Dish Spotlight: Chicken Paprikash

If you’re looking for a comforting dish to expand your cooking repertoire, chicken paprikash is the perfect addition. This Hungarian classic, also known as paprika chicken, is an uncomplicated dish that is sure to impress everyone while you are learning to cook.

Recipes typically call for chicken, onions, paprika, sour cream, butter and sometimes green peppers and tomatoes as well. As with any dish, chicken paprikash recipes vary depending on the region and family of origin. You can dress up this classic dish or make a minimalist version in a slow-cooker. Slow cooking the chicken allows for a melt-in-your mouth texture, but some cooks prefer the paprika to take on a toasted flavor from the oven or sauté pan. Some prefer extra sour cream while others go heavy on the paprika, so find the combination that makes you come back for seconds. Traditionally, chicken paprikash is served with an egg-noodle called spaetzle, but it can also be served with pasta, rice or dumplings.

Paprika powder is essential to this Hungarian dish. The colorful spice is produced by grinding the dried deep red pods of the pepper plant. The Turks brought paprika to Hungary in the 16th to 17th centuries, and now Hungary is a lead producer. The flavor ranges from sweet to hot, depending of the type of pepper used. The color also ranges from red to brown. Depending on your fondness for spice, you can use a sweet or hot paprika for your recipe. Use a quality paprika to get the most out of the simple flavors of the dish.

This uncomplicated recipe is proof that sometimes the simple things in life are the best. Try a basic Hungarian chicken paprikash recipe to experience the delightful flavors that have made this dish a beloved classic. Soon you will be moving on to more complicated recipes, but this is one that will keep you coming back.

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