Description
Spicy Hungarian chicken paprikash dances with rich, creamy paprika-infused sauce, celebrating traditional flavors from Budapest’s kitchen. Hearty comfort meets culinary elegance when you savor this classic dish that connects generations through its authentic, soul-warming ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 chicken thighs (about 2.5 pounds / 1.1 kilograms)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Seasonings and Other Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chicken stock (240 milliliters)
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/2 cup sour cream (120 milliliters)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare chicken thighs by seasoning with salt and pepper thoroughly.
- Heat a pot over medium-high temperature, melt butter, and sear chicken skin-side down for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- In the same pot, melt remaining butter and sauté onions until translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate red bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until aromatic, stirring continuously.
- Pour chicken stock into the pot, mixing well. Reintroduce chicken pieces, skin-side down, and reduce heat to medium.
- Simmer the mixture for 20-25 minutes, rotating chicken midway through cooking. Verify internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F.
- Create a smooth liaison by whisking flour and sour cream in a separate bowl. Extract 1/2 cup of hot vegetable mixture and blend with sour cream to prevent curdling.
- Gently fold the tempered sour cream mixture back into the pot, ensuring even distribution and coating of chicken.
- Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh parsley and serving alongside traditional accompaniments like spaetzle, egg noodles, or roasted potatoes.
Notes
- Prevent Tough Chicken by carefully searing the thighs at medium-high heat, ensuring a golden-brown exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy.
- Control Sauce Consistency by tempering the sour cream mixture with hot liquid, which prevents curdling and creates a smooth, velvety texture.
- Enhance Flavor Depth by using high-quality Hungarian paprika, which adds a rich, complex taste and authentic regional character to the dish.
- Adapt for Dietary Needs by substituting sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version or using gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly adaptation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg