The Best Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Paprikash crafts ordinary chicken into a culinary masterpiece that sings with rich, vibrant flavors.

This classic Hungarian dish carries generations of cultural heritage within its creamy, robust sauce.

Authentic paprikash speaks directly to comfort food lovers seeking depth and warmth on their dinner plates.

Tender meat melts beneath layers of complex spice and smooth texture, creating an experience beyond simple cooking.

Mild yet distinctive paprika weaves its magic through each carefully constructed bite, elevating humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Family recipes passed down through decades celebrate this hearty meal’s ability to connect generations around a single, steaming pot.

Hungarian home cooks understand that true cooking means infusing love and tradition into every spoonful.

What You’ll Need for Chicken Paprikash

• Chicken Thighs: Tender, bone-in cuts perfect for rich, deep flavor with crispy skin potential.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance meat's natural taste and provide initial flavor layers.

• Onions, Red Bell Pepper: Foundational vegetables that create depth and sweetness in the sauce.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient adding complexity and traditional Hungarian cooking profile.
• Paprika: Signature Hungarian spice providing warm, sweet-smoky flavor and vibrant red color.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato product offering rich umami and slight acidic background.

• Butter: Rich fat for sautéing and adding luxurious flavor to the dish.
• Chicken Stock: Liquid base providing additional depth and moisture for braising.
• Flour: Thickening agent to create smooth, velvety sauce texture.
• Sour Cream: Creamy element adding tanginess and creating signature silky sauce.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright garnish and light herbal finish.

Traditional Method for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

• Pat chicken thighs dry
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper
• Set aside at room temperature

Step 2: Sear Chicken Golden

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat
• Place chicken skin-side down
• Cook until crispy and golden brown (about 4 minutes)
• Transfer chicken to a separate plate

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

• Onions
• Red bell pepper
• Garlic
• Tomato paste
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Sauté vegetables in remaining butter until soft and fragrant (3-4 minutes)

Step 4: Build Cooking Liquid

• Pour chicken stock into skillet
• Stir to combine all ingredients
• Nestle chicken back into liquid
• Simmer gently for 20-25 minutes
• Flip chicken halfway through cooking

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce

• Whisk sour cream and flour in a separate bowl
• Slowly incorporate hot cooking liquid
• Stir until mixture is smooth
• Pour back into skillet
• Simmer until sauce thickens

Step 6: Finish and Serve

• Coat chicken in creamy sauce
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley
• Serve with egg noodles or spaetzle
• Enjoy your Hungarian comfort meal!

Cooking Tips for Rich, Spicy Chicken Paprikash

• Sear for Maximum Flavor: Achieve a golden-brown crust on chicken thighs by patting them dry before seasoning and ensuring the pan is hot enough for a perfect sear.
• Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Temper the sour cream mixture by slowly adding hot liquid from the pot, whisking constantly to create a smooth, silky sauce without curdling.
• Spice it Right: Use high-quality Hungarian paprika for authentic flavor, and adjust the amount to your heat preference- sweet or hot varieties work wonderfully.
• Rest for Juiciness: Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking to help redistribute juices, ensuring tender and moist meat every time.
• Enhance Depth of Flavor: Toast the paprika briefly with onions and garlic to release its full aromatic potential and develop a richer, more complex taste profile.

Reheating and Saving Chicken Paprikash Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken paprikash to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep sauce and chicken together to maintain moisture.
• Freeze: Pack leftovers in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Store frozen for 2-3 months. Label container with date to track freshness.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken stock if sauce appears dry. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure food safety.

What to Serve with Hungarian Paprikash

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the rich, creamy paprikash with a zesty Hungarian Furmint or a light Pinot Grigio, cutting through the dish's velvety sauce and enhancing its delicate paprika flavors.
• Serve with Tangy Cucumber Salad: Balance the hearty chicken with a refreshing Hungarian-style cucumber salad dressed in vinegar, dill, and a touch of sour cream to provide a cool, acidic contrast.
• Match with Hearty Red Cabbage Side: Add a traditional Eastern European touch by serving a warm red cabbage side dish seasoned with caraway seeds, which brings a slightly sweet and earthy note that harmonizes beautifully with the paprika's warmth.
• Recommend Crusty Bread Pairing: Grab a rustic sourdough or traditional Hungarian pogácsa to soak up the luxurious sauce, ensuring no delicious flavor goes to waste and adding a delightful textural element to the meal.

