7 Classic Side Dishes To Complement Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

This rustic stew is a meal in and of itself.

However, you totally can make your chicken paprikash more flavorful and tastier by pairing it with other classic side dishes that are widely known in this cuisine.

So read on to find out what makes the best accompaniment for Hungarian chicken paprikash.

What is chicken paprikash?

Chicken paprikash is a traditional Hungarian dish of chicken cooked in a rich sauce of paprika, sour cream, and tomatoes.

It is a popular choice for dinner parties, family gatherings, and casual meals.

The word “paprikash” comes from the spicy, fruity seasoning paprika, which is frequently used in Hungarian cooking.

While there are many variations on the basic recipe, it generally includes chicken stewed in a creamy tomato-based sauce flavored with paprika, with added vegetables as desired.

The dish tastes best when hot or warm.

It has a beautiful orange color and a thick but not too heavy consistency, making it great to serve with a starchy side dish.

7 best side dishes to serve with Hungarian chicken paprikash

Here are what Hungarians usually eat with their chicken paprikash either at home or in restaurants:

Nokedli (spaetzle)

Nokedli (spaetzle) is a dish that’s a must-have with Hungarian chicken paprikash.

It’s basically very small dumplings made of flour, egg, and milk, which are then boiled and tossed in butter until they’re golden brown.

You can find them in the frozen food section of your grocery store or at any restaurant that serves Hungarian cuisine.

It’s very easy to make spaetzles at home too.

So if you want to bring a little Hungary to your kitchen, why not serve this combo on the table and impress your family?

Rice Pilaf

Rice pilaf is a rice dish made with rice, onions, and other ingredients like garlic, butter, or vegetable oil.

The dish can be served as a side dish or as a main dish. It is often paired with chicken or fish dishes, including chicken paprikash.

Rice pilaf may also be served with vegetables such as carrots and cauliflower.

Any variety of long grain rice may be used to make this recipe; however, it is important that you cook the rice in water so that each grain remains separate instead of becoming mushy like risotto does when cooked in broth.

This will result in fluffy grains which will retain their shape after being mixed together with the other ingredients for serving later on down the line at home tonight!

A small bowl of rice pilaf can keep you full while also helping absorb all the deliciousness from the chicken paprika sauce.

Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a great side dish for chicken paprikash.

They are a classic in American cuisine as well as in many other Western cuisines, so you can’t go wrong.

Mashed potatoes are made from potatoes, and they provide a good source of potassium, vitamin C, and fiber.

Mashed potatoes are also great because they are easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time; just keep them warm until serving for the best result.

Cheesy bread

Cheese bread is a great accompaniment to Hungarian chicken paprikash too.

It’s made with cheddar cheese and is a good way to use up leftover bread.

Cheesy bread is easy to make, and it makes for excellent party food.

You can opt for soft bread like white bread or some slices of baguette for extra crunchiness.

Egg noodles

If you’re looking for a quick, easy side dish that can feed a large group of people and goes well with chicken paprikash, egg noodles are the way to go.

This is especially true if you’re not feeling like making noodles from scratch.

It’s difficult to get the texture of homemade noodles right, but store-bought ones are great in a pinch.

Egg noodles also have an extra something special that makes them perfect for serving alongside this hearty Hungarian dish: they soak up all those delicious flavors!

Roasted green beans

Vegetables cannot be missed either.

Roasted green beans are a great side dish for chicken paprikash.

Not only do they have an amazing flavor, but they’re also a good source of vitamins A and K, fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, and more.

The mildly sweet flavor of green beans will balance the rich taste of the main course, making your meal more palatable and appetizing.

Green salad

For a green salad, you’ll want a combination of lettuce, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, or any type of leafy greens that you like.

For the dressing: balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt/pepper are optimal.

Optional ingredients include feta cheese or olives if you have them on hand (and if so I recommend adding them to the chicken paprikash as well).

Walnuts and bacon bits (or hard-boiled egg) can also be added to the salad before serving, you won’t regret it!

You can also substitute ranch dressing instead of a balsamic dressing, but I prefer the latter because it’s lighter on both calories and fat.

Conclusion

So, if you’re looking for a hearty dish that’s not just comforting but also healthy, we have several suggestions for side dishes to go with your Hungarian chicken paprikash.

Some of these options are traditional recipes and others are modern twists on classic dishes.

But they have been all tried and true by either local people or foreigners.

We hope you enjoyed reading this post as much as we did writing it!