What is paprikash sauce made of?

Paprikas csirke is made with pan seared bone-in chicken pieces tat are then braised in a simple sauce made with chicken stock, onions, garlic, tomato paste or tomatoes, and lots of good quality sweet Hungarian paprika . The one thing you mustn't skimp on is using good Hungarian paprika.

What does paprikash mean in Hungarian?

Paprikash, or paprikas in Hungarian, is a traditional paprika-based stew . The most famous preparation is chicken paprikash (paprikas csirke), although veal is sometimes used. Bone-in chicken pieces are browned in butter or lard, then braised until tender in a sauce of onions, garlic, water and paprika.

What's the difference between goulash and paprikash?

Goulash terminologies can be confusing. Abroad, goulash has retained its original meaning — a paprika-strewn beef stew usually served with egg dumplings (galuska or nokedli) on the side. A paprikash is essentially the same thing except it's made with chicken or veal and finished with sour cream.

What's the difference between paprika and Hungarian paprika?

Spanish paprika is typically of the sweet variety and is made from Spanish chiles. Hungarian paprika is often lauded as the most desirable and most flavorful iteration of the spice . It can be either hot or sweet and is made using ground Hungarian paprika chile peppers.

What's the difference between Hungarian and American paprika?

In Hungary there are many kinds of paprika, but in U.S. grocery stores you will likely just find one version that either comes from Hungary or from California. Paprika is the Hungarian word for pepper, and Hungarian-style paprika is not smoked, but rather fairly sweet .

Paprikas Csirke Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe (2024)

Posted December 29, 2021| Updated September 6, 2022 Recipes

Paprikas Csirke is our favourite Eastern European comfort food and the national dish of Hungary.

The decadent creamy chicken entree is beloved by locals, from bustling Budapest to rural Hungarian villages.

Traditional Paprikas Csirke typically served with noodle dumplings, also known as spaetzle, with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle of chopped chives.

Our easy Paprikas Csirke recipe is the perfect entree to serve at a Hungarian-themed dinner party. The main dish is beautifully presented, sure to wow your guests. It helps that kids love it too!

Our authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash recipe features flavourful butter, chicken thighs, onions, garlic, tomatoes, red bell pepper, sweet paprika, chicken stock, sour cream, whipping cream and chives.

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Paprikas Csirke Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe (1)

What Is Paprikas Csirke?

Paprikás Csirke(pronounced paprikash cheerke) is a classic Hungarian dish also known as Chicken Paprikash.

Paprikash is one of the few dishes in the world that takes its name from a spice – in this case, the spice that became the backbone of Hungarian cuisine. Originally imported from Turkey, the red peppers that are dried and ground into paprika have been grown insouthern Hungaryfor nearly 500 years.

According to George Lang’s book The Cuisine of Hungary, it is one of the four pillars of Hungarian cooking (the others are gulyás, pörkölt, and tokány).

“The main difference between pörkölt and paprikás is that paprikás is usually finished with sweet or sour cream, sometimes mixed with a little flour, but always stirred in just before serving,” says Lang. “You never use cream of any kind in recipes for gulyás orpörkölt. Also, beef, mutton, game, goose, duck, and pork are most popular forpörkölt; veal and chicken for paprikás.”

Paprikas Csirke is a rustic staple for Hungarian home cooks and at étkezdes (Hungarian lunch-rooms). In Hungary, this dish is usually eaten withgaluska(spaetzle noodle dumplings) and a cucumber salad.

Paprikas Csirke Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe (2)

Travel to Hungary by CookingPaprikas Csirke at Home

I love traveling toEurope!

During my first visit to the continent I traveled for 5 months by train and plane. I had the opportunity to eat my way throughIreland,Scotland,England,Wales,Portugal,Spain,France,Belgium,Holland,Denmark,Norway,Sweden,Finland,Russia,Estonia,Latvia,Poland,Czech,Germany,Austria,Croatia,Bosnia,Hungary,Slovakia,Greece,TurkeyandItaly.

I visited Hungary on my first trip to Europe. I backpacked to 18 European countries in the summer of my third year of university. I was living on a shoestring, sleeping in friendly hostels and eating my way from the stunning sunsets of the Portuguese Algarve to scenic fjords on the west coast of Norway.

I spent 4 days exploring Budapest, the Hungarian capital. The two scenic cities (Buda and Pest) straddle the Danube River and offer visiting foodies gorgeous architecture, scenic views, bustling markets and friendly and affordable restaurants.

No trip to the capital is complete without a visit to the Budapest Central Market.Paprikas Csirke lovers will find endless market stalls selling strings of dried red peppers that dangle over your head like Christmas garlands. You can also purchase sweet Hungarian paprika to take home and use to cook our authentic Chicken Paprikash recipe!

Where To EatPaprikas Csirke

If you live in a large city inCanadaorAmericayou’ll likely have access to a local Eastern European restaurant that serves traditionalPaprikas Csirke.

Haven’t traveled to Europe before? It may be helpful to first sample Chicken Paprikash at a localHungarian restaurant to better understand how the dish is served. You can determine the ideal portion size, types of chicken cuts to use and delicious side dishes to serve it at the table.

InToronto, popular Eastern European restaurants inYorkville,King WestandOssingtonthat may serve authenticPaprikas Csirke includeCafe Polonez,Wvrst,Country Style Hungarian,Tennessee Tavern,Amber EuropeanandChopin.

