Chicken Sauce Picante
A flavorful spicy chicken dish with rich tomato and vegetable sauce, perfect for those who enjoy bold flavors and hearty meals over rice.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut up the chicken into pieces.
- Cook all vegetables in oil until tender.
- Put all vegetables and chicken into a heavy pot.
- Add water and cook until the chicken is done.
- Add half of the lemon juice to the mixture.
- Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
- Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pot and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Add water as needed during cooking to maintain desired consistency.
- Serve the sauce over rice.
- Optional: debone the chicken before serving.
- Note: This dish is usually hot with red pepper.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider marinating the chicken in lemon juice and spices for a few hours before cooking. If you don't have fresh mushrooms, canned mushrooms work as a substitute. For a vegan version, replace chicken with tofu or chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead of water. Adjust the level of red pepper to suit your heat preference.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Chicken Sauce Picante over fluffy rice for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of Fresh Homemade (Texan) Salsa for an extra kick of flavor. You can also serve it with warm tortillas or a fresh salad to balance the dish. Garnish with additional chopped parsley for a pop of color.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. Alternatively, you can microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Sauce Picante contains roughly 917 calories, with 8g protein, 168g carbohydrates, and 23g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (175% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (62% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1349mg per serving (59% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but make sure to thaw it completely before cooking to ensure even cooking. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to account for the initial chill.
How can I make this dish less spicy?
To reduce the spiciness, simply decrease the amount of red pepper used in the recipe. Alternatively, you can add a dollop of sour cream or yogurt when serving, which helps to mellow the heat.
What sides go well with Chicken Sauce Picante?
This dish pairs well with a variety of sides, such as steamed vegetables or a light salad. You can also serve it with cornbread or tortilla chips for a heartier meal, complementing the flavors of the sauce.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).