Description
This Chicken Paprikash is a rich, flavorful Hungarian classic made with juicy chicken thighs simmered in a paprika-infused tomato sauce. Served over egg noodles or spaetzle, it’s a hearty and comforting dinner perfect for cozy weeknights
Ingredients
1½ tablespoons olive oil
1½ tablespoons butter
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 lbs)
Coarse salt and ground pepper, to taste
2 medium yellow onions, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup tomato sauce
4 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
1½ teaspoons coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Cooked egg noodles or spaetzle, for serving
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and swirl to coat.
Season chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Place them skin-side down into the hot skillet and sear until golden and crispy, about 4–5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Add onions to the skillet and sauté until softened and browned.
Stir in garlic and cook for about 20 seconds until fragrant. Add tomato sauce, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir well, then pour in chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
Return chicken to the skillet, cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 45 minutes, basting occasionally, or until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Remove chicken and set aside. In a small bowl, mix together flour, sour cream, and heavy cream until smooth. Slowly whisk the mixture into the sauce, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
Bring sauce back to a simmer and cook until thickened. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Return chicken to skillet and heat through in the sauce.
Serve warm over cooked egg noodles or spaetzle, garnished with chopped parsley.
Notes
Use authentic Hungarian sweet paprika for the best flavor—don’t substitute with smoked or hot unless preferred.
This dish pairs beautifully with cucumber salad or buttered green beans.
You can use boneless thighs but reduce simmer time by 10 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 160mg