Hungarian Chicken Goulash
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This Chicken Goulash recipe is made in traditional Hungarian fashion where simple ingredients yield a tremendous depth of flavor! Hearty, delicious, and satisfying to the soul, this Hungarian chicken goulash is even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop!
Whether you live in what is currently a cool and rainy place like Washington, an area that is just beginning to thaw out from a mini ice age, or some warm and sunny region, this Hungarian Chicken Goulash is something you will all enjoy regardless of your current climate conditions.
I love Hungarian food. I love the country, the people, the culture, the traditions…their handmade leather goods, their architecture (Budapest is one stunning city – that famous bridge, the parliament, the Fisherman’s Wharf, wow!) and those fantastic and incredible little túró rudi’s – Hungarian chocolate bars that are kept refrigerated. An outer coating of chocolate with a sweet and tangy cheese curd in the middle. I could write sonnets about these cheesy-chocolate delights…*sigh*…focus, Kimberly, focus.
My brother had the opportunity to live in Hungary for two years, so he (lucky guy) got to experience much more of Hungary than I did. He also speaks Hungarian fluently. Just before we moved back to the U.S. he took me to what had been one of favorite restaurants in Budapest. Rustic wood tables and benches, wood walls and floors. Charming atmosphere. The food was served on wooden slab-like plates. We realized it probably wasn’t the most hygienic (you know, as you cut into wood with utensils it’s easy for food particles to get stuck in the grooves over time). Still, it didn’t detract from our enjoyment of the meal one bit. Our favorite dish to order was the Pörkölt, a traditional thick Hungarian meat stew that is served over Hungarian egg noodles that resemble German Spaetzle. Along with it we enjoyed a classic Hungarian cucumber salad and for dessert Washideg Meggyleves, a well-known and delicious chilled cherry soup (cherries, sugar, lemon, cinnamon, sour cream, etc). We ordered this same meal several times during our last trip to Budapest.
I found a smoking deal on some lovely organic yellow bell peppers last week and so I stocked up. Yesterday I was trying to figure out what to make for dinner. I remembered I had those bell peppers. I also had some chicken thawing in the fridge. Why not a chicken version of Hungary’s national dish?
You will be amazed at how a few simple ingredients elicit such an amazing depth of flavor. The key is adding lots and lots of paprika and slowly stewing down the soup for a good hour or more. I’m always amused when I see “authentic” Hungarian recipes on the web that call for a teaspoon or two of paprika. In Hungary, paprika is quite literally added by the handful. That is what gives you the classic flavor that makes Hungarian food so delicious. That and pork fat, butter, onions, kolbász (traditional Hungarian sausage)…oh my!
Using quality, real Hungarian paprika SO important for the best flavor results. There’s no comparison in flavor. We recommend this genuine Hungarian paprika from the Kalocsa region of Hungary. It has an extraordinarily rich flavor and an exceptionally vibrant red color. Many of our readers have tried it, written back and agree that quality Hungarian-imported paprika makes all the difference.
Equipped with the best Hungarian paprika you’re all set for a delicious feast – Bon appetit!
Or, as the Hungarians say – Jó étvágyat!
Hungarian Chicken Goulash
Let’s get started!
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven (I use and love Lodge) over medium high heat and cook the onions for about 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent and just beginning to turn golden. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the bell peppers and the paprika powder and cook for another 7-8 minutes.
Add the chicken breast and stir to combine.
Add the tomatoes and enough chicken broth to cover everything.
Add the bay leaves, cracked peppercorns, and crushed caraway seeds. Stir to combine. Bring the goulash to a boil, reduce the heat to a low simmer, and continue to simmer, covered, for an hour.
Serve the goulash hot with a dollop of sour cream (the sour cream is a fabulous addition, don’t omit it!).
Enjoy!
For more delicious Hungarian recipes be sure to try my:
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Hungarian Chicken Goulash
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 large yellow onions , chopped
- 5 cloves garlic , minced
- 6 yellow or orange bell peppers , or a combination of the two, chopped
- 3 tomatoes , diced
- 3 chicken breasts , about 1 1/2 pounds, cubed
- 1/4 cup genuine Hungarian paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds , crushed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon crushed black peppercorns
- 4 cups quality chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium high heat. Saute the onions until tender and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the bell peppers and the paprika powder and cook for another 7-8 minutes until tender. Add the tomatoes and chicken and cook for another two minutes. Add the caraway seeds, bay leaves and cracked peppercorns. Stir to combine. Pour in enough of the chicken broth to just cover the mixture, about 4 cups. Bring the goulash to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for one hour. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve in bowls with a dollop of sour cream.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet April 15, 2013
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
Absolutely Wunderbar!!!!!
Vielen Dank, Gaby! <3
Can you suggest the best Hungarian paprika to purchase? Many thanks
Hi Elaine, yes, for the absolute best results it’s imperative to not just use “Hungarian” or “Hungarian style” paprika, but one that is actually imported from Hungary. You’ll have to read the label carefully to ascertain that. Here is an example of REAL imported Hungarian paprika: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UU2KXQ?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B004UU2KXQ&linkCode=xm2&tag=thedargou09-20
I made this with very little garlic (personal choice) and no peppers. It was delicious!! I’ll definitely make it again.
Can you use Chicken Stock instead of bouillon cubes?
Hi Michael, yes you can.
I made a half batch last night. I now see from your pic how much liquid there is. I was expecting far less liquid, it is more like soup. And so much so, that I felt I couldn’t thickening the sauce without a major hit to the flavor. Next time, I will not add water, and it should come out to the consistency I was expected. Also the recipe evaluation system only allows me a 5-star selection. I was going to rate it 3.
Hi Tristan, unlike German style goulash which is a thick stew, traditional Hungarian goulash is just what you said – a soup. I checked the star rating option and it it’s working – you can select between 1 and 5 stars.
Hey, I just wanted to reach out. I made this originally according to the recipe (mostly) in 2017, and it was a big hit. I saw all the lovely peppers at the market and decided it was time to try it again. However, this time I wanted it to be a Beef Goulash. So I took your recipe and replaced the chicken with diced London Broil (on sale, of course), removed the chicken bullion, and replaced the water with beef broth, leaving everything the same. It came out wonderful, and now we have another excellent variation on this lovely dish. This time I served it over egg noodles, and that was a big hit as well. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks so much for the feedback, Jim, I’m happy you enjoyed both versions!
Added mushrooms, and large chunks of potato and carrot. Mushrooms were a mistake,left a very un-goulashy undertaste. Brought to boil, then baked couple hours on low covered, then uncovered for last hour. Came out fine. Tasty, healthy meal. Thank you!