Paprikas Csirke Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe (4)

My Family LovesPaprikas Csirke

I love cooking creamy Chicken Paprikash for my family and friends.

There truly is nothing more satisfying than forking through a steaming plate of tender chicken smothered in paprika sour cream sauce and buttery noodle dumplings.

While you can cook Paprikas Csirke year round, we like to enjoy the hearty Hungarian comfort food dish during the colder months of the year, between Thanksgiving and Easter.

I first made Hungarian Chicken Paprikash for my family during a cold snowy day in February. After marching through a blizzard, a bowl ofPaprikas Csirke really does warm you up!

I knew my family would love the popular Hungarian entree as they enjoy recipes featuring chicken, creamy sauces and pasta.

You can make homemadenoodle dumplings called spaetzle or simply boil a bag of German-style egg noodles.

Paprikas Csirke Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe (5)

Health Benefits

Our Chicken Paprikash recipe is packed full of wholesome ingredients!

Onions are a humble vegetable packed with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Regular consumption of onions can help boost digestive health and reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

It is only recently that scientists have begun to identify the components responsible for garlic’s myriad health benefits. Rich in phytochemicals and potassium, garlic helps boost your immune system, fight cancer and protect your heart.

Rich in a group of phytochemicals called carotenoids,tomatoesmay help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and provide protection against cancer. Tomatoes are also a good source of immune-boosting vitamin C.

Bell Peppers are an incredible source of vitamins C and A, which support your skin and immune system. They also provide beneficial carotenoid compounds such as beta-carotene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Chicken is high in protein and provides B vitamins such as niacin, which helps your body access the energy in foods.

Paprika is rich in vitamin A, capsaicin, and carotenoid antioxidants. These substances may help prevent inflammation and improve your cholesterol, eyehealth and blood sugar levels.

Packed with calcium and friendly probiotic bacteria, sour cream and yogurt help keep your bones strong and your gut healthy. Yogurt may also help reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and some types of cancer.

Paprikas Csirke Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe (6)

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Cooking Tips

This authentic Hungarian Chicken recipe is quick and easy to make at home.

We suggest using a large nonstick skillet to reduce splatter when cooking.
We’ve used bone-in skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe as they impart the most flavour to the dish. You can use other cuts of dark chicken meat like wings, drumsticks or legs. We do not suggest using chicken breasts for this recipe as the meat is drier and less flavourful.
We’ve used Spanish cooking onions in this recipe but you could substitue for sweet Vidalia onions, white onions or shallots.
We’ve used sweet Roma tomatoes in this recipe but you could substitute for beefsteak tomatoes or cherry tomatoes.
Use high quality Hungarian Sweet Paprika in this recipe, not smoked paprika!
Serve the dish with homemade spaetzle or store bought German Egg Noodles.

Paprikas Csirke Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Recipe (7)

What To Serve with Chicken Paprikash

There’s nothing more comforting than cozying up to a steaming plate ofPaprikas Csirke.

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash is typically served with German noodles, sour cream and chives. You can also serve it with cheesy polenta and a fresh salad.

If you’re hosting an Eastern European-themed dinner party feel free to serve Chicken Paprikash in a buffet alongside Polish Dill Pickle Soup, Polish Sour Rye Zurek Soup, Mizeria Creamy Polish Cucumber Salad, Homemade Pierogies, Speckknödel German Bread Bacon Dumplings, Romanian Soup Ciorba de Perisoare, Kartoffelknödel German Potato Dumplings, Pork Rouladen, and Flädlesuppe German Pancake Soup.

Paprikas Csirke Hungarian Chicken Paprikash Video

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Paprikas Csirke Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

How to make traditional Paprikas Csirke. Traditional Hungarian Chicken Paprikash recipe with creamy paprika sauce, sour cream and noodles.

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time50 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Hungarian

Keyword: Paprikas Csirke

Servings: 8

Calories: 505kcal

Equipment

French knife
measuring cups
measuring spoons
Nonstick Skillet
Large pot or Dutch Oven

Ingredients

2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
3 lb Bone-in Skin-on Chicken Thighs
2 Spanish Onions finely chopped
4 Garlic Cloves minced
2 Roma Tomatoes seeds removed, finely diced
1 Small Red Bell Pepper diced
4 tbsp Sweet Paprika
2 cups Chicken Stock
1.5 tsp Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
3 tbsp All Purpose Flour
1 cup Sour Cream 1
1/4 cup Whipping Cream
2 tbsp Chives chopped

Instructions

Melt the butter in a large pot or Dutch Oven and brown the chicken on both sides, 6-7 minutes. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
In the same pot, add the onions and fry until golden brown, 5-6 minutes.Add the garlic, bell pepper and tomatoes then sautee another 2-3 minutes.Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the paprika, salt and pepper.
Return the chicken to the pot and place it back over medium heat.Pour in the chicken broth until the meat is mostly covered. Bring to a slow boil. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove the chicken and transfer to a plate.
In a small bowl, stir the flour into the sour cream and whipping cream to form a smooth paste. Stir the cream mixture into the sauce, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Bring the sauce to a simmer for a couple of minutes until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. Return the chicken to the sauce and simmer to heat through.
Serve chicken paprikash sprinkled with chopped chives alongside German Spaetzle noodles.

Nutrition

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