Sauce Pe Qua
Sauce Pe Qua is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken, smoked sausage, and vegetables in a savory tomato-based sauce, perfect for comforting family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 fryer, cut up ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cooking oil ⓘ
- 1/2 pound smoked sausage, cut into small pieces ⓘ
- 1 large onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons flour ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1/2 chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard ⓘ
- 1 can tomato paste ⓘ
- 6 or more cans water ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the chicken in cooking oil; remove and set aside.
- Add chopped onion, garlic, celery, and green pepper to the skillet and cook until slightly brown.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and cook briefly, then add prepared mustard, tomato paste, water, salt, and pepper.
- Return the browned chicken and smoked sausage to the skillet, stirring to combine.
- Simmer the mixture for about 1 hour, until flavors meld and chicken is tender.
- Serve hot over cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using smoked paprika or cayenne pepper in the sauce. You can substitute the smoked sausage with turkey sausage or omit it for a vegetarian version. If you want a thicker sauce, increase the flour to 3 tablespoons or add a cornstarch slurry towards the end of cooking. Fresh herbs like thyme or parsley can also enhance the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Sauce Pe Qua hot over a bed of fluffy cooked rice for a hearty meal. For a complete dinner, pair with a side salad or steamed vegetables. Cornbread or crusty bread works well to soak up the delicious sauce. This dish also pairs beautifully with Smoked Sausage Spanish Rice for a filling spread.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored 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 thickens too much. Alternatively, you can microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sauce Pe Qua contains roughly 800 calories, with 16g protein, 38g carbohydrates, and 67g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (155% of the Daily Value) and protein (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 840mg per serving (37% 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 chicken thighs instead of a whole fryer?
Yes, chicken thighs work excellently in this recipe. They are more flavorful and remain juicy during cooking. You can use skin-on or skinless thighs depending on your preference. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time if you use larger pieces.
Is it possible to make this dish in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! To adapt for a slow cooker, brown the chicken and vegetables first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. This method allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
What can I serve with Sauce Pe Qua?
Sauce Pe Qua is delicious served over rice, but you can also try it with mashed potatoes for a comforting twist. Adding a side of sautéed greens or a fresh salad will balance the richness of the dish. Consider serving with crusty bread to soak up 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).