Both teams had been thumped 5-0 on the opening day last weekend, and set out not to endure a repeat on Saturday afternoon.
The Canaries will feel they could have recorded a first win under Hughton after taking the lead on 11 minutes through Simeon Jackson.
However, the home side's momentum was halted in its tracks on 20 minutes when referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the penalty spot after debutant Sebastien Bassong tackled Djibril Cisse from behind, the QPR striker collapsing to the floor.
John Ruddy pushed Cisse's lacklustre effort onto the post, but Bobby Zamora was first to the rebound, slotting into the far corner.
Replays, however, showed the former England striker was one of several players encroaching as the ball was struck.
Hughton said: "I am really disappointed for the players because we had a really good reaction from last week.
"It was a game we should have won, we had the better chances and threatened more, and it was a really soft penalty which denied us the opportunity.
"It was a real disappointment having scored so early and having all the momentum, then conceding where you feel it was a little unjust, on two counts.
"Apart from the soft penalty, when it is taken, Bobby Zamora is at least three yards in the box when the ball is struck, and also on the same side as the referee.
"He has a tough job, to make a split second decision as it occurs, and you either get it right or wrong."
Norwich had the better of the second-half chances, with Robert Snodgrass heading over and Russell Martin hitting the crossbar, but could not find another goal.
"It took courage to come back from that," said Hughton, who also brought in left-back Javier Garrido after his international clearance on a loan move from Lazio came through.
"We needed a performance here and I thought we got a real committed one from the team, but we just needed to be more clinical in the final third."
QPR boss Mark Hughes, meanwhile, was happy enough with a share of the points.
He said: "We had a poor start last weekend, so it was important we got something out of this game.
"I think that is the first away point I have been able to accrue since being manager, so that is a bonus and something to build on.
"It was a game of few chances, but on occasions we just lacked the right ball at the right time and did just not quite give the service to Cisse which he thrives on.
"At the end, they asked some questions of us, but we were able to deal with it."
Hughes saw little unjust with the penalty decision.
The QPR manager added: "There is contact, and if you make contact in the box, then there is the potential to give away penalties.
"His trailing leg has clipped Cisse as he was trying to get onto the ball, so by the letter of the law it is a penalty.
"I am sure Chris will feel a little aggrieved by it, but there was contact made."
Hughes added: "There was about seven players in their [encroaching], including Norwich players, so I think the referee just let it go.
"If he had blown up, we would have had to take it again anyway."
Zamora had to leave the field for treatment to a head wound in the second half. Hughes said: "Bobby has a nasty gash, a real gapping wound so is a doubt for the [Capital One] cup game on Tuesday and also probably next weekend."
