Chicken Paprikash Recipe

Table of Contents: Chicken Paprikash Recipe

Table of Contents: Chicken Paprikash Recipe

The Complete Authentic Hungarian Comfort Food Guide

Introduction

The Chicken Paprikash Recipe is one of the most iconic and beloved dishes in Hungarian cuisine, known for its vibrant red color, rich paprika-forward sauce, and irresistibly creamy texture. This traditional comfort food has been enjoyed for centuries and continues to be a staple in Hungarian households as well as a favorite among food lovers worldwide.

What sets authentic chicken paprikash apart from other chicken stews is its simplicity. Rather than relying on a complex blend of spices, the dish focuses on a single star ingredient—Hungarian paprika. When combined with slowly cooked onions, tender chicken, and sour cream, paprika transforms into a deeply flavorful sauce that is both comforting and elegant.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about making the perfect chicken paprikash recipe at home. From its cultural roots and essential ingredients to step-by-step instructions, expert tips, variations, storage advice, and frequently asked questions, this article is designed to help you master the dish with confidence.

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What Is Chicken Paprikash?

Chicken Paprikash, also known as Paprikás Csirke, is a traditional Hungarian chicken stew characterized by a rich sauce made from onions, paprika, and sour cream. The dish is gently simmered until the chicken becomes tender and infused with flavor.

Key characteristics of chicken paprikash:

• A paprika-based sauce with a deep red hue
• Soft, melt-in-your-mouth chicken
• Creamy texture from sour cream
• Mild heat with savory depth

Unlike many stews, chicken paprikash does not use herbs like thyme or bay leaves. Instead, it depends almost entirely on paprika for its distinctive taste. This minimalist approach is what makes the dish so timeless and recognizable.

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The History and Cultural Significance of Chicken Paprikash

The origins of chicken paprikash date back to the 18th century, a pivotal period in Hungarian culinary history. Before paprika became widely available, Hungarian cooking relied on black pepper for heat—an expensive spice at the time.

When paprika, made from dried and ground peppers, became affordable and accessible, it quickly replaced black pepper as the dominant seasoning. Rural cooks embraced paprika for its bold color, gentle heat, and versatility. This shift gave rise to many iconic Hungarian dishes, with chicken paprikash becoming one of the most famous.

Traditionally, the dish was:

• Cooked over open flames or wood stoves
• Served to families as an everyday meal
• Paired with homemade dumplings

Today, authentic chicken paprikash is both a home-cooked staple and a celebrated restaurant dish, representing comfort, tradition, and national pride.

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Why This Chicken Paprikash Recipe Is Authentic and Reliable

This Chicken Paprikash Recipe follows time-tested Hungarian cooking principles while remaining approachable for modern kitchens. It avoids shortcuts that compromise flavor and instead emphasizes technique and ingredient quality.

What makes this recipe work so well:

• Uses sweet Hungarian paprika rather than generic substitutes
• Relies on slow-cooked onions for natural sweetness
• Simmering ensures tender, juicy chicken
• Sour cream is added carefully to maintain a smooth sauce

For readers who enjoy exploring comforting chicken dishes, this recipe pairs well in a content cluster alongside meals like an Easy Teriyaki Chicken Dinner Recipe, offering variety while keeping chicken as the main protein.

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Ingredients for an Authentic Chicken Paprikash Recipe

Essential Ingredients

• Chicken
  • Bone-in, skin-on thighs or drumsticks are traditional
  • Boneless chicken works but produces less flavor
• Hungarian sweet paprika
  • The defining ingredient
  • Provides color, aroma, and depth
• Onions
  • Finely chopped
  • Essential for thickening the sauce naturally
• Garlic
  • Adds subtle complexity
• Chicken stock or broth
  • Enhances savory flavor
• Sour cream
  • Full-fat is recommended for richness
• Salt and black pepper
• Neutral oil or lard

Optional Ingredients

• Tomato paste or fresh tomatoes
• Bell peppers
• Hot Hungarian paprika
• Flour (used sparingly for thickening)

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Understanding the Role of Paprika in Chicken Paprikash

Paprika is the heart and soul of this dish. Not all paprika is created equal, and choosing the right one makes a dramatic difference.

