Description
Classic Chicken Paprikash is a hearty Hungarian staple featuring tender chicken in a rich, creamy, deeply flavorful sauce infused with sweet Hungarian paprika. It’s a comforting and simple dish perfect for busy weeknights and family gatherings.
Ingredients
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: 2 lbs (about 6-8 thighs), cut into 1-inch pieces
- Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil: 2 tbsp
- Yellow Onion: 1 large, finely chopped
- Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
- Hungarian Sweet Paprika: 3 tbsp
- Chicken Broth: 2 cups
- Canned Diced Tomatoes: 14.5 oz can, undrained
- Sour Cream: 1/2 cup (full-fat recommended)
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 tbsp
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste
- Fresh Parsley: For garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. 1. Sear the Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry. Season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Brown chicken in batches until golden; do not overcrowd the pan. Remove chicken and set aside.
2. 2. Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion to the pot, cooking until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. 3. Add Paprika: Immediately remove the pot from heat. Stir in the Hungarian sweet paprika. This crucial step prevents the paprika from burning, preserving its sweet flavor.
4. 4. Deglaze and Simmer: Return pot to heat. Pour in chicken broth and diced tomatoes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5. 5. Return Chicken: Add the seared chicken back to the pot. Stir well. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
6. 6. Thicken the Sauce: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and flour until smooth.
7. 7. Finish the Paprikash: Gently stir a few tablespoons of the warm sauce into the sour cream mixture to temper it. Then, slowly pour the tempered sour cream back into the pot, stirring constantly. Simmer for another 5 minutes, without boiling, until the sauce thickens slightly.
8. 8. Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Searing, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: N/A
Keywords: Chicken Paprikash, Hungarian, Comfort Food, Creamy Sauce, Weeknight Meal, Family Favorite, Paprika, Chicken Thighs, Hearty, Easy
