Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Dumplings 🇭🇺 — A Classic Comfort Food
How to Make Chicken Paprikash
1. Brown the Chicken
Pat the chicken pieces dry and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Heat the oil or lard in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and brown it lightly on both sides.
Remove the chicken and set it aside.
2. Cook the Onion
Reduce the heat to medium and add the chopped onion to the same pot.
Cook for several minutes until soft and translucent.
Add the garlic and cook briefly.
3. Add the Paprika
Remove the pot from the heat for a moment before adding the paprika.
This is an important step because paprika can become bitter if it burns.
Stir the paprika into the onions, then quickly add the tomato, bell pepper, and a splash of broth or water.
4. Simmer the Chicken
Return the chicken to the pot.
Add enough broth to create a flavorful sauce, then cover and simmer gently for approximately 35–45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Avoid boiling aggressively. A gentle simmer helps the chicken remain tender while the sauce develops flavor.
5. Make the Sour Cream Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the sour cream with the flour.
To prevent the sour cream from curdling, gradually whisk some of the hot sauce from the pot into the sour cream mixture.
Then slowly stir the mixture back into the pot.
Simmer gently for a few more minutes until the sauce becomes creamy and slightly thickened.
Making the Nokedli
While the chicken cooks, prepare the dumplings.
1. Make the Dough
Whisk together the flour and salt.
Add the eggs and gradually add water, mixing until you have a soft, sticky dough.
It should be thicker than pancake batter but soft enough to push through a spaetzle or nokedli maker.
2. Cook the Dumplings
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Drop small portions of dough into the boiling water using a nokedli maker, spaetzle maker, or small spoon.
Cook until the dumplings rise to the surface, then allow them to cook for another minute or two.
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain.
Toss with a little butter if desired.
How to Serve It
Spoon a generous portion of nokedli onto each plate and top with tender chicken and plenty of creamy paprika sauce.
A small spoonful of sour cream on top makes an excellent finishing touch.
Traditional Hungarian-style accompaniments can include:
Pickled cucumbers
Pickled peppers
Cucumber salad
Fresh parsley
Crusty bread
The slightly tangy pickles are particularly good alongside the rich sauce.
Tips for the Best Paprikash
Use Hungarian paprika. Sweet Hungarian paprika provides the characteristic flavor and color. Avoid substituting smoked paprika if you’re aiming for a traditional flavor.
Don’t burn the paprika. Adding it directly to extremely hot fat can make it bitter. Taking the pot briefly off the heat helps.
Use chicken thighs for extra tenderness. Bone-in thighs have plenty of flavor and remain juicy during simmering.
Temper the sour cream. Mixing hot sauce gradually into the sour cream before adding it to the pot helps prevent curdling.
Keep the sauce gentle. A low simmer is preferable to vigorous boiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes. Chicken breast can be used, although it cooks more quickly and can become dry if simmered too long. Chicken thighs are generally more forgiving.
What is the difference between paprikash and goulash?
Both dishes are associated with Hungarian paprika-based cooking, but they are different preparations. Chicken paprikash traditionally centers on chicken and a creamy paprika sauce, while Hungarian goulash is generally a paprika-seasoned stew with a different style and ingredient profile.
What are Hungarian dumplings called?
The small dumplings commonly served with chicken paprikash are called nokedli or galuska.
Can I make the chicken ahead of time?
Yes. In fact, the flavors can become even more developed after resting. Store it refrigerated and reheat gently.
Final Thoughts
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Nokedli is more than just chicken and dumplings. It’s a classic combination of sweet paprika, tender chicken, onions, sour cream, and soft homemade dumplings that captures the comforting character of Hungarian home cooking.
Serve it with something bright and pickled on the side, and you have a deeply satisfying 🇭🇺 Hungarian family meal that’s perfect for sharing.
