Traditional Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
This Traditional Hungarian Chicken Paprikash recipe is a cherished family dish, passed down through generations. The blend of tender chicken and rich paprika sauce creates a comforting and hearty meal that is ideal for gatherings. The secret lies in the careful preparation that extracts maximum flavor from the chicken's marrow, resulting in a sauce that is creamy and beautifully spiced. Serve it over homemade noodles for an authentic experience that your loved ones will crave.
6
Servings
583
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole chicken
1 (cut into parts, skin removed)
sour cream
1 to 1.5 pints (none)
chicken thighs
6 (skin removed)
whole milk
1 pint (none)
paprika
2 tablespoons (none)
salt
2 teaspoons (divided (1 tsp for chicken, 1 tsp for noodles))
water
enough to cover chicken (none)
chicken base
1 tablespoon (none)
unbleached white flour
1 cup (unsifted)
eggs
2 (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the whole chicken into its constituent parts (breasts, thighs, wings, etc.) and remove the skin. Trim away any fat deposits and rinse the chicken pieces thoroughly under cold water to ensure cleanliness.
2
Cut the chicken pieces in half to expose the bone marrow, which will enhance the sauce's flavor. Chop the wings into 4 to 5 pieces. Discard giblets and neck.
3
In a large pot, combine the chicken pieces, 1 teaspoon of salt, paprika, chicken base, and enough water to just cover the chicken. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4
Cook the chicken, partially covered, for about 1.5 hours or until it is fully cooked and falls off the bone easily. Once done, strain the mixture to separate the chicken from the broth, and place the chicken into a warm serving dish.
5
Return the chicken broth to the pot. Use a whisk to vigorously mix in the sour cream and whole milk. Slowly bring the sauce to a boil, then remove from heat immediately to prevent boiling over. Adjust the sauce with additional salt, sour cream, paprika, or chicken base to taste. If desired, add heavy cream for added richness and skim off excess fat if necessary.
6
For the homemade noodles, combine flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 2 eggs in a large bowl. Add approximately 1/2 cup of water and mix with a fork until you achieve a wet dough that adheres to the bowl.
7
Bring a Dutch oven or large pot of water to a rolling boil. Using a small cutting board, cut small dollops (about 1/2 inch) of the noodle dough with a knife and drop them into the boiling water.
8
The noodles are cooked when they float to the surface. Use a slotted spoon to remove them to a warm serving bowl. Repeat the process until all the dough is cooked.
9
To serve, place a generous portion of noodles in a flat bowl, add the cooked chicken pieces, and ladle enough of the creamy sauce to cover them. Season with additional salt or pepper to taste, if desired. Enjoy this delicious, family-loved dish!
Nutrition Information
33
Fat
42
Carbs
50
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Traditional Hungarian Chicken Paprikash?
It is a cherished family dish made of tender chicken in a rich paprika sauce, typically served with homemade noodles.
What chicken parts are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one whole chicken cut into parts and six additional chicken thighs, all with the skin removed.
Why must the chicken skin be removed?
Removing the skin helps manage fat levels and ensures the sauce remains smooth and focused on the chicken marrow flavor.
How can I maximize the flavor of the sauce?
Cut the chicken pieces in half to expose the bone marrow, which extracts maximum flavor during the simmering process.
How long should the chicken simmer?
The chicken should be cooked for approximately 1.5 hours until it is fully cooked and falls off the bone easily.
What spices are used for the initial chicken simmer?
The chicken is simmered with one teaspoon of salt, two tablespoons of paprika, and one tablespoon of chicken base.
How do you make the creamy Paprikash sauce?
Whisk sour cream and whole milk into the strained chicken broth, bring to a quick boil, and then remove from heat.
How much sour cream is used?
The recipe uses between 1 to 1.5 pints of sour cream.
Can I make the sauce richer?
Yes, you can add heavy cream for extra richness and adjust with more sour cream or chicken base to taste.
What ingredients are needed for the homemade noodles?
You will need one cup of unbleached white flour, one teaspoon of salt, two eggs, and approximately 1/2 cup of water.
What is the consistency of the noodle dough?
The dough should be mixed with a fork until it is a wet dough that adheres to the bowl.
How are the noodles cooked?
Cut small 1/2-inch dollops of dough with a knife into boiling water; they are done when they float to the surface.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This Traditional Hungarian Chicken Paprikash recipe yields 6 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 583 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving provides 50 grams of protein.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 33 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 42 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Should I use the chicken neck and giblets?
No, the recipe instructions specify to discard the giblets and neck.
How small should the chicken wings be chopped?
The chicken wings should be chopped into 4 to 5 small pieces.
How much water should I add to the pot?
Add enough water to just cover the chicken pieces.
Should the pot be covered while the chicken cooks?
The chicken should be cooked partially covered.
What is the first step after the chicken is finished cooking?
Strain the mixture to separate the chicken from the broth and place the chicken into a warm serving dish.
How do I prevent the sauce from boiling over?
Bring the sauce to a boil slowly and remove it from the heat immediately once it reaches a boil.
What type of flour is recommended for the noodles?
The recipe specifies using one cup of unsifted, unbleached white flour.
How much whole milk is used in the sauce?
One pint of whole milk is used to create the sauce.
Is it necessary to skim fat off the sauce?
Yes, you should skim off any excess fat if necessary before serving.
What tools are needed to make the noodles?
You will need a large bowl, a fork for mixing, a small cutting board, and a knife to drop dollops into boiling water.
How do I assemble the final dish?
Place noodles in a flat bowl, add chicken pieces, and ladle enough creamy sauce to cover them.
Can I add extra seasoning at the end?
Yes, you can season with additional salt or pepper to taste before enjoying.
What makes this an authentic experience?
Serving the rich, spiced chicken and sauce over fresh homemade noodles creates an authentic Hungarian experience.