Description
Chicken Paprikash is a classic Hungarian dish featuring tender chicken thighs and drumsticks cooked in a rich, flavorful paprika sauce made with butter, onions, garlic, and both sweet and smoked paprika. Finished with a creamy sour cream and flour mixture, this comforting stew is perfect served over egg noodles or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 kg Chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 2 cups chicken broth (up to 2.5 cups for more sauce)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Thickening Mixture
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1.5 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Rinse and pat dry the chicken thighs and drumsticks. Season them with salt and pepper.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Paprika: Remove the pan from heat briefly to prevent paprika from burning. Stir in the sweet Hungarian paprika and smoked paprika (if using) until well combined with the onions and garlic.
- Cook the Chicken: Return the pan to medium heat and add the chicken pieces. Brown the chicken on all sides, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the chicken is mostly covered. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Prepare Sour Cream Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, flour, and water until smooth.
- Thicken the Sauce: Remove the cooked chicken to a plate. Stir the sour cream mixture into the pan sauce off the heat to prevent curdling. Return the chicken to the pan and warm through gently for 5 minutes without boiling.
- Season and Serve: Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve the chicken paprikash hot over egg noodles, spaetzle, or rice.
Notes
- Be sure to remove the pan from heat when adding paprika to avoid bitterness.
- For more sauce, you can add up to 2.5 cups of chicken broth depending on your preference.
- Do not boil the sauce after adding sour cream to prevent curdling; warm gently instead.
- This dish pairs beautifully with egg noodles, but mashed potatoes or rice are also excellent options.
- Using skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks adds extra flavor and richness to the dish.
Keywords: Chicken Paprikash, Hungarian chicken stew, paprika chicken recipe, creamy chicken stew, traditional Hungarian dish