🇭🇺 Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Homemade Nokedli
🇭🇺 Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Homemade Nokedli
Creamy Paprika Chicken with Traditional Hungarian Dumplings
If you love comforting homemade meals, this classic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash is a recipe worth adding to your collection. Tender chicken is slowly cooked with onions, sweet Hungarian paprika, peppers and tomatoes, then finished with creamy sour cream for a rich, silky sauce.
Traditionally known as Paprikás Csirke, this beloved Hungarian dish is often served with nokedli, small homemade egg dumplings that are perfect for soaking up every drop of the flavorful paprika sauce.
🍗 Recipe Details
- Cuisine: Hungarian
- Course: Main Course
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 4–6
- Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken Paprikash
- 1 kg chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard
- 2–3 tablespoons Hungarian sweet paprika
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 large tomato, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 300–400 ml chicken stock or water
- 200–250 g sour cream
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
For the Nokedli
- 300 g all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 120–150 ml water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter, optional
The traditional combination of chicken, paprika, sour cream and homemade nokedli is widely associated with Hungarian chicken paprikash.
👩🍳 How to Make Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken pieces dry and season them generously with salt and black pepper.
Heat the oil or lard in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chicken and lightly brown it on both sides.
Remove the chicken and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Onions
Using the same pot, add the chopped onions.
Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and translucent.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Step 3: Add the Hungarian Paprika
Remove the pot from the direct heat for a moment and stir in the sweet paprika.
This step is important because paprika can become bitter if it burns. Add the chopped pepper and tomato, then return the pot to the stove.
Step 4: Simmer the Chicken
Return the chicken to the pot and pour in the chicken stock.
Bring everything to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for approximately 40–50 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
The sauce should become rich, aromatic and beautifully colored.
Step 5: Make the Creamy Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the sour cream with the flour until smooth.
Add a few spoonfuls of the hot paprika sauce to the sour cream mixture and whisk well. This gently warms the sour cream before adding it to the pot.
Stir the mixture into the chicken paprikash and cook gently for another 3–5 minutes.
Do not boil vigorously after adding the sour cream, as this can cause the sauce to separate.
🥟 How to Make Homemade Nokedli
Nokedli are soft Hungarian egg dumplings and one of the classic accompaniments to chicken paprikash.
Step 1
Combine the flour and salt in a bowl.
Add the eggs and gradually mix in the water until you have a thick, sticky batter.
Step 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Using a nokedli maker, large-holed colander or similar utensil, drop small pieces of batter into the boiling water.
Step 3
Cook for approximately 2–3 minutes, until the dumplings rise to the surface.
Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain well.
For extra flavor, toss the cooked nokedli with a little butter.
Traditional recipes use this type of soft egg dumpling as a classic partner for paprikash.
🍽️ How to Serve
Spoon a generous portion of hot nokedli onto each plate and place the tender chicken on top.
Pour plenty of the creamy paprika sauce over everything and garnish with fresh parsley.
For a traditional Hungarian-style meal, you can serve it with a simple cucumber salad on the side.
⭐ Tips for Perfect Chicken Paprikash
Use good-quality Hungarian paprika
Sweet Hungarian paprika provides the characteristic color and flavor of the dish.
Choose chicken thighs
Bone-in chicken thighs remain juicy during slow cooking and add plenty of flavor to the sauce.
Never burn the paprika
Add the paprika away from very high heat. Burnt paprika can quickly become bitter.
Temper the sour cream
Mixing hot sauce into the sour cream before adding it to the pot helps create a smoother sauce.
Don't overcook the nokedli
As soon as the dumplings float and are cooked through, remove them from the water.
🧊 Storage and Reheating
Store leftover chicken paprikash in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The chicken and sauce can also be frozen, although the sour-cream sauce may change texture slightly after freezing.
Reheat gently over low to medium heat, adding a small splash of water or stock if the sauce becomes too thick.
For the best texture, prepare fresh nokedli when possible.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hungarian Chicken Paprikash?
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash, or Paprikás Csirke, is a traditional Hungarian chicken dish cooked with onions and paprika and finished with a creamy sour-cream sauce.
What is nokedli?
Nokedli are small Hungarian egg dumplings made from flour, eggs, salt and water. They are commonly served with saucy Hungarian dishes, especially chicken paprikash.
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes. Chicken breast can be used, but thighs are generally more forgiving and remain juicier during simmering.
Can I make the dish without sour cream?
You can, but the sour cream is an important part of the classic creamy character of paprikash. Without it, the dish will be closer to a paprika-based chicken stew.
🇭🇺 Final Thoughts
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Nokedli is the perfect example of how simple ingredients can create an incredibly satisfying meal. Tender chicken, fragrant Hungarian paprika, sweet onions and creamy sour cream come together in a rich sauce, while homemade nokedli provide the perfect way to enjoy every spoonful.
If you're looking for a comforting traditional Hungarian dinner, this classic Paprikás Csirke deserves a place on your table.
