Chicken paprikash is a classic Hungarian dish known for its rich, comforting flavors and signature creamy paprika sauce. It features tender pieces of chicken simmered in a savory blend of onions, sweet paprika, and broth, finished with sour cream for a smooth, velvety texture. The paprika is the heart of the dish, giving both color and warmth without overpowering heat.
Traditionally, bone-in chicken pieces are used, as they add depth of flavor to the sauce while staying juicy through slow cooking. The dish begins by sautéing onions until soft and golden, then stirring in a generous amount of paprika to release its fragrance. The chicken is browned lightly before being simmered in the paprika-infused sauce until tender. Near the end, sour cream is stirred in to create a creamy consistency and a pleasant tang that balances the richness.
Chicken paprikash is often served with traditional Hungarian noodles called nokedli, similar to German spaetzle. The small dumplings are perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce, though buttered egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes also make excellent accompaniments.
Part of the charm of chicken paprikash is its adaptability. Some versions use sweet paprika exclusively, while others incorporate a touch of hot paprika for gentle heat. Additional vegetables, such as bell peppers or tomatoes, can be added for a fresh dimension, although purists often keep the ingredient list simple to let the paprika shine.
This dish has a long history as a staple of Hungarian home cooking, beloved for its balance of hearty comfort and straightforward preparation. It is equally suited to a weeknight family dinner or a more festive meal, as it delivers big flavor without requiring complicated techniques.
Served with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and maybe an extra dollop of sour cream, chicken paprikash is a dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to the table. It is a reminder that sometimes, all you need for a memorable meal is a few quality ingredients, patience, and the magic of paprika.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for browning
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons paprika Hungarian sweet
- 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon flour for thickening
- to taste salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, and brown them in the skillet until golden, about 5 minutes per side.
- Remove the chicken and set aside. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened.
- Stir in the paprika and flour, and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, cover, and simmer for about 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- In a small bowl, mix the sour cream with a bit of the hot sauce from the skillet to temper it before adding it back in.
- Add the sour cream mixture back to the skillet, stir to combine, and let it warm through.
- Adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional lemon juice before serving.
Nutrition
Paprika is the key! Such an easy recipe, turned out delish! I used chicken breast tho since that’s what I had. Still great!
This chicken paprikash is AMAZING! The flavor is just perfect and my family loved it. Will definitely make again!
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s one of my favorite recipes too. Did you make any changes?
Sounds delish, but is it really that good? I tried a similar recipe and wasn’t impressed.
Delicious 😍
Sounds good, but why is it called Paprikash? Paprika ain’t even spicy!
Looks amazing! I can’t wait to try this recipe. 😋
Good recipe but needs more seasoning! I added garlic salt and it made it way better!
I totally agree! I think garlic really brings out the flavor, can’t believe I didn’t think of that!
Too many steps for me. Can’t a chicken just be cooked? lol
I tried making this but it turned out so dry. I think I did somethin wrong. Maybe the cook time was too long?
I don’t like sour cream. Can I leave it out? Would it still taste as good?
You can totally leave out the sour cream! It might be a bit different, but still yummy. Just add a bit more broth or maybe some cream if you have it.
Wow just wow, perfect for dinner! I served it with rice, and it was a hit!
This isnt real chicken paprikash. Where are the dumplings? Disappointed!
I don’t get why everyone likes this so much. The chicken turned out dry for me.
Maybe you cooked it too long? Chicken can dry out if it’s overcooked. Give it another shot, it’s delicious when done right!
I substituted chicken with tofu for a vegetarian option! Still delicious!
Chicken paprikash is a classic! Reminds me of my grandma’s kitchen. Love it!
My family devoured this—super comforting. The paprika + sour cream combo is legit. I used boneless thighs and it still worked great.
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it out tonight. Paprika is my fave!
Not great. Can’t believe I wasted chicken on this recipe.
I actually loved this recipe! The flavors were amazing. Maybe you just cooked it wrong? 🤷♂️
Seems like you just don’t appreciate good food. Chicken paprikash is classic! 😒
I tried it but used boneless chicken. Just as good, maybe a bit dry tho.
I think boneless chicken is a great idea! Just add some extra broth if it gets dry next time.
But isn’t bone-in chicken better for flavor? You missed out on something special, I bet!
2 many steps! Can’t handle that. Just wanna cook quick.
Sour cream? In chicken? 🤨 Sounds weird, fam. Didn’t like it.
I followed the recipe exactly but it turned out kinda bland. Maybe I didn’t add enough salt?
My grandma makes this dish too! She uses way more paprika tho. Tradition!
That’s awesome! Paprika really makes a difference. What a great tradition!
Came out a bit too salty for my taste. Maybe watch out for that if you use salty broth.
Thanks for the tip! I guess I’ll try low sodium broth next time. How did you like the flavor otherwise?