Types of Hungarian paprika:

• Sweet paprika – mild, slightly sweet, and traditional
• Hot paprika – adds heat without overpowering flavor
• Noble sweet paprika – premium variety with intense aroma

Paprika tips for best results:

• Always add paprika off the heat
• Stir quickly to bloom flavor
• Never burn paprika—it turns bitter instantly
• Store in a cool, dark place

Using high-quality paprika is just as important here as balancing spices in hearty comfort dishes like a Crock Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe, where spice quality defines the final taste.

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Step-by-Step Chicken Paprikash Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Brown the Chicken

• Pat chicken dry with paper towels
• Season generously with salt and pepper
• Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot
• Brown chicken on both sides
• Remove and set aside

Why this matters:
Browning develops flavor and adds richness to the sauce.

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Step 2: Build the Onion Base

• Add chopped onions to the same pot
• Cook over medium heat
• Stir frequently until soft and golden

The onions should be fully cooked down—they act as a natural thickener.

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Step 3: Add Garlic and Paprika

• Stir in garlic and cook briefly
• Remove pot from heat
• Add Hungarian paprika

This is the most important step. Adding paprika off the heat prevents bitterness.

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Step 4: Create the Sauce

• Stir in tomato paste if using
• Pour in chicken stock
• Return chicken to pot
• Bring to a gentle simmer

Cover and cook for 35–45 minutes until the chicken is tender.

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Step 5: Finish with Sour Cream

• Scoop out some hot sauce
• Whisk into sour cream to temper
• Slowly stir back into pot

Heat gently and never boil after adding sour cream.

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Traditional Serving Suggestions

Chicken Paprikash is most commonly served with:

• Nokedli (Hungarian dumplings)
• Spaetzle
• Wide egg noodles
• Boiled or mashed potatoes

Garnish ideas:

• Fresh parsley
• Extra paprika
• Cracked black pepper

The dish pairs beautifully with simple sides, allowing the paprika sauce to shine.

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Popular Variations of Chicken Paprikash

Creamier Chicken Paprikash

• Increase sour cream
• Add a light flour slurry

Lighter Version

• Reduce sour cream
• Substitute Greek yogurt

Spicy Paprikash

• Add hot Hungarian paprika
• Include chili flakes

Instant Pot Chicken Paprikash

• Sauté onions and paprika first
• Pressure cook chicken for 10 minutes
• Stir in sour cream afterward

These adaptations allow the dish to fit modern lifestyles, similar to how an Easy Teriyaki Chicken Dinner Recipe can be customized for quick weeknight meals.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using low-quality paprika
• Burning paprika during cooking
• Adding sour cream too quickly
• Boiling after sour cream is added
• Overcooking boneless chicken

Avoiding these mistakes ensures a smooth, flavorful sauce every time.

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Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Per serving:

• Calories: ~420
• Protein: ~32 g
• Fat: ~28 g
• Carbohydrates: ~10 g

Dietary notes:

• Naturally gluten-free (omit flour)
• Keto-friendly
• Adaptable for dairy-free diets

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Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage

• Refrigerate up to 4 days
• Freeze up to 2 months (best without sour cream)

Reheating

• Reheat gently on the stovetop
• Add broth if sauce thickens
• Avoid high heat

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FAQs – Chicken Paprikash Recipe

What is chicken paprikash?

A traditional Hungarian chicken stew made with paprika and sour cream.

Can I use boneless chicken?

Yes, but bone-in chicken provides richer flavor.

Is chicken paprikash spicy?

Traditionally mild, but spice can be adjusted.

Why did my sauce curdle?

Sour cream was added too quickly or at high heat.

What should I serve with chicken paprikash?

Dumplings, noodles, potatoes, or rice.

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Why Chicken Paprikash Is Ideal for Meal Prep

This dish improves with time, making it perfect for:

• Batch cooking
• Leftovers
• Family meals

The flavors deepen overnight, resulting in an even richer sauce the next day.

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Conclusion

This Chicken Paprikash Recipe is a celebration of Hungarian comfort food at its finest. With its bold paprika flavor, tender chicken, and creamy sauce, it’s a dish that feels both rustic and elegant.

By mastering this authentic chicken paprikash, you’re embracing a timeless culinary tradition that has brought comfort to generations. Whether served for a cozy dinner or prepared ahead for the week, this dish deserves a permanent place in your recipe collection.

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