Hungarian Chicken Paprikash II

I use to work with a man, Frank, maybe 15-20 years older then me, who was a widower with two girls around my age.  When I transferred to his department, he took me under his wing, befriended me and trained me for my new position as an Inventory Planner.  Dear Uncle Frank's mother was Hungarian and passed her Chicken Paprikash recipe on to her family.  Frank shared her recipe with me and some how I lost it. I  recently found this recipe and with a couple alterations it is much like Frank's treasured recipe.  Frank retired from the Navy and started working at Telex Computer Products* some years before me.  One of my fond memories of him - He had dentures which caused a bit of a whistle when he talked in that Boston accent of his.  I loved hearing him talk!  I think of him and rest of my Telex family when I make this recipe.  Pardon the photo.  I was too hungry to take the macro lens off.

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash II

1)  First, boil salted water.  Add egg noodles and cook until al dente. Drain when done.

2)  Fry 3 strips of bacon, crumble when nice and crispy, use the drippings to cook the following:
2 C chopped onion (2 onions)
Crumbled bacon
3-5 cloves garlic, depending on their size, mince
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne powder
3 Tbsp paprika (sweet)
Cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Stirring.

3)  Add 3 chicken breasts and 1 C of pasta water and bring to a simmer.  Cook covered, over medium-low heat 10 minutes.  Turn chicken over and cook, covered, 5 minutes more.  Transfer chicken when cooked through to a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm.

4)  Add 1 14.5  oz can petite diced tomatoes, drained, juice reserved.  Stir tomatoes into skillet mixture.

5)  In a bowl whisk together reserved tomato juices and following ingredients:
2 Tbsp corn starch
1 8 oz container lite sour cream
then gradually add to skillet, whisking constantly. Simmer, whisking, until mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.

6)  Add drained noodles.  And slice chicken breasts and add to pasta mixture.  Stir to combine.  Let heat for about 5 minutes or so, until all are heated. Serve with side vegetable.

Last night I served it with sweet early peas but it is best with steamed broccoli.

Enjoy your day!

*  Telex is one of the companies Roger Wheeler owned when Whitey Bulger had him murdered (1981) .  Some of the story was in the movie Black Mass.  Who knew, my work life would become "6 degrees" from Whitey Bulger, a member of the Winter Hill Gang.   One decision, can snowball, affecting so many people, you don't even imagine it would.  (Talking about Wheeler's purchase of World Jai Alai.)