Chef Johns Chicken Paprikash Recipes

PAP'S CHICKEN PAPRIKASH

Steps:

• For the chicken paprikash: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Season the chicken with one-third of the paprika (1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon), 1 tablespoon salt and some pepper.
• Heat the oil and chicken fat or butter in a large ovenproof pan over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken and brown for 2 minutes per side; remove to a plate. Add the onions, cabbage and remaining paprika (2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons) and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the flour and cook the roux, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in the stock, making sure there are no lumps.
• Return the chicken to the pan skin-side up. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and measures 160 degrees F, 20 to 35 minutes.
• For the spaetzle: While the chicken is cooking, bring a saucepan of water to a boil.
• Sift the flour and 1 teaspoon salt into a bowl. Make a well and mix in the eggs and milk.
• Dampen a plastic cutting board and place the dough mixture on it. Cut off strips of dough into the water and cook for 3 minutes. Drain the spaetzle and rinse under cold water. Set aside until the chicken is done.
• Add the spaetzle to the chicken pan, stir in the sour cream and parsley if using and serve.

CHICKEN PAPRIKASH

Steps:

• Combine the carrots, sweet paprika, bouillon, butter, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaves, celery, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon pepper in a medium stockpot. Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the butter is melted and the vegetables are beginning to sweat, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken, browning liquid and 2 1/2 quarts water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the chicken is falling apart, about 1 hour.
• Pick out the bay leaves, then stir the pot, to break up the chicken. Add the sour cream and stir thoroughly. Slowly add the flour slurry, stirring constantly, until the raw flour taste is gone and the stew has thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Serve over dumplings.

CHEF JOHN'S CHICKEN PAPRIKASH

Steps:

• Season chicken generously on both sides with salt. Heat olive oil in a heavy, deep-sided pan (that comes with a lid) over high heat and brown the chicken well, skin-side down, about 5 minutes; flip and continue to sear until other side is browned, 3 to 4 minutes more. Turn off heat. Transfer the browned chicken to a plate and reserve until needed; spoon out excess chicken fat if desired.
• Add onions and a pinch of salt to the same pan and saute over medium until golden, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, tomato paste, and flour and cook, stirring, another 3 to 4 minutes to form a tomato roux. Stir in 1 teaspoon kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, smoked paprika, and sweet paprika and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer over high heat.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and transfer chicken and accumulated juices back into the pan. Baste the tops with the sauce, cover the pan with the lid, and simmer, basting occasionally with the sauce, until the chicken is no longer pink in the centers and is fork-tender, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove the chicken and transfer to a plate.
• Skim some fat off the top of the sauce if desired. Whisk heavy cream and sour cream into the sauce and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Transfer the chicken and any juices back into the sauce. Simmer, uncovered, basting often, until chicken is heated through and very tender, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.