Chicken is a versatile protein that can be prepared in endless ways. One easy method to add flavor and moisture to chicken is to use a premade simmer sauce. Simmer sauces are concentrated sauce bases that are designed to be mixed with a protein and vegetable medley and then simmered together until the sauce reduces and soaks into the food. Using a simmer sauce is an easy weeknight hack to make chicken extra delicious with little effort. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about how to use simmer sauces with chicken.
What is a Simmer Sauce?
A simmer sauce is a prepared sauce that is concentrated into a thick paste or liquid. To use a simmer sauce, you simply add it to chicken, vegetables, and a cooking liquid like broth or wine in a pan. Then, you simmer the mixture until the sauce breaks down and integrally flavors the dish.
Simmer sauces are sold on the condiment aisle at the grocery store. They come in a variety of flavor profiles like marsala, Italian herb, teriyaki, salsa, etc. Brands like McCormick, Campbell’s, and Bertolli make simmer sauce mixes. The simmer sauces come in jars, packets, or pouches. They have a thick consistency and strong flavors since they are designed to cook down.
Benefits of Simmer Sauces
There are several benefits to using a premade simmer sauce rather than making a sauce from scratch:
– Convenience – Simmer sauces eliminate lengthy prep time. Just open, pour, and simmer.
– Consistent flavor – Premixed simmer sauces deliver balanced, reliable flavors.
– Shortened cook time – The concentrated sauce cuts down on simmering time.
– Easy cleanup – No need to wash multiple prep bowls and tools.
– Beginner friendly – Great option for novice cooks who want restaurant quality results.
– Customizable – Can tweak simmer sauces to preference by adding extra ingredients.
Choosing a Simmer Sauce
With so many simmer sauce options on the market, it can be difficult to choose one. Here are some tips for picking the right simmer sauce for chicken:
Consider the flavor profile
Think about what cuisine you want the dish to resemble. Options like marsala, Italian herb, salsa, teriyaki, etc. will give your chicken distinct flavor directions. You can also find wine-based, cream-based, tangy, and spicy varieties.
