Heat the lard or oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook for 7–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly golden.
Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
2. Add the Paprika
Remove the pot from the heat for a moment and stir in the Hungarian paprika.
Adding paprika away from direct high heat helps prevent it from burning and becoming bitter.
Add the chopped tomato and bell pepper, then return the pot to low-medium heat.
3. Add the Chicken
Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and place them into the pot.
Pour in the chicken broth. The liquid should come partway up the chicken rather than completely covering it.
Cover and simmer gently for approximately 40–50 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally, until it is tender and cooked through.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce
In a bowl, whisk the sour cream with the flour until smooth.
Slowly whisk in a few tablespoons of the hot cooking liquid to temper the sour cream.
Pour the mixture back into the pot and gently stir.
Cook for another 5–10 minutes over low heat until the sauce becomes creamy and slightly thickened. Avoid vigorous boiling after adding the sour cream.
5. Taste and Serve
Taste the sauce and adjust the salt and pepper if necessary.
Serve the chicken generously coated with its paprika sauce.
For a traditional Hungarian meal, serve it with nokedli, rice, or another simple side that can absorb the creamy sauce.
Tips for Authentic Flavor
Use good-quality Hungarian sweet paprika—it is one of the defining flavors of this dish.
Bone-in chicken gives the sauce a deeper flavor.
Onions should be cooked slowly until soft rather than heavily browned.
Never let the paprika scorch.
Temper the sour cream before adding it to the hot sauce to help keep it smooth.
Serve with freshly made nokedli for a classic combination.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 55 minutes Total Time: About 1 hour 10 minutes Servings: 4–6 Cuisine: Hungarian Category: Main Course
Tender chicken, sweet Hungarian paprika, silky sour cream, and homemade dumplings make Chicken Paprikash one of the most comforting dishes in Hungarian cuisine.
