Brown the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden.
Transfer to a plate.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the onions and cook for 8–10 minutes until soft and golden.
Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Remove the pot from the heat.
Mix in the Hungarian sweet paprika and hot paprika.
Immediately stir to prevent the paprika from burning.
Step 3: Simmer the Chicken
Return the pot to the heat.
Add:
Tomato
Green pepper
Chicken broth
Return the browned chicken to the pot.
Cover and simmer over low heat for 40–45 minutes, or until the chicken is fork-tender.
Step 4: Finish the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together:
Sour cream
Flour
Gradually whisk in a few spoonfuls of the hot cooking liquid.
Slowly stir the mixture back into the pot.
Cook gently for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Do not allow the sauce to boil after adding the sour cream.
Step 5: Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and an extra pinch of Hungarian paprika.
Serve immediately over homemade Nokedli or buttered egg noodles.
Traditional Variations
Boneless Chicken Paprikash
Use boneless chicken thighs for quicker preparation.
Mushroom Chicken Paprikash
Add sliced mushrooms during the simmering stage for extra richness.
Rustic Country Style
Prepare with a whole cut-up chicken for a traditional farmhouse version.
Spicy Paprikash
Increase the hot Hungarian paprika or add sliced hot peppers.
Traditional Serving Suggestions
Chicken Paprikash is traditionally served with:
Homemade Nokedli (Hungarian Dumplings)
Buttered egg noodles
Mashed potatoes
Steamed rice
Fresh crusty bread
Serve alongside:
Hungarian Cucumber Salad (Uborkasaláta)
Pickled vegetables
Green salad
Finish with:
Hungarian Dobos Torte
Hungarian Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács)
Hungarian Beigli
Hungarian Krémes
Expert Tips
Always use authentic Hungarian sweet paprika for the best flavor.
Remove the pan from the heat before adding paprika to prevent bitterness.
Bone-in chicken produces a richer, more flavorful sauce.
Temper the sour cream carefully to avoid curdling.
Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze before adding the sour cream for up to 3 months.
Add fresh sour cream after reheating.
Reheating
Warm gently over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Do not boil after adding sour cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Chicken Paprikash authentic?
Authentic Hungarian paprika, bone-in chicken, slow simmering, and a sour cream finish are the defining elements of traditional Csirkepaprikás.
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but chicken thighs and drumsticks remain the traditional choice because they stay moist and flavorful during cooking.
Why shouldn’t paprika be cooked over high heat?
Paprika burns quickly, which can make the sauce bitter. Always stir it in off the heat before adding liquid.
What should I serve with Chicken Paprikash?
The classic accompaniment is Nokedli (Hungarian dumplings), though buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice also pair beautifully.
Serving Suggestions
Complete your Hungarian feast with:
Homemade Hungarian Dumplings (Nokedli)
Hungarian Cucumber Salad (Uborkasaláta)
Homemade Lángos
Hungarian Mushroom Soup (Magyaros Gombaleves)
Hungarian Chimney Cake (Kürtőskalács)
Final Thoughts
Authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash (Csirkepaprikás) is a timeless comfort food that perfectly represents the heart of Hungarian cuisine. Tender chicken, fragrant paprika, sweet onions, and creamy sour cream come together in a rich, velvety sauce that’s best enjoyed with homemade Nokedli. Whether you’re exploring Hungarian cooking for the first time or recreating a family favorite, this classic recipe delivers authentic flavor in every bite.
Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Hungarian
Difficulty: Easy
Calories: Approximately 470 kcal per serving (without Nokedli)
Authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash (Csirkepaprikás) featuring tender bone-in chicken simmered in a creamy paprika sauce, served over homemade Nokedli dumplings and garnished with fresh parsley.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
