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Chicken Paprikash Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 102 reviews

Chicken Paprikash is a classic Hungarian dish featuring tender chicken drumsticks and thighs simmered in a rich, paprika-spiced tomato sauce. This comforting meal is served with a refreshing shredded green cabbage salad and your choice of pasta, balancing hearty flavors with fresh, tangy sides.

Ingredients

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Cabbage Salad

  • 300 g shredded green cabbage
  • 80 ml extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes
  • ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Chicken Paprikash

  • 1.2 kg chicken drumsticks and bone-in chicken thigh cutlets
  • 2 tsp sea salt flakes
  • 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 40 g unsalted butter
  • 2 large onions, finely diced
  • 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), finely sliced
  • 1 tsp freshly grated garlic
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp sweet paprika (or hot paprika if preferred)
  • 500 ml chicken stock
  • 200 g canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional)

To Serve

  • Pasta of choice

Instructions

  1. Make the cabbage salad: In a large bowl, combine shredded green cabbage, extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sea salt flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss all ingredients well to ensure the cabbage is evenly coated. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
  2. Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken drumsticks and thigh cutlets with half of the salt and pepper. Lightly dust all sides with the plain flour, shaking off any excess.
  3. Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches so as not to overcrowd, cook the chicken pieces for 2–3 minutes each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Remove and set aside on a plate.
  4. Sauté the aromatics: In the same pan, add unsalted butter and let melt. Add finely diced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 2–3 minutes until softened and translucent.
  5. Add capsicum and garlic: Stir in the sliced red capsicum and freshly grated garlic, cooking together for an additional 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  6. Incorporate tomato paste and paprika: Add tomato paste and sweet paprika to the pan, stirring thoroughly to blend with the vegetables and to release the paprika’s rich flavor.
  7. Add liquids and seasonings: Immediately pour in chicken stock and canned crushed tomatoes. Season with the remaining salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
  8. Simmer the chicken: Return the browned chicken to the pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 40 minutes. Stir once halfway through cooking. The chicken should become tender enough to pull apart with two forks. If not tender after 40 minutes, continue cooking in 15-minute intervals as needed. Add 125 ml (½ cup) of water during simmering if the sauce begins to stick to the pan bottom.
  9. Remove chicken: Carefully take the cooked chicken out of the sauce and place it in a shallow serving dish.
  10. Finish the sauce: Stir sour cream into the simmered sauce until fully incorporated, creating a creamy, tangy finish. Pour the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle with finely chopped flat-leaf parsley if using.
  11. Serve: Plate the chicken paprikash with your choice of cooked pasta and a side of the tangy cabbage salad for a balanced, hearty meal.

Notes

  • Using hot paprika instead of sweet paprika can add a spicy kick to the dish if desired.
  • The cabbage salad provides a fresh, acidic contrast that balances the richness of the chicken paprikash sauce.
  • You can substitute plain flour with gluten-free flour if needed, but it may slightly change the sauce texture.
  • For a thicker sauce, allow simmering time to reduce the liquid to your preference before adding sour cream.
  • If sour cream is unavailable, Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute to maintain creaminess.

Keywords: Chicken Paprikash, Hungarian chicken recipe, paprika chicken, traditional Central European dish, chicken with cabbage salad, comfort food chicken, chicken stew

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/chicken-paprikash-recipe/