Add food_related/chicken.paprikash.md

food_related/chicken.paprikash.md

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+### **Ultimate Chicken Paprikash**  
+**Serves 4 | Rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful**  
+
+---
+
+### **Ingredients**  
+#### **For the Chicken Paprikash**  
+- 6-8 **bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs** (or drumsticks)  
+- 2 tbsp **lard, duck fat, or butter** (or olive oil)  
+- 2 large **onions**, thinly sliced  
+- 1 **bell pepper** (red or green), diced  
+- 3 tbsp **Hungarian sweet paprika** (essential!)  
+- 2 cloves **garlic**, minced  
+- 1 cup **chicken broth**  
+- 1 tbsp **tomato paste**  
+- 1 tsp **salt**, plus more to taste  
+- ½ tsp **black pepper**  
+- 1 **bay leaf**  
+- ¾ cup **full-fat sour cream**  
+- 1 tsp **lemon juice** or vinegar (to brighten)  
+
+#### **Carb Options** (choose one)  
+1. **Nokedli (Hungarian Dumplings)** – Traditional pairing  
+2. **Buttered Egg Noodles** – Easy weeknight option  
+3. **Crusty Bread** – For soaking up sauce  
+4. **Mashed Potatoes** – Comfort food upgrade  
+5. **Rice** – Simple and neutral  
+6. **Spätzle** – German-style dumplings  
+
+---
+
+### **Instructions**  
+
+#### **1. Sear the Chicken**  
+- Pat thighs **dry** and season with salt.  
+- Heat fat in a skillet over **medium-high**. Sear thighs **skin-side down 3-4 mins** until golden. Flip and sear 2 mins. Transfer to a plate.  
+
+#### **2. Sauté Onions & Bloom Paprika**  
+- In the same skillet, cook onions and bell pepper over **medium heat 5 mins** until soft.  
+- **Off heat**, stir in **paprika** and garlic (30 sec to bloom).  
+- Deglaze with **½ cup broth**, scraping up browned bits.  
+
+#### **3. Slow Cook**  
+- Transfer onions and chicken to slow cooker. Add remaining broth, tomato paste, bay leaf, and pepper.  
+- **Cook on LOW 5-6 hrs** or **HIGH 3-4 hrs** until tender.  
+
+#### **4. Finish the Sauce**  
+- Remove chicken and bay leaf. Skim excess fat.  
+- Stir **sour cream** and **lemon juice** into the sauce. Adjust salt.  
+- Return chicken to sauce.  
+
+---
+
+### **Carb Options: Prep Guides**  
+
+#### **1. Nokedli (Hungarian Dumplings)**  
+- Mix **2 cups flour, 2 eggs, ½ tsp salt, and ½ cup water** into a thick batter.  
+- Press through a nokedli maker (or colander) into boiling water. Cook 2-3 mins until they float.  
+- Toss with butter.  
+
+#### **2. Buttered Egg Noodles**  
+- Boil **8 oz egg noodles** until al dente. Drain and toss with **2 tbsp butter** and parsley.  
+
+#### **3. Crusty Bread**  
+- Serve with **rye bread** or a baguette to mop up sauce.  
+
+#### **4. Mashed Potatoes**  
+- Boil **2 lbs potatoes** until tender. Mash with **½ cup warm milk, 3 tbsp butter**, and salt.  
+
+#### **5. Rice**  
+- Cook **1 cup white rice** with **2 cups water** (or broth) until fluffy.  
+
+#### **6. Spätzle**  
+- Make or buy pre-made spätzle. Pan-fry in butter until lightly crispy.  
+
+---
+
+### **Serving**  
+- Ladle chicken and sauce over your chosen carb.  
+- Garnish with **extra paprika** and **fresh parsley**.  
+
+**Pro Tip:** Leftovers taste even better the next day!  
+
+Would you like a **spicier version** with hot paprika? 😊