Hungarian Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke)

Authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Creamy Paprika Sauce

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash, known as Paprikás Csirke, is one of Hungary’s most beloved comfort foods. Tender chicken is gently simmered in a rich sauce made with sweet Hungarian paprika, onions, tomatoes, and sour cream. The result is a beautifully creamy, savory dish with a distinctive paprika flavor.

This traditional Hungarian recipe is simple enough for a weeknight dinner but delicious enough to serve for a special family meal.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1.2 kg chicken thighs or mixed chicken pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 250 ml chicken stock or water
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the Creamy Sauce

• 200 g sour cream
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2–3 tablespoons of the hot paprika sauce
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and black pepper.

2. Cook the Onions

Heat the oil or lard in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly golden.

Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

3. Add the Hungarian Paprika

Remove the pot from the heat for a moment and stir in the sweet paprika. This is important because paprika can become bitter if it is burned.

Add the diced tomato and bell pepper, then return the pot to low-medium heat.

4. Add the Chicken

Place the chicken pieces into the pot and turn them several times so they become coated in the paprika and onion mixture.

Pour in the chicken stock. The liquid should come about halfway up the chicken rather than completely covering it.

5. Simmer Until Tender

Cover the pot and simmer gently for approximately 40–50 minutes, or until the chicken is completely tender and cooked through.

Stir occasionally and add a little more stock or water if necessary.

6. Make It Creamy

In a small bowl, combine the sour cream with the flour. Add a few spoonfuls of the hot sauce from the pot and mix well to temper the sour cream.

Slowly stir the sour cream mixture into the chicken sauce.

Simmer gently for another 5 minutes, but avoid boiling vigorously.

7. Garnish and Serve

Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately.

🍽️ What to Serve with Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

Traditionally, Paprikás Csirke is served with Hungarian dumplings called nokedli (similar to spaetzle). It also pairs wonderfully with:

• Homemade egg noodles
• Buttered noodles
• Steamed potatoes
• Rice
• Fresh crusty bread
• Cucumber salad with sour cream

The noodles are especially good because they soak up the creamy paprika sauce.

⭐ Tips for the Best Chicken Paprikash

Use good-quality Hungarian paprika: Sweet Hungarian paprika is the key ingredient and gives the dish its characteristic color and flavor.

Do not burn the paprika: Add it after briefly removing the pot from the heat. Burnt paprika can taste bitter.

Use bone-in chicken for extra flavor: Chicken thighs and drumsticks tend to remain juicy during the long, gentle simmer.

Temper the sour cream: Mixing it with some hot sauce before adding it to the pot helps prevent curdling.

Keep the heat gentle: The sauce should simmer rather than boil aggressively, especially after adding the sour cream.

🇭🇺 A Taste of Traditional Hungary

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash is more than just a chicken dinner—it is a classic example of Hungarian home cooking. The combination of sweet paprika, onions, tender chicken, and silky sour cream creates a deeply comforting sauce that is perfect with homemade dumplings.

If you're looking for a hearty Hungarian meal that is flavorful, comforting, and easy to prepare, this traditional Paprikás Csirke deserves a place on your dinner table.

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📌 Recipe Card

Recipe: Hungarian Chicken Paprikash (Paprikás Csirke)
Cuisine: Hungarian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Difficulty: Easy

Keyword: Hungarian Chicken Paprikash, Paprikás Csirke, Hungarian Chicken Recipe, Chicken with Paprika Sauce, Traditional Hungarian Food