Easy to make and tasty too! Will definitely make this again. 😄
I dunno, my skillet started smoking and I panicked. Is that normal?
Um, smoking? Is that normal? I thought it meant somethin’ was burnin? Be careful, you don’t wanna start a fire!
Yeah, that happens sometimes! It means the pan is really hot. Just lower the heat a bit next time.
So simple yet delicious! My family loved it. Perfect with rice or noodles.
I’m glad your family loved it! Chicken Paprikash is one of my favorites too.
I hate paprika. I omitted it and it was still okay, but not as good as real paprikash.
I tried to “cook flour and paprika 1-2 minutes” but I think I burned it a bit. Whole thing ended up bitter and the broth tasted off. Be careful with heat!
Ugh, that sounds rough—paprika + flour can go bitter fast if it gets too hot. I usually keep the heat more like medium and stir constantly right after adding.
I made this a mess. Closed the lid and the sauce splattered everywhere. So much effort for clean-up.
Oh no! That sounds frustrating. I always keep a splash guard handy when cooking. It really helps!
Honestly, it was kinda bland for my taste. Needed more spices, maybe garlic?
Yum! Reminded me of home, I added a little garlic powder too!
So glad you enjoyed it! Garlic powder is a great addition. Did you serve it with anything special?
I don’t get why people love this so much. It’s just chicken, right? Garlic powder? Sounds odd to me.
What is chicken paprikash? I thought it was something else entirely.
It was AMAZING! Perfect comfort food for this rainy day.
Yum! I added some mushrooms and it was delicious! Great recipe.
This was soooo good! The chicken turned out super tender and the sauce was perfect with noodles. My family loved it!
Tried it with a different type of meat and it didn’t work. Stick to chicken people!
My Hungarian paprika was kinda old, so the flavor was muted. Also I didn’t measure salt carefully and it was slightly bland. Still edible and the chicken was tender.
I don’t get what’s so great about this. Mine turned out too sour, maybe I used too much sour cream?
This chicken paprikash is amazing! The flavor is just right and it made my kitchen smell so good. Thank you for sharing!
The lemon juice is optional but I think it’s what makes it pop. I added more than one teaspoon and now it’s my new go-to—like super cozy and tangy.
Yum! Tasty chicken dish, though I forgot to add the lemon juice. Still turned out good!
I can’t believe you forgot the lemon juice! It’s the best part! But I’m glad it still turned out yummy. Maybe try it again with the lemon next time!
Too much sour cream for my taste. Maybe just a bit next time.
I like it creamy! But I get it, sour cream can be a lot for some people. You could try Greek yogurt too!
Wow, this was so good! The paprika gives it a great flavor. My family loved it!
Yummy! But why do you add flour if you already have sour cream? 😕
Doesn’t make sense to me! Sour cream is already thick. Why add more? 🤨
I think the flour helps to thicken the sauce, even with sour cream. It’s a classic way to make it creamier! 😋
Pretty good, but I think it needed more paprika. Next time I’ll probably double it or use a smoked one for extra depth.
chicken was raw inside. Had to cook it longer. Not happy 😡
Good but needs garlic! Garlic makes everything better!
Super easy recipe! I added some garlic because I love it. Gonna make this again!
That sounds delicious! Garlic is a great addition to chicken paprikash. Can’t wait to try it!
Hmm… so I could eat this for breakfast, right? LOL 😂
Really? Chicken at breakfast? That seems weird to me. 🤔
Of course! Who says you can’t have chicken for breakfast? 😄
So good!! Perfect for rainy days. Comfort food!
This is not a real chicken paprikash! Where’s the dumplings?
Can you make it without the chicken? Like just using veggies? I want to try a vegetarian version.
This recipe is amazing! So creamy and flavorful. My family loved it!
I had to substitute chicken breasts ’cause that’s what I had, still good though.
Yum! My kids devoured this. Perfect for a weeknight meal.
I must say, this recipe looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it out for my family this week. Thanks for sharing!
Wasn’t sure about the sour cream part. Can I skip it? Asking for a friend.
So easy! If I can make this, anyone can! LOL. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve made it three times now, and it’s a hit every time. Thanks!
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s a family favorite in our house too. What do you usually serve it with?
Three times? Really? I made it once and it was kinda bland, maybe I didn’t use enough spices. 🤔
Yum! I added some bell peppers and it was a hit at dinner. Made me feel like a chef!
That’s awesome! Bell peppers sound like a great addition. I’ll have to try that next time!
Paprika? Who needs that? Just use ketchup lol.
The instructions are confusing and the cook time was way off for me. Not so great.
The instructions are clear, but 1 teaspoon lemon juice feels like a lot if you’re sensitive. I skipped it and still loved it. Could’ve used a pinch of garlic too.
