RecipesHungaryHortobágyi Palacsinta

Hortobágyi Palacsinta

Savory Hungarian crepes filled with a rich, paprika-spiced meat stew, often made with chicken or veal, and topped with a dollop of sour cream.

Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyMedium
Hortobágyi Palacsinta - Hungary traditional dish

🧂 Ingredients

  • 500 g Chicken breast or veal(cut into small cubes)
  • 2 medium Onions(finely chopped)
  • 2 tbsp Sweet paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Hot paprika(optional, to taste)
  • 1 medium Tomatoes(peeled and chopped)
  • 1 medium Green bell pepper(chopped)
  • 1 tbsp Flour
  • 250 ml Chicken broth
  • 200 g Sour cream(for filling and topping)
  • 2 large Eggs(for crepes)
  • 300 ml Milk(for crepes)
  • 150 g All-purpose flour(for crepes)
  • to taste Salt
  • for frying Vegetable oil or lard

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare the crepes: Whisk together eggs, milk, flour, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Let rest for 15 minutes. Heat a lightly oiled crepe pan or skillet and pour in about 1/4 cup of batter, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter.

    ⏱️ 20 minutes
  2. 2

    For the filling: Heat oil or lard in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

    ⏱️ 7 minutes
  3. 3

    Add the cubed meat and brown it on all sides. Stir in sweet and hot paprika, chopped tomatoes, and green bell pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes.

    ⏱️ 5 minutes
  4. 4

    Sprinkle the tablespoon of flour over the meat mixture and stir well. Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the meat is tender.

    ⏱️ 30 minutes
  5. 5

    Stir in half of the sour cream into the meat mixture. Season with salt to taste.

  6. 6

    Assemble the Hortobágyi Palacsinta: Lay a crepe flat. Spoon a generous amount of the meat filling onto one half of the crepe. Fold the other half over to create a half-moon shape, or roll it up.

  7. 7

    Arrange the filled crepes in a baking dish. Top with the remaining sour cream and optionally bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes until heated through and the sour cream is slightly golden.

    ⏱️ 15 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

  • Use good quality Hungarian sweet paprika for the best flavor.
  • Don't overcook the crepes; they should be pliable.
  • Adjust the amount of hot paprika to your spice preference.
  • The filling should be moist but not watery.

🔄 Variations

  • Use pork or a mix of meats for the filling.
  • Add a pinch of caraway seeds to the filling for an extra layer of flavor.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley or dill.

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