Foodie Blogroll

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Chicken Paprika


 A friend of ours went to Hungary to visit his father. His father was in Sarasota for most of summer and he brought him to the Mr Beery's Hump Day 3k runs, so we got a chance to get to know him. After the runs we would try the different kinds of beers on tap (they have 20) all from micro breweries around the world. Our favorite seems to be the darker but not so dark ones, we often get the brown ales that they had on tap for that week. Many times we end up talking food...so earlier this month when he went back to Hungary, my husband asked if he would bring me back some spices.
 Of course he brought us some Hungarian paprika, some hot and sweet paprika! He said most of the seasonings there are salt, pepper and paprika! It didn't take me long to find a common meal made in Hungary with Hungarian paprika. My first stop was my friend Elisabeth's blog Food and Thrift since she is Hungarian...and an awesome cook.
 I did change it up a bit, and this is not your authentic typical chicken paprikash. Apparently every Hungarian family has their own version, just like American families will have their own way of making chili.

I had picked up some shredded brussels sprouts from Trader Joe's and thought it would be a nice touch, so I sauteed some shallots in a little butter and rice bran oil, then added the brussels sprouts, and I diced the chicken breasts first before adding them to the pan. I used some of the hot and sweet paprika.
I also added in some fresh organic cauliflower that I wanted to use up or I should say not forget about in the fridge.
Also added some fresh organic kale...I figured it would be a one pot meal.
This is served over rice, dumplings, potatoes or egg noodles, or like Elisabeth likes to use...spaetzle! I wish I had some spaetzle left...and I was actually upset a little that I used up my wide egg noodles too, so I found some organic pasta that I had in the pantry and used that.
We really enjoyed it, super yummy meal! The chicken was tender and I actually loved the cauliflower like this...It would be good over anything!
So check here for Elisabeth's own recipe Chicken Paprikash. and this is what I did...

3 chicken breasts (skinless, boneless, cubed)
1 half head of cauliflower cut in pieces
1 large shallot chopped (because that's what I had)
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon rice bran oil
1/4 cup water
1 cup tomato sauce
salt and pepper to taste
 2 tablespoons sweet Hungarian paprika,
1 tablespoon hot Hungarian paprika 
I tossed in some fresh chopped kale (of course this is optional and you can use any greens that you like)


In a large pot  Dutch oven) saute shallots in butter and oil till they get translucent. Then I added the shaved brussels sprouts. Add the chicken pieces and saute on medium high heat for a few minutes. Add the paprika, and the 1/4 water, and stir together carefully, cook about 5 minutes then add the cauliflower. Cook for about 10 minutes with lid closed. Add the tomato sauce, salt,  pepper, and kale and simmer for about 30 minutes, until chicken is done and tender and cauliflower should be fork tender. I lessened the cooking time because I use boneless cubed chicken and it cooks quicker.

Sauce:
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chicken broth

In a small mixing bowl whisk together chicken broth and sour cream then add in the 2 tablespoons flour and stir until smooth and no lumps. Remove the pot from the heat, and the sour cream mixture,  by carefully folding it in the pot not breaking the chicken pieces. Shake the mixture in the pot carefully and put back on the burner on low heat to gently heat up the sauce carefully not to heat to a boil...just to a gentle simmer, and turn off. It's ready to serve over noodles, rice, potatoes, or shell pasta.

Can't wait to make it again...of course it's hard for us blogger to repeat a meal without posting...but some are just worth it! Thanks Elisabeth! This is perfect any time of year.




27 comments:

  1. I love when someone brings me back spices from a trip~

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  2. This paprika chicken looks so delicious and I love you added cauliflower to the chicken, very healthy too.

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  3. You know what's weird? I have never tried paprika! I have SO many spices in my cuboard, but NO paprika! This NEEDS to change!

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  4. Lyndsey, I tried to check out your new post when you commented to me but it wasn't up yet. Just at the last minute before going to bed I was curious, and here it is!...smiling...

    I am so, so proud of you for doing such a fantastic spin on the chicken paprikash! How could you not? ...with getting authentic hot and sweet paprika from Hungary...I envy you!

    The first thing I wanted to check to see if you got the amount of the paprika right, and also the method...and you are right on the 'money'!
    You even made the sauce thickening exactly the way it should be...smooth and creamy adding it at the last minute. Love how you added the cauliflower and the kale...as long as you have the method 'downpat' you can add your veggies of your choice. Some folks even add diced potatoes to make it like a stew.

    Thank you for the 'shout-out' and the sweet mention...if someone wants to check out my chicken paprikash, they could just type it in the recipe search and it will bring it up...even the spaetzli-nokedli
    Can't get over the gorgeous purple flowers growing in your garden:) xoxo

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    1. Thanks so much Elisabeth, som nice of you to say. I thought of that when I commented that I probably should of told you after I posted...but at least you found it. :) I know I added a little more paprika, but it was good!

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  5. I simply enjoy the taste of paprika. It smell wonderful cooking with meat. Yours just tempted me & making me so hungry at this time....about 1pm here. haha... Take care & have a great week ahead. Looking forward hearing from you some time. Do write when you're free.
    Blessings, Kristy

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  6. Perfect, I love it when I have a tasty meal and not much washing up to do :-) Have a good week Diane

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  7. That looks like a comfort dish to me, Lyndsey. With a tad of heat added And it would be perfect over spaetzle, which I love.

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  8. This is terrific comfort food!

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  9. Looks absolutely delicious! I love paprika! I usually use the smoked and sweet ones! Thanks for sharing!
    Have a nice day!

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  10. I have not had Chicken Paprikash in ages...your version looks creamy and comforting and delicious! And I love the Morning Glories (they're my favorites)!!

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  11. What a wonderful combination of flavors Lyndsey! Truly warm, slightly exotic and all the better with treasured authentic spices. Lucky you!

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  12. Mmmm....love the look of your dish. It looks delicious. I don't really use a lot of paprika but I love to add some into my curry :D

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  13. We're having cold weather again and I kind of miss comfortable warm weather and feeling jealous of your warm weather. :)

    What a hearty delicious dish, Lyndsey!

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  14. Lovely chicken dish, Lyndsey. I think the traditional paprikas csirke contains always fresh pepper, but I'm sure the paprika is the most important.

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  15. Hi Lyndsey, your chicken paprika sure look delicious and awesome. Yummy.

    Have a nice week ahead,regards.

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  16. I've been meaning to try paprika chicken. Yours looks delicious!

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  17. The creamy paprika chicken looks so great! I need more sauce!

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  18. This Chicken paprika had my mouth watering!

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  19. this looks delicious and i like the sound of that thickening gravy at the end. I have a bottle of paprika in my kitchen drawer, mccormicks..eesh, i dont even know it's sweet or hot!

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  20. This chicken paprika look delicious Lyndsey!

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  21. I bet that hot hungarian paprika really MAKES this pop!

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  22. One day I would love to visit Hungary and bring back some paprika! Sounds wonderful and you make me want to fix that very same dish at once!

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  23. that looks delicious and so comforting for a cold autumn evening! would love to get hold of some hungarian paprika too!

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  24. Lindsey, your chicken dish looks delicious and I love the Hungarian paprika...
    Hope you are having a great week :)

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  25. This is a dish I have not yet made but it looks so appealing. I love your additions also making it a wonderful one dish meal.

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  26. Your version of this classic dish sounds delicious. I love to adapt recipes to reflect my family's taste and what I have in the fridge. What a nice friend to bring you some Hungarian paprika.

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