Tasty Variations for Chicken Paprikash Fans

• Spicy Paprika Fusion: Replace regular paprika with smoked paprika and add a diced jalapeño for an extra kick of heat that transforms the classic Hungarian recipe into a zesty meal.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Swap bell peppers with diced zucchini and add fresh oregano, thyme, and rosemary to give the dish a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile while keeping the creamy sauce intact.
• Rustic Mushroom Upgrade: Incorporate sliced cremini or wild mushrooms during the onion sautéing stage to add an earthy depth and provide a hearty texture to the traditional chicken paprikash.
• Light Yogurt Version: Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier sauce that reduces calories while maintaining the creamy consistency of the original recipe.

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash: A Flavorful Classic

• Savor Rich Cultural Comfort: This Hungarian chicken paprikash delivers a heartwarming taste of traditional Eastern European cuisine with its deep, robust flavors and creamy sauce that wraps around tender chicken like a culinary hug.
• Simplify Gourmet Cooking: Despite looking complex, this recipe requires minimal technical skills, making restaurant-quality Hungarian cuisine accessible to home cooks with basic kitchen experience and standard ingredients.
• Transform Everyday Ingredients: Ordinary chicken thighs and pantry staples magically become an extraordinary meal through smart techniques like browning meat, building layered flavors, and creating a silky sauce that elevates the entire dish.
• Experience Texture Symphony: The recipe beautifully balances crispy chicken skin, tender meat, and a velvety smooth paprika-infused sauce that creates an incredible mouthfeel with every single bite.

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Hungarian chicken paprikash brings comfort and tradition to dinner tables across Eastern Europe. Tender chicken simmers in a creamy paprika-infused sauce, inviting you to savor classic flavors that connect generations through one delicious meal.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 4 chicken thighs (approximately 2.5 pounds / 1.13 kilograms)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

Seasonings and Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon flour
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Generously coat chicken thighs with salt and pepper, ensuring even seasoning across both surfaces.
2. Melt butter in a spacious pot over medium-high temperature, creating a rich cooking environment.
3. Carefully place chicken thighs skin-side down, allowing them to develop a golden-brown crust for 3-4 minutes.
4. Transfer browned chicken to a separate plate, reserving for later integration.
5. Introduce remaining butter to the pot, allowing it to melt completely.
6. Gently sauté diced onions until they become translucent and soft.
7. Incorporate red bell peppers, minced garlic, tomato paste, paprika, salt, and black pepper, stirring continuously to develop a robust flavor profile.
8. Pour chicken stock into the pot, creating a fragrant liquid base.
9. Reduce heat to medium and reintroduce chicken thighs, positioning them skin-side down.
10. Simmer the chicken for approximately 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to ensure uniform cooking.
11. Verify chicken doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F.
12. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside temporarily.
13. Whisk flour and sour cream in a separate bowl, creating a smooth mixture.
14. Gradually incorporate 1/2 cup of hot liquid from the pot into the sour cream mixture, preventing flour clumping.
15. Blend the tempered sour cream mixture back into the pot, stirring until the sauce thickens elegantly.
16. Reunite chicken with the creamy sauce, ensuring thorough coating.
17. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley as a vibrant garnish.
18. Serve alongside traditional accompaniments like spaetzle, noodles, or roasted potatoes.

Notes

• Prep Ahead: Chop onions, peppers, and measure spices before starting to streamline cooking process and reduce stress in the kitchen.
• Smart Seasoning: Use quality Hungarian paprika for authentic flavor, ensuring a rich, deep taste that defines this classic comfort dish.
• Temperature Technique: Brown chicken skin first to lock in juices and create a delicious golden exterior that adds incredible depth to the overall recipe.
• Sauce Salvation: Slowly incorporate hot liquid into sour cream mixture to prevent curdling, creating a silky smooth sauce every single time.
• Serving Suggestion: Pair with traditional spaetzle or egg noodles to soak up the creamy, paprika-infused sauce for a truly satisfying meal.
• Storage Secret: Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, with flavors continuing to develop and intensify overnight.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Hungarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 120mg