An easy and delicious Hungarian paprika sour cream pork chops recipe using traditional Hungarian sweet paprika... Essentially a pork paprikash, these juicy and tender skillet pork chops are smothered in a spicy & creamy sour cream sauce.

pork paprikash sour cream pork chops served over eggs noodles on a ceramic plate with a striped napkin

This recipe was created in partnership with the National Pork Board. Thanks for supporting me and the brands I love!

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Pork Paprikash Ingredients
The Spice House Hungarian Sweet Paprika
Which Pork Chop Cut To Use
Meat Thermometer For Pork Chops
How To Fry Pork Chops In A Skillet
Making Paprika Pork Chops
Tips For Best Results
What To Serve With Hungarian Pork Chops
Printable Recipe ↓
More Easy Pork Recipes

Pure comfort food - that's the only way to describe these sour cream pork chops! Inspired by my very popular Hungarian chicken paprikash recipe, this hearty cast iron skillet pork chops recipe features a similar spicy & creamy sauce that will have you scraping the plate to get every. last. drop.

Which in my book is absolutely reason enough to make this delicious pork chop recipe. But in case you need further justification...

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Juicy & tender skillet fried pork chops on your stovetop
Make the luscious sour cream sauce in the same pan
Weeknight simple when served over buttery egg noodles
As spicy or mild as you desire
Ready to serve in about 35 minutes!

These saucy paprika pork chops are one of those easy recipes that will bring the WHOLE family to the table...

hungarian pork chops ingredients including paprika sour cream and onions

Pork Paprikash Ingredients

This creamy pork chops recipe is basically a Hungarian pork paprikash recipe (Sertéspaprikás). However, my take on it uses whole pork loin chops instead of the traditional chunks of paprika pork. So I guess technically that makes it a pork chop paprikash recipe!

Additional Key Ingredients

🧈 Butter: While lard is the more traditional ingredient for Hungarian dishes, I'm firmly a butter girl. Real butter only, please - unless you have a dairy allergy, of course!
🧅 Onions and garlic: These alliums create a savory base for the creamy sauce. Yellow or white onions are both fine, but I would not recommend red onions in this recipe.
🌿 Bay leaves: This aromatic adds a subtle herbal depth of flavor. Be sure to remove them before serving!
🥘 Chicken stock: Along with the butter, stock adds a delicious richness to this dish.
🥛 Sour cream: Sour cream is a staple in Hungarian cooking and is essential to the paprikash sauce. For the most authentic flavor, choose a high quality full-fat option, like Daisy brand (my go-to)!
🧂 Hungarian sweet paprika: You must use a good quality imported Hungarian sweet paprika in this recipe. Seriously, NO SUBSTITUTIONS!! Supermarket brand do not compare - for the best quality and flavor order some online.

TOP PICK

The Spice House Hungarian Sweet Paprika

My favorite Hungarian sweet paprika comes from The Spice House. Its complex, bright, and bold profile takes my favorite Hungarian dishes to a whole new flavor-packed level. The difference is truly shocking!

($8.99, The Spice House)

buy now

Which Pork Chop Cut To Use

Did you know that pork chops are the most popular pork cut across all households worldwide? Well, aside from bacon, of course...

But it totally makes sense! As a mild-tasting protein, they're versatile enough to take on the flavors of just about any cuisine.

For this pork paprikash recipe, I chose regular cut boneless pork loin chops. But thicker boneless pork chops or bone-in sirloin chops could be used instead. Just be aware that you may need to adjust the cooking times stated in the recipe card slightly.

QUICK TIP

Meat Thermometer For Pork Chops

Pork chops are a very lean cut of meat, which makes it important to not overcook them. Overdone chops will be tough, dry, and chewy. The simplest way to prevent this? Check for doneness using a meat thermometer!

Cooking to the recommended internal temperature is the key to perfectly tender and juicy chops. The safe internal temperature for pork chops is 145℉, followed by a 3-minute rest before serving. Note that pork cooked to this temperature may still have a slight blush of pink to it. However, it's absolutely safe to eat.

digital instant read thermometer for pork chops

For accuracy and safety, a good digital thermometer is essential. This digital instant read digital meat thermometer is my kitchen MVP - actually, make that co-MVP along with this analog oven thermometer. I use both pretty much daily!

How To Fry Pork Chops In A Skillet

Before we get into the actual pork chops recipe, let's spend a minute talking about pan searing technique...

