Description
Hearty Hungarian chicken paprikash showcases rich, creamy flavors that dance across delicate egg noodles with passionate culinary charm. Generations of home cooks have perfected this comforting classic, inviting you to savor a taste of Budapest’s warmest kitchen traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks)
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sweet Hungarian paprika
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sour cream
Aromatic Base:
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil or lard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra depth)
Seasoning and Thickening Agents:
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) all-purpose flour
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm a skillet over medium temperature, adding fat to create a glossy cooking surface. Gently caramelize chopped onions until they transform into a translucent, golden landscape.
- Carefully coat chicken pieces with seasoned salt and freshly cracked pepper. Transfer the seasoned protein into the fragrant onion-infused pan, allowing each surface to develop a rich, bronze exterior through careful browning.
- Reduce heat to a gentle whisper. Dust the chicken with vibrant sweet and smoky paprika, carefully massaging the spices to prevent burning and ensure complete coverage.
- Pour chicken broth around the seared meat, creating a luxurious cooking environment. Cover the skillet, allowing the liquid to gently embrace the chicken, transforming it into a tender masterpiece during a 30-minute culinary meditation.
- Prepare a silky liaison by blending sour cream with flour until no lumps remain. Slowly incorporate this creamy mixture into the bubbling sauce, stirring delicately to create a luscious, velvety texture that clings lovingly to the chicken.
- Let the sauce harmonize and thicken for several minutes, tasting and adjusting seasoning to perfection. A final flourish of freshly chopped parsley adds a bright, verdant note to this comforting Hungarian classic.
Notes
- Prevent Burning Spices: Toast paprika carefully on low heat to release rich flavors without scorching, which can make the sauce bitter and unpleasant.
- Meat Selection Flexibility: Choose chicken thighs or drumsticks for more tender, juicy results compared to lean breast meat that might dry out during cooking.
- Creamy Sauce Technique: Temper sour cream by slowly adding hot liquid before mixing into the skillet to prevent curdling and ensure a smooth, silky sauce texture.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular sour cream with Greek yogurt or dairy-free alternatives for lactose-intolerant or vegan preferences, maintaining the recipe’s authentic creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg