Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2.5 pounds boneless chicken breasts and thighs, diced into bite-size chunks
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (divided, plus extra for seasoning)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (divided)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Butter and Aromatics
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
Liquids and Flavorings
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons Hungarian sweet paprika
- 1 cup sour cream
Noodles
- 1 (12-ounce) package egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
Instructions
- Flour the Chicken: Season the diced chicken chunks with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and ground black pepper. Toss the chicken with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour until evenly coated. Set aside while preparing other ingredients.
- Sauté Onion and Chicken: In a large skillet, melt part of the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 10 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the flour-coated chicken pieces and brown them on all sides to develop a nice crust and flavor.
- Deglaze the Pan: Carefully pour in half of the chicken stock into the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, which adds depth to the sauce.
- Simmer with Paprika: Add the remaining chicken stock along with the Hungarian sweet paprika and the remaining 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Stir thoroughly to combine the ingredients. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer gently for about 25 minutes until very tender.
- Prepare Egg Noodles: While the chicken simmers, cook the egg noodles following package instructions. Retain 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid before draining. Return the drained noodles to the pot, add the reserved cooking liquid and the salted butter, then cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until the noodles are well coated and buttery.
- Make the Paprikash Sauce: When the chicken is tender, transfer it to a plate temporarily. Whisk the remaining 1 tablespoon of flour into the sour cream until smooth. To temper the sour cream, slowly whisk in 1/2 cup of the hot stock and drippings from the skillet. Gradually stir the tempered sour cream mixture back into the skillet with the remaining cooking liquid until fully incorporated.
- Thicken the Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and stir to coat them evenly with the creamy paprika sauce. Simmer uncovered on low heat for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Be careful to avoid boiling, which could cause the sour cream to curdle.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve the chicken paprikash hot, generously ladled over the buttered egg noodles.
Notes
- Use Hungarian sweet paprika for authentic flavor and vibrant color.
- Tempering the sour cream prevents curdling when it’s added to the hot sauce.
- Chicken thighs add more flavor and tenderness compared to breasts alone.
- Make sure not to boil the sauce after adding sour cream to maintain a creamy consistency.
- Butter the noodles well for a richer taste and silkier texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Hungarian