Chicken Paprikash (Paprika Chicken)

Chicken Paprikash (Paprika Chicken) is a medium Hungarian recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by No Recipes on YouTube.

Prep: 20 min | Cook: 1 hr 15 min | Total: 1 hr 50 min

Cost: $12.41 total, $3.10 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks (bone‑in, skin‑on, trimmed)
  • 1 cup Onion (minced)
  • 1 cup Anaheim or Banana Peppers (chopped, seeds removed if less heat desired)
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt (kosher or sea salt)
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock (low‑sodium, homemade or store‑bought)
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra‑virgin, for browning)
  • 2 tablespoons Paprika (sweet Hungarian paprika (smoked optional))
  • 1 cup Sour Cream (full‑fat, for finishing sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour (for thickening the sour‑cream paste)

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken

    Pat the chicken pieces dry, then sprinkle both sides with 1 teaspoon of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Brown the Chicken

    Heat the heavy‑bottomed pot over medium heat, add olive oil, and once shimmering, place the chicken skin‑side down in a single layer. Brown without moving for 4‑5 minutes, then flip and brown the other side. Work in 2‑3 batches to avoid overcrowding.

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: medium

  3. Set Chicken Aside

    Transfer the browned chicken to a bowl and keep warm while you cook the vegetables.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Steam Onions and Peppers

    Add the minced onion and chopped peppers to the same pot, cover with the lid, and reduce heat to medium‑low. Let steam for about 5 minutes until softened.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: medium

  5. Caramelize the Vegetables

    Remove the lid, turn the heat up to medium‑high, and sauté the onions and peppers until they turn golden brown, about 5 minutes.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: medium-high

  6. Add Paprika

    Stir in the sweet Hungarian paprika and cook for about 10 seconds, just until fragrant.

    Time: PT0M

  7. Simmer the Chicken

    Pour in the chicken stock, return the browned chicken to the pot, cover, and lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 40‑50 minutes until the meat is fall‑off‑the‑bone tender.

    Time: PT45M

    Temperature: low

  8. Prepare Sour‑Cream Paste

    While the chicken simmers, whisk the flour into the sour cream until smooth; this will thicken the sauce later.

    Time: PT5M

  9. Temper the Sour‑Cream Mixture

    Remove a ladleful of the hot sauce and slowly whisk it into the sour‑cream paste, repeating until the mixture is warm. Then gently stir the tempered mixture back into the pot over low heat, avoiding a boil.

    Time: PT5M

    Temperature: low

  10. Finish and Serve

    Taste the sauce and adjust salt or pepper if needed. Serve the chicken and sauce over traditional nokedli or egg noodles.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
25g
Carbohydrates
10g
Fat
20g
Fiber
1g

Dietary info: Contains dairy, Contains gluten, High protein, Keto‑friendly (low carb)

Allergens: Dairy (sour cream), Gluten (flour)

Last updated: April 18, 2026

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Chicken Paprikash (Paprika Chicken)

Recipe by No Recipes

A comforting Hungarian stew of browned chicken thighs and drumsticks simmered in a rich paprika‑infused sauce finished with a silky sour‑cream and flour paste. Served over traditional nokedli or egg noodles, this one‑pot dish is perfect for chilly evenings.

MediumHungarianServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
22m
Prep
1h 7m
Cook
11m
Cleanup
1h 40m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$12.41
Total cost
$3.10
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Season the chicken evenly
  • Brown the chicken without overcrowding
  • Add paprika briefly to release aroma
  • Simmer chicken until fall‑off‑the‑bone tender
  • Temper the sour‑cream mixture to avoid curdling

Safety Warnings

  • Hot oil can splatter – use a splatter guard if needed
  • When tempering sour cream, add hot liquid slowly to prevent curdling
  • Handle the pot handles with oven mitts as they become hot

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Hungarian Chicken Paprikash in Hungarian cuisine?

A

Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke) is a classic comfort dish that emerged in the 19th century after paprika became a staple spice in Hungary. It reflects the country’s love for rich, paprika‑laden stews and is traditionally served at family meals and festive gatherings.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of Hungarian Chicken Paprikash in Central Europe?

A

In western Hungary, the sauce may be thickened with sour cream only, while eastern regions sometimes add a touch of tomato paste or use smoked paprika for a deeper flavor. In neighboring Austria, the dish is occasionally finished with a splash of cream instead of sour cream.

cultural
Q

How is authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash traditionally served in Hungary?

A

It is traditionally served over nokedli, small soft egg‑dumplings similar to spaetzle, and often accompanied by a simple cucumber salad or pickles to cut through the richness of the sauce.

cultural
Q

During which occasions is Hungarian Chicken Paprikash commonly prepared in Hungarian culture?

A

Paprikash is a go‑to dish for weekend family lunches, holiday gatherings such as Christmas Eve, and cooler autumn or winter evenings when a warm, hearty stew is desired.

cultural
Q

How does Hungarian Chicken Paprikash fit into the broader Hungarian cuisine tradition?

A

Paprikash showcases the hallmark Hungarian ingredient—paprika—and exemplifies the cuisine’s emphasis on slow‑cooked, meat‑based stews that balance savory depth with a subtle tang from sour cream.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Traditional ingredients include bone‑in chicken, sweet Hungarian paprika, sour cream, and chicken stock. Acceptable substitutes are chicken broth instead of stock, Greek yogurt for sour cream, and all‑purpose flour for thickening, though the flavor profile changes slightly.

cultural
Q

What other Hungarian dishes pair well with Hungarian Chicken Paprikash?

A

Paprikash pairs beautifully with nokedli, buttered egg noodles, or a simple buttered rice. Side dishes like pickled cabbage, cucumber salad, or a light green bean salad complement the rich sauce.

cultural
Q

What makes Hungarian Chicken Paprikash special or unique in Hungarian cuisine?

A

The dish’s signature is the bright, sweet paprika flavor combined with the creamy tang of sour cream, creating a sauce that is both aromatic and velvety—a hallmark of Hungarian comfort food.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Hungarian Chicken Paprikash?

A

Common mistakes include burning the paprika (which makes it bitter), adding sour cream to a boiling sauce (causing curdling), and overcrowding the pot when browning the chicken, which prevents proper caramelization.

technical
Q

Why does this Hungarian Chicken Paprikash recipe temper the sour cream instead of adding it directly to the hot sauce?

A

Tempering gently raises the temperature of the sour cream, preventing the proteins from coagulating and curdling. Adding it directly to boiling liquid would cause the sauce to separate and become grainy.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel No Recipes specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel No Recipes focuses on elevating everyday meals with clear, technique‑driven tutorials, often highlighting classic comfort dishes from various world cuisines while keeping the recipes approachable for home cooks.

channel

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