Few dishes capture the soul of Hungarian cuisine like Chicken Paprikash (Csirkepaprikás). This beloved comfort food features tender chicken simmered in a velvety paprika-infused sauce, finished with a swirl of cool sour cream for the perfect balance of richness and tang. Traditionally served with nokedli (Hungarian dumplings), this dish is hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to make at home.
Why This Dish Will Become Your New Favorite
❤️ Warms you from the inside out – the ultimate comfort food
🍗 Fall-off-the-bone tender chicken braised to perfection
🌶️ Vibrant paprika flavor – sweet, smoky, and aromatic
🥄 Creamy, luxurious sauce that begs to be sopped up with bread
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⏱️ One-pot wonder ready in about an hour
Authentic Ingredients Matter
The Essentials:
- 3-4 lbs chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on thighs/legs for best flavor)
- 2-3 tbsp sweet Hungarian paprika (the star ingredient – must be Hungarian!)
- 2 large yellow onions, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (for depth, not acidity)
- 1½ cups chicken stock
- ¾ cup sour cream (full-fat for authentic richness)
- 2 tbsp lard or butter (traditional recipes use lard)
The Flavor Builders:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional but traditional)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt & pepper to taste