Recipe for Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Dumplings (a Must try!)
Hey food lovers! Let’s dive into a dish that’s cozy, comforting, and packed with flavor – Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Dumplings.
This dish is a classic in Hungarian cuisine, known for its rich, paprika-infused sauce and tender chicken, served with fluffy dumplings.
It’s the kind of meal that warms you from the inside out, perfect for chilly days or when you’re craving something hearty.
This recipe:
- Serves: 4-6 people
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40-50 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Difficulty: Medium
Ingredients:
- · 4 chicken thighs and 4 drumsticks (skin-on, bone-in)
- · 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- · 2 large onions, chopped
- · 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- · 2 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika
- · 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
- · 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- · 250 ml chicken broth
- · 200 ml sour cream
- · Salt and pepper to taste
- · - For the dumplings -
- · 2 cups all-purpose flour
- · 2 eggs
- · 100 ml water
- · A pinch of salt
How to prepare Hungarian Chicken Paprikash with Dumplings
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and brown it on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same pot, add the onions and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the paprika, then quickly add the tomatoes and chicken broth to avoid burning the paprika.
- Simmer: Return the chicken to the pot, add the bell pepper, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for about 30-40 minutes until the chicken is tender.
- Prepare the Dumplings: While the chicken cooks, mix the flour, eggs, water, and salt in a bowl to form a sticky dough. Using two spoons or a spaetzle maker, drop small pieces of dough into a pot of boiling salted water. They’re done when they float to the top.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove the chicken from the sauce. Stir in the sour cream and heat through. Do not boil. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve: Place the chicken on a serving dish, ladle the sauce over it, and serve with the dumplings.
Nutritional Advantages:
Chicken is a great source of lean protein, while paprika is rich in antioxidants. The dumplings, though a bit indulgent, offer a comforting carb fix, and the veggies sneak in some vitamins and minerals.
Recipe Alternatives:
- For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based sour cream.
- Gluten-free flour can be used for the dumplings if needed.
Extra Tips:
- Use authentic Hungarian paprika for the best flavor.
- Browning the chicken first adds depth to the dish.
- You can add a bit of cayenne pepper for some heat.
Cooking Method Insights:
The key to this dish is the paprika; it should be fragrant but not burnt. Slow cooking the chicken ensures it’s fall-off-the-bone tender.
This Chicken Paprikash with Dumplings is not just a meal; it’s a warm hug on a plate. It’s a dish that’s steeped in tradition and flavor, and I’m sure it’ll become a favorite in your home as it is in mine. So, put on your apron, and let’s bring some Hungarian delight to your table.
Jó étvágyat! (That’s ‘enjoy your meal’ in Hungarian!)
