Chicken Paprikash

Ahh, Chicken Paprikash 😌—pure comfort food.

Here’s a classic, authentic-style Hungarian Chicken Paprikash overview, plus an easy home recipe.

🍗 What it is

Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke) is a traditional Hungarian stew known for its deep paprika flavor and creamy sauce, usually served over egg noodles (nokedli) or dumplings.

The star isn’t spice heat — it’s sweet Hungarian paprika.

🧄 Key ingredients

• Bone-in chicken (thighs + drumsticks are best)

• Yellow onions (lots of them)

• Hungarian sweet paprika (this matters!)

• Garlic

• Chicken broth

• Sour cream

• Salt & black pepper

• Neutral oil or lard

🍲 How it’s traditionally made

1. Sauté onions slowly in oil or lard until soft and golden

2. Remove from heat, stir in paprika (important so it doesn’t burn)

3. Add chicken, garlic, salt & pepper

4. Add a little broth, cover, and simmer until tender

5. Finish with sour cream (often tempered with a little sauce first)

6. Serve over noodles or dumplings

🥄 Simple home recipe (serves 4)

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken thighs/drumsticks

• 2 tbsp oil or butter

• 2 large onions, finely chopped

• 2–3 tbsp Hungarian sweet paprika

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 cup chicken broth

• Salt & pepper

• ¾ cup sour cream

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pot; cook onions on medium until soft and lightly golden.

2. Remove from heat; stir in paprika and garlic.

3. Add chicken, season with salt & pepper.

4. Add broth, cover, and simmer 35–45 minutes until chicken is tender.

5. Stir a little hot sauce into sour cream, then mix back into the pot.

6. Warm gently — don’t boil — and serve.

🍜 Best served with

• Nokedli (Hungarian dumplings)

• Egg noodles

• Spaetzle

• Rice or mashed potatoes (less traditional but still great)

🔥 Pro tips

• Use real Hungarian paprika if you can — it makes a huge difference

• Never fry paprika on high heat (it turns bitter fast)

• Thighs > breasts for flavor and tenderness

• Want thicker sauce? Add a spoonful of flour to the sour cream before mixing in

If you want, I can:

• Make it slow-cooker or Instant Pot

• Adapt it gluten-free

• Share a weeknight shortcut

• Or help you find the best paprika to buy