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