Rich, creamy, and soul-warming – this traditional Hungarian Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke) brings generations of comfort food wisdom to your dinner table. With tender chicken swimming in a luxuriously smooth paprika-spiced sauce, this dish is both elegant and deeply satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This authentic recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor while being surprisingly simple to make. The velvety sauce, tender chicken, and subtle blend of spices create a dish that’s perfect for both family dinners and special occasions.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 3 pounds chicken thighs and legs, with skin
• 2 tablespoons high-quality Hungarian paprika
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 4 tablespoons butter or lard
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 tablespoon Hungarian hot paprika paste (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Sauce

• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Base

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon paprika
2. Heat butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat
3. Brown chicken pieces in batches, skin-side down first
4. Remove chicken and set aside

Build the Flavor

1. In same pot, sauté onions until golden (about 8 minutes)
2. Add garlic and remaining paprika, stir for 30 seconds
3. Add tomato and hot paprika paste if using
4. Return chicken to pot

Create the Sauce

1. Pour in chicken broth
2. Bring to simmer, cover, and cook for 45 minutes
3. Remove chicken when tender
4. Whisk flour into sour cream until smooth
5. Slowly stir sour cream mixture into sauce
6. Return chicken and warm through

Pro Tips

• Use genuine Hungarian paprika for authentic flavor
• Don’t let paprika burn when adding to hot oil
• Temper sour cream to prevent curdling
• Let dish rest 10 minutes before serving

Traditional Serving Suggestions

• Hungarian nokedli (dumplings)
• Buttered egg noodles
• Crusty bread
• Simple cucumber salad

Storage Notes

• Keeps in refrigerator for 3-4 days
• Reheat gently to prevent sauce from breaking
• Freezes well without sour cream added

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Paprikash represents the heart of Hungarian cuisine – simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary through time-honored techniques. Each spoonful delivers comfort and satisfaction that only generations-old recipes can provide.

Share your paprikash journey with me in the comments! 🍗❤️