### **Ultimate Chicken Paprikash**  
**Serves 4 | Rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful**  

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### **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  

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### **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.  

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### **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.  

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### **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? 😊