Description
This classic Chicken Paprikash recipe features tender boneless chicken in a rich, savory sour cream sauce, seasoned with Hungarian sweet paprika and aromatics. It’s a comforting and easy-to-make weeknight dinner that brings traditional flavors to the family table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces (approx. 900g)
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons good quality Hungarian sweet paprika
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (approx. 470ml)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained (optional) (approx. 410g)
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream (approx. 240g)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep And Sear Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large 10-inch skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear chicken until lightly browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side; remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add chopped onion to the same pot; cook until softened and translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Build The Sauce: Remove pot from heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons paprika (to prevent bitterness). Immediately add 2 cups chicken broth and diced tomatoes (if using), scraping up browned bits. Return chicken to pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is fork-tender. (If the sauce looks dry, splash in 1-2 tablespoons broth.)
- Finish With Sour Cream: Remove pot from heat. Whisk a ladleful of hot sauce into 1 cup sour cream in a small bowl to temper it. Slowly stir tempered sour cream back into the pot until fully combined and creamy. Do not boil after adding sour cream to prevent curdling. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
For best results, use organic chicken and authentic Hungarian paprika. To prevent sour cream from curdling, temper it first and do not boil the sauce after adding it. If the sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered or add a cornstarch slurry.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 250 g)
- Calories: 370 calories
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Keywords: chicken paprikash, weeknight dinner, comfort food, Hungarian, easy recipe, chicken thighs, sour cream, paprika, one-pot, family favorite