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Let me share my favorite Chicken Paprikash recipe that brings back memories of my grandmother's kitchen. I learned this classic Hungarian dish from her and now my whole family begs for it. The magic happens when tender chicken meets a velvety sauce filled with sweet Hungarian paprika. Just wait till you smell this cooking in your kitchen.
Why I Love Making This
There's something so special about the way the buttery sauce hugs each piece of chicken. I love how versatile it is too. Some nights we serve it over fluffy egg noodles other times with mashed potatoes. My kids even started calling it the 'orange chicken sauce' and clean their plates every time.
Kitchen Essentials
- Chicken: 1½ pounds of bite-sized pieces I prefer thighs but breasts work great too.
- Butter: 4 tablespoons good quality butter makes all the difference.
- Flour: 2 tablespoons helps create that silky sauce.
- My Secret Weapon: 2 tablespoons Hungarian sweet paprika trust me on this one.
- Onion: 1 large diced you'll love how it melts into the sauce.
- Garlic: 2 fresh cloves minced.
- Broth: 1½ cups of chicken broth for richness.
- Sour Cream: 1 cup full fat makes it extra creamy.
- Seasonings: Salt and pepper to your taste.
- Fresh Touch: Handful of parsley for garnish.
Let's Get Cooking
- Prep Your Chicken
- Toss those chicken pieces with flour and paprika. Then watch them turn golden in melted butter. Set them aside they'll be back for the finale.
- Starting Our Sauce
- In goes more butter then those diced onions until they're soft and sweet. Add garlic let it work its magic. Sprinkle in flour and paprika keep stirring we're building flavor here.
- Making It Saucy
- Pour in your broth slowly whisking until it's smooth. Let it bubble and thicken up just right.
- Time for Creaminess
- Turn down the heat fold in that sour cream until it's silky smooth. Welcome back chicken get cozy in there.
- The Grand Finale
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley serve it hot over your favorite side. Watch everyone's eyes light up.
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My Kitchen Secrets
Always hunt down real Hungarian paprika it's worth the effort. Keep that heat super low when adding sour cream my grandmother taught me that. Need more sauce? Just splash in extra broth until it's perfect. Fresh parsley isn't just pretty it brightens everything up.
Picking Your Paprika
I keep three kinds in my spice drawer: sweet mild and smoky. The sweet Hungarian one is essential for this dish. Sometimes I sneak in a tiny bit of hot paprika when cooking for grownups but the traditional recipe keeps things mild and rich.
Saving Some For Later
This tastes amazing the next day after those flavors get cozy together. Pop leftovers in the fridge they'll keep for three days. Just warm it up slowly on the stove. I don't freeze this one the sour cream gets funny when thawed.
Making It Your Own
Sometimes I toss in mushrooms or bell peppers when I want extra veggies. My husband loves it over buttery mashed potatoes while the kids prefer egg noodles. That's what's great about this recipe it works with whatever you love.
Perfect Partners
In our house this always comes with either those little Hungarian dumplings or a mountain of egg noodles. A fresh green salad on the side cuts through the richness perfectly. Sometimes we toast up crusty bread to catch every drop of sauce.
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Pure Comfort in a Pan
This dish never fails to bring everyone to the table. It's like a warm hug from my Hungarian ancestors right in my own kitchen. Simple ingredients transformed into something truly special.
All About That Paprika
Paprika isn't just for color it's the heart of this dish. That's why using the real Hungarian stuff matters so much. It brings a sweetness and depth you just can't get from the basic supermarket kind.
The Sour Cream Secret
Don't even think about using light sour cream here. Full fat gives you that silky richness we're after. It's what makes the sauce so luxurious and keeps everyone asking for seconds.
Fresh Takes
Sometimes I add a splash of white wine to the sauce or throw in some extra garlic. My sister swears by using all chicken thighs for extra richness. Make it your own that's what cooking is all about.
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Going Gluten Free
When my gluten free friends visit I just swap in their favorite flour blend. Serve it over rice or gluten free noodles and nobody misses a thing. The flavor is still amazing.
Kid Approved
Even picky eaters love this dish. The sauce is mild and creamy perfect for little ones. My daughter helps sprinkle the paprika now she's my little sous chef in training.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What type of chicken can I use?
- Works with bone-in or boneless chicken, breasts or thighs. Traditional recipe uses bone-in pieces.
- → Can I freeze this dish?
- Not recommended due to sour cream sauce which can separate when thawed.
- → What should I serve it with?
- Traditionally served over dumplings, but also great with egg noodles, mashed potatoes or rice.
- → Why use full-fat sour cream?
- Full-fat sour cream provides better texture and is less likely to curdle when heated.
- → What type of paprika works best?
- Hungarian sweet paprika gives the most authentic flavor but regular paprika can work.