This dish, the heart and soul of Hungary, is typically served over egg noodles, and this recipe makes enough sauce to dress them as well as the chicken. I’m using boneless skinless thighs for flavor and a shortened cooking time (cube them for even faster cooking). The grating blade of a food processor is great for grating the onions, and a Microplane makes fast work of the garlic.
Ingredients
- 3 heaping tablespoons Heirloom Sweet Paprika
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground Vine-Ripened Black Peppercorns, plus more to taste
- 1 1/2 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup heavy cream or half-and-half, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup full-fat sour cream, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, more as needed
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 large yellow onion, grated
- 3 large garlic cloves, finely minced or grated
- 1 large ripe tomato, diced, or 1 cup diced canned tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Purple Shallot Powder
Directions
Step 1
In a large measuring cup, whisk the paprika, salt, and pepper into the broth until well blended; set next to your stovetop. In another large measuring cup or a bowl, whisk the heavy cream (or half-and-half) into the sour cream, then whisk in the flour; set next to your stovetop.
Step 2
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When hot, add 3 tablespoons olive oil and sear the chicken thighs on both sides, then transfer them to a large plate. Add another tablespoon of olive oil if the pot looks dry and then sauté the onions until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and tomatoes and sauté for 3 minutes.
Step 3
Use tongs to transfer the chicken back to the pot and pour on the broth-paprika mixture. Bring to a boil, then immediately turn down the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F when placed in two of the thighs.
Step 4
Use the tongs to transfer the thighs to a clean plate. Use a spatula to scrape the cream mixture into the sauce, then a large balloon whisk to blend it in thoroughly. Constantly whisking, maintain a simmer to cook the flour and thicken the sauce for about 5 minutes. Whisk in the shallot powder. Return the chicken to the sauce to heat it through.
Yields 4 servings