Hungarian Chicken Paprika With Spaetzle Recipes

CHICKEN PAPRIKASH WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• OK let's be Hungarian.
• Firstly we don't call the dumplings "spaetzle" but I can't spell the word that Grandma always used so I've borrowed the German term. (I've since learned how to spell Nokedli.).
• Start by heating the oil in a large pot and browning your chicken parts.
• Remove the chicken and add the butter or margarine to the pot.
• Sauté the onion in the melted butter until transparent.
• Add paprika, chicken, and water, bring to a boil then reduce to simmer for 45 minutes. (NOTE: I've learned over the years that using a 32 oz box of broth adds a lot of flavor to the dish.).
• Chicken should be very tender and about to fall off bones.
• Remove chicken to bowl.
• Add enough fresh water to pot to bring back to original level.
• Check flavor of broth.
• If flavor is weak add enough bullion to produce a well flavored broth. (SKIP this step if you used broth.).
• Bring broth to boil.
• Combine flour, salt, and pepper with eggs (the more eggs the richer the batter but two is OK) to form a thick batter.
• Now comes the tricky (and boring) part.
• Drop batter in boiling broth in 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon amounts until all batter is in pot and cooked.
• Spaetzle is cooked when it floats on surface.
• You may need to remove some to get it all in the pot.
• With all spaetzle cooked and in pot you now add your sour cream to broth. The amount is individual according to how creamy you wish the sauce to become (and how much water you started with).
• At this point I usually add about three tablespoons of flour mixed with one cup of water to thicken the broth. Sorry I omitted this step in the original submission.
• The sauce and spaetzle is the best part of this dish so be sure to make enough! They will be coming back for seconds on that part of the dish.
• One of the most surprising things about this dish is it actually tastes better the second day. Sooo if you are making it for a special dinner prepare it the day before and simply reheat it one half hour before serving.

HUNGARIAN CHICKEN PAPRIKA WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• In a large soup pot, sauté the onions in vegetable oil or pork lard over low heat, stirring frequently, until translucent. Do not let them burn. Salt lightly to help tenderize them. The onions should be cut into very, very small pieces. This is essential in order to achieve the "stew consistency". Add a small amount of water, if necessary, to keep them from sticking to the pan.
• Remove the pot from the heat, add the sweet Hungarian paprika, stir. Add the tomatoes, the sweet yellow pepper and stir again. Do not burn the paprika, or it will become bitter.
• Add the chicken legs and thighs, salt to taste. Add some water, make sure that the bottom of the pan is wet so the paprika does not burn. Be careful not to add too much water! The meat contains water that comes out during the cooking process. If you add too much water it will lose the stew consistency.
• Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until the meat is tender. This can take up to 50-70 minutes. Stir occasionally. If it is starts to stick to the pan, add a bit more water. If it is soupy, cook it with the lid off.
• The dish is done when the meat easily falls off the bone. Add 2 tablespoons of sour cream, stir gently (do not break the meat) and simmer over low heat for a few more minutes.

EASIEST AND TASTIEST CHICKEN PAPRIKASH WITH SPAETZLE

Steps:

• Prepare spaetzle as directed on package. I cook mine a few minutes longer as I do not like al dente.
• Drain and reserve.
• Brown onion in shortening.
• Add seasonings and chicken and brown ten minutes.
• Add water.
• Cover and simmer slowly until tender.
• Remove chicken and keep warm.
• Add sour cream to sauce and mix well. Add prepared dumplings.
• Arrange chicken pieces on top. Heat for 5 minutes.
• For more gravy: add 1/2 pint of sweet cream to the sour cream.
• Note: For beef or veal paprikash, substitute 3 to 4 pounds boneless diced meat in place of chicken in recipe.

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.