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Paprika Chicken

17/11/2023

Paprika chicken is a dish from Central Europe typical of Hungarian cuisine, known as “paprikás csirke”. In this case, I will provide you with a recipe that reflects the traditional version and then suggest a slight Italian twist.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (as an alternative to the classic lard)
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sweet paprika (be careful not to scorch it, otherwise it becomes bitter)
  • 1 large tomato, peeled and diced (or canned tomato)
  • 1 red pepper, cut into strips
  • 240 ml chicken broth
  • 120 ml sour cream (can be substituted with Greek yogurt or another type of cream if desired)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • (Optional) A pinch of hot paprika if you want a spicy touch

Preparation

  1. Heat the oil in a large pan and brown the chicken thighs on all sides until they are golden. Remove them and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent.
  3. Add the paprika and stir for one minute. Be careful not to burn the paprika.
  4. Add the tomatoes and peppers, letting them cook for a few minutes.
  5. Put the chicken back in the pan and pour in the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the flame, cover, and let simmer for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is well cooked.
  6. Remove the chicken and keep it warm. If you want a thicker sauce, you can reduce the remaining liquid.
  7. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat. Incorporate the sour cream by mixing well.
  8. Serve the chicken draped with the sauce.

Italian variation: You can enrich the dish with a touch of aromatic herbs such as rosemary or bay leaves during the chicken’s cooking. Another variation could be using a touch of dry white wine before adding the broth, to deglaze and add an additional note of complexity to the flavor.

Paprika chicken is delicious when accompanied by potato gnocchi, white rice, or a nice plate of tagliatelle, so as to absorb the flavor of the rich sauce.

Curiosity

The secret to a good “paprikás” lies in the quality of the paprika; in Hungary, there are several varieties, ranging from sweet to very spicy. Each family usually has its own secret recipe, and there are countless regional variations.

Paprika Chicken