a golden-brown crust, creating delicious caramelization.

Step 5: Deglaze the Pot

Pour chicken broth into the pot, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom.

Step 6: Pressure Cook

Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 15 minutes, allowing the chicken to become tender and juicy.

Step 7: Release the Pressure

Let the pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then quickly release any remaining steam.

Step 8: Prepare the Creamy Sauce

• Sour cream
• Flour

Stir this mixture into the pot to create a rich, velvety sauce.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Return chicken to the pot, coating it generously with the creamy paprika sauce. Plate over egg noodles and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a stunning presentation.

Tips for Rich Paprika Sauce and Tender Chicken

• Ensure authentic flavor by using high-quality Hungarian paprika for a rich, deep taste.
• Prevent tough chicken by selecting bone-in, skin-on thighs which stay more tender during pressure cooking.
• Temper the sour cream mixture gradually to avoid curdling by adding a little hot liquid before stirring into the pot.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting cornstarch for flour when thickening the sauce.
• Enhance meal prep by making extra sauce and freezing for future quick dinners, keeping chicken separate until reheating.

Tasty Ways to Switch Up This Hungarian Classic

• Spicy Hungarian Heat: Amp up the heat by adding diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper during the sautéing stage for a fiery kick.
• Creamy Mushroom Edition: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onions to introduce an earthy depth and extra texture to the classic dish.
• Mediterranean Chicken Remix: Replace Hungarian paprika with smoked paprika and add diced bell peppers for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Rustic Vegetable Boost: Incorporate diced carrots and celery along with the onions to create a more robust and nutritious version of the traditional recipe.

What to Serve with Chicken Paprikash

• Enhance Flavor Harmony: Pair crisp Hungarian white wine like Olaszrizling to complement the paprika's warmth and balance the creamy sauce.
• Create Perfect Side Companion: Serve with buttered egg noodles or crusty sourdough bread to soak up the rich, velvety sauce.
• Match Refreshing Beverage: Choose light German-style wheat beer or pilsner that cuts through the dish's richness while highlighting its savory notes.
• Elevate Dining Experience: Add tangy cucumber salad dressed with dill and vinegar to provide fresh, zesty contrast against the hearty chicken paprikash.

How to Keep Leftovers Just as Tasty Tomorrow

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the chicken and sauce together. Refrigerated portions stay fresh for 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled chicken paprikash to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Microwave Reheat: Place chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.
• Stovetop Reheat: Pour chicken and sauce into a skillet, add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs About Making Chicken Paprikash Fast

• What is Hungarian paprika, and why is it important in this recipe?

Hungarian paprika is a specific type of ground red pepper from Hungary, known for its rich, sweet flavor and vibrant red color. It’s crucial in chicken paprikash because it provides the dish’s signature taste and authentic Hungarian character.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but chicken thighs are recommended because they’re more flavorful and tender. Breasts might dry out more quickly, so reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes to prevent overcooking.

• Is this recipe spicy?

No, traditional chicken paprikash is not spicy. Hungarian paprika used here is typically sweet and mild, focusing on flavor depth rather than heat. If you want a bit of kick, you can add a pinch of hot paprika.

Instant Pot Chicken Paprikash Recipe

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4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Hungarian classic Chicken Paprikash emerges effortlessly from your instant pot, blending rich paprika-infused flavors with tender chicken and creamy sauce. Comfort and tradition meld perfectly, inviting you to savor each satisfying spoonful of this soul-warming European delicacy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Aromatics and Spices:

• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Liquid and Thickening Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1/2 cup (120 grams) sour cream
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (16 grams) flour

Garnish and Serving:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Egg noodles

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

1. Activate the Instant Pot’s sauté function and warm the olive oil until shimmering.
2. Introduce diced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
3. Sprinkle Hungarian paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the pot, stirring to awaken the aromatic spices for about 1 minute.
4. Carefully place chicken thighs into the pot, browning each side for 2-3 minutes to develop a rich golden exterior.
5. Pour chicken broth into the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape and release any caramelized bits from the bottom.
6. Secure the lid and program the Instant Pot to high-pressure cooking for 15 minutes, ensuring thorough chicken preparation.
7. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quickly vent any remaining pressure.
8. Extract chicken pieces and temporarily transfer to a separate plate.
9. Create a smooth thickening agent by whisking sour cream and flour in a small bowl, then gently incorporate into the cooking liquid to create a velvety sauce.
10. Reintroduce chicken to the pot, delicately coating each piece with the creamy paprika sauce.
11. Plate the chicken paprikash over egg noodles, garnishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant presentation.

Notes

• Always use Hungarian sweet paprika for authentic flavor, as it provides a rich, deep taste distinct from regular paprika.
• Consider using bone-in chicken thighs for extra moisture and deeper flavor profile, which helps prevent dry meat.
• Whisking sour cream with flour before adding prevents curdling and ensures a smooth, creamy sauce texture.
• For gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with cornstarch or almond flour to maintain sauce consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 120mg