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Hungarian chicken paprika with nokedli noodles (spaetzle) – Paprikás csirke nokedlivel
If there is food served in Heaven, I am sure this dish is on the menu! This recipe for Hungarian chicken paprika with spaetzle will not disappoint. You can create this meal to satisfy a hungry family of 4. You will need chicken, vegetable oil or lard, lots of onions, salt, sweet paprika powder, fresh tomatoes, sweet yellow peppers, and sour cream. Serve the chicken paprika with nokedli noodles (also known as spätzle).
The name of this dish comes from the most important ingredient in the dish: Hungarian paprika.
What is the best paprika to use?
Paprika is essentially air-dried peppers ground into a fine powder. There are eight types of paprika varying in colour and pungency. I prefer using sweet paprika that has a rich red color. I never use smoked or spicy paprika, you can make your dish spicy after you serve, you add as much heat to the dish as you want. I love to mix in some Erős Pista (Hungarian chili paste) or sprinkle with some fresh hot peppers.
I mainly use paprika from Szeged, but Kalocsa Paprika is also wonderful. The best to purchase paprika from Hungary, look for shops selling imported spices or oder online.
How to make Hungarian chicken paprika?
Chicken paprika is one of the most commonly prepared dishes in Hungarian households. You need simple ingredients, it is a quick dish, done in an hour. Besides paprika you need bone-in chicken (legs and thighs), onions, sweet pepper, tomato and sour cream. I always use sweet yellow pepper, wax pepper or banana pepper is also a good choice. Always use fresh tomato, forget the canned tomatoes.
Make sure you do not burn your paprika, or it becomes bitter.
Sourcream makes this tasty one pot chicken paprika rich and creamy. The dish is finished off with a generous dollop of sour cream which I never mix with flour, I like it without.
You can serve your chicken paprika with nokedli noodles (spaetzle) or boiled potatoes and cucumber salad. I just love

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