Achieving a good sear on a lean protein, like pork chops, can be a bit tricky. The challenge is in forming a deep crust on the outside while keeping the inside at or below the recommended 145℉ temp.

Never fear - cooking juicy, golden-brown pork loin chops in a skillet is within your reach. Grab your digital thermometer, and I'll explain the steps!

How To Cook Pork Chops In A Skillet

Heat your skillet on the stove over medium-high heat until very hot, about 3-5 minutes.
Add 2 tablespoons of a high-heat cooking oil. My preference is avocado oil.
Lay the pork chops in the hot pan in a single layer. Sear for 3-4 minutes without moving them to form a golden-brown crust.
Flip the chops over, and brown without moving them for an additional 3-4 minutes.*
Use a digital meat thermometer to check for doneness in the thickest part of the meat. Remove the chops to a plate when the internal temperature reads 135-140℉.
Rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. The magic of carryover heat will ensure that the pork chops internal temp reaches the safe zone while resting.

*For the purposes of this paprika pork recipe, we'll remove the chops from the pan at the completion of step 4. They will later be simmered in the chicken stock and aromatics until they reach the recommended temperature.

Stainless Steel vs. Cast Iron Skillets

Whether you're searing pork chops in a cast iron skillet or a stainless steel skillet has no bearing on the technique. The main thing to recognize is that cast iron's innate properties make it difficult to quickly reduce the heat, if necessary.

Just trust in the process - and the thermometer. After flipping, don't forget to check the chops' internal temp frequently to prevent overcooking!

paprika pork chops with sour cream sauce in cast iron skillet with a striped napkin

Making Paprika Pork Chops

This paprika pork chop recipe is quick and simple enough for a weeknight dinner, yet it tastes like you put a TON more effort into it! It all boils down to building layers of flavor.

Season the pork chops with salt and pepper. Then sear them for 3-4 minutes on both sides until golden brown. Remove the browned chops to a plate to rest.
Add the butter to the pan, and sauté the sliced onions until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for another minute. Pour stock into the skillet, and use a wooden spatula to scrape up any brown bits off the bottom.
Stir the bay leaf, paprika, and salt into the onion mixture, then place the pork chops back in the pan. Cover tightly, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 140℉.
Remove the pork chops to a plate again, and cover with aluminum foil. Remove the bay leaf from the remaining hot liquid. Whisk the flour and water together well, and pour them into the broth mixture. Heat the mixture to boiling, whisking constantly.
Allow the sauce to reduce and thicken. Remove the skillet from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Temper the sour cream, then stir it into the paprikash sauce mixture. Return the pork chops to the sour cream sauce.

Tips For Best Results

Don't Overcrowd The Pan: Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to sear the pork chops in 2 batches. They can be squeezed in together more tightly for the simmering portion of the recipe.
Temper The Sour Cream: To prevent curdling the sauce, allow the stock/drippings mixture to cool sufficiently before adding the sour cream. If you're a bit impatient (like me!), you can temper the sour cream by stirring some of the hot liquid into it. Then stir the warmed sour cream mixture into the stock liquid.
Spice It Up: Looking to add a little more heat to this dish? Try adding some Hungarian half-sharp paprika, along with the sweet paprika! But beware - it can pack quite a punch. My recommendation is to start with about ¼ teaspoon, then increase as desired.

pork paprikash with egg noodles on a white ceramic plate with a striped napkin

What To Serve With Hungarian Pork Chops

As with my chicken paprikash, the quick and easy weeknight way to serve these Hungarian pork chops with sour cream and onions is over buttered egg noodles.

But for a Sunday dinner or when I have a little extra time, I'd go for a side dish of fried cabbage and noodles and/or our family favorite mashed potatoes with cream cheese.

And I'd FOR SURE make my Grandma's cucumber salad with sour cream. Or if that's a little too much sour cream for you, this marinated cherry tomato and cucumber salad is also fabulous!

Mmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about this delicious meal... I hope these creamy pork chops become your family's new favorite recipe, too!

Printable Recipe ↓

paprika pork chops with sour cream sauce over egg noodles on a white plate

More Easy Pork Recipes

If you like this paprika pork recipe, you might also enjoy these other delicious pork recipes:

Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your pork chops turn out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!

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Comments

4.56 from 34 votes (26 ratings without comment)

Why You'll Love This Recipe