Really? This looks too complicated for me. Is there a simpler version?
I totally get you! This does sound a bit involved. You could try just seasoning the chicken simply and serving it with some rice and veggies. Makes it easier but still yummy!
Too much paprika! It was just… too much for me. Next time I’ll cut it in half.
I actually loved the paprika! It gave it so much flavor. You could try a different brand if this one was too strong for you.
Well, I think paprika is like the soul of this dish. Without it, you just got fried chicken. But hey, do what you gotta do!
The directions say “hot sauce from the skillet” but there’s no hot sauce in the recipe?? I just tempered with broth and it was fine, but that confused me.
Good, but I like it better when my mom makes it. Hers must be a secret recipe!
Solid recipe. My mom used to make this when I was a kid! Brings back memories.
I love Chicken Paprikash! Brings back childhood too! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Not bad but I think it needed more paprika. I love a strong flavor. Might try it again with a lot more spice.
I don’t know about the sour cream. Does it have to go in? I don’t really like sour stuff. Can I skip it?
This recipe is just divine! The chicken turned out so tender and flavorful! Going to make it again for sure!
Not bad, but mine turned out a bit too thick—maybe I over-measured the flour. Still tasted like chicken paprikash though.
This was super tasty! I added a pinch of cayenne for some kick. Will make again!
Honestly, I found it a bit too greasy and the flavors were overpowering. Not my cup of tea.
Too greasy? Nah, this is how it should be! But I guess everyone’s taste is different. 🤷♂️
I completely disagree! I thought it was delicious and the flavors were just right. You might have used too much oil?
I followed this recipe almost exactly, but my chicken came out dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? Not sure if I will make it again.
Boring dish. Needed more spice, like chili or garlic.
This was my first time making anything with paprika like this. Super easy and smelled amazing. Definitely making it again with noodles!
OMG this is like the best thing I’ve ever made! So creamy and delicious! I added some mushrooms too.
Wow! Mushrooms sound like a tasty addition! I’ve been wanting to try this recipe too.
I was worried about browning bone-in skin-on for only ~5 minutes per side, but it turned out juicy. Sauce thickened nicely after the flour.
Pretty good, but my sauce turned a little thin. Next time I’ll whisk the flour more thoroughly and simmer a bit longer after adding the broth.
I’ve had that happen too—if the flour isn’t fully blended with the paprika, the sauce can stay a bit thin. Simmering longer + whisking while adding broth usually fixes it for me.
Hmm, I dunno. I followed the steps and mine was pretty thick, so maybe it’s the sour cream amount or how long you simmered with the broth? Thin sauce for me usually means not enough reduction.
Meh. Too sour for my taste—could be because I added extra sour cream. I’d cut it next time and maybe add less lemon too.
Wait, you added extra sour cream AND more lemon? That’d do it 😅 Maybe try thickening with a touch more flour instead so you don’t need as much dairy? Also paprika can taste bitter if it’s old.
Yeah, lemon can definitely make it zingy. I usually start with like 1/2 tsp (or skip) and let the paprika/sour cream do the work. Cutting back next time sounds right.
Paprika? I thought that was just spice for paprika chips. Who knew it was a main ingredient!
Made this tonight—so comforting. The paprika flavor really shines once you brown the chicken. I added a tiny extra lemon and it tasted restaurant-level.
It turned out okay, but I think it needs more flavor, maybe some garlic? My family didn’t love it.
Made this for dinner and my dog stole some chicken! He thinks it’s great too!
5 stars! My grandma made something like this, it took forever. But this was speedy.
Easy to follow instructions. Just be careful with the heat or the chicken might burn.
Easy and filling! So nice on a cold day.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about using sour cream—last time it curdled for me. This time tempering it worked though, so props. Great comfort food.
Horrible! My husband said it tasted like cardboard. I’ll stick to takeout next time!
Easy to make and tastes amazing! A perfect weeknight dinner. Will make again!
I love Chicken Paprikash! It’s such a comforting dish. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Took longer than I thought but tasted amazing! Cooked it slow, let the flavor build up. Yum!
I’m glad it turned out great! Slow cooking really does bring out the flavors. Did you serve it with anything special?
This recipe is soooo good! The paprika gives it a nice kick. My family loved it!
I completely agree! The paprika really brings out the flavor. Glad your family enjoyed it! 😊
I’m sorry but paprikash needs to be like… more stew-y. Mine was good but not really “wow”. Could be the cooking time or broth brand.
Totally get what you mean—chicken paprikash should have that deeper, stew-y sauce. I’ve found 25–30 min can be a bit short if the chicken isn’t super tender. I usually let it simmer closer to 35–45 and make sure the paprika + flour actually cooks (not just 1 min). Also, low-sodium broth sometimes makes it taste flatter, so maybe you’re right about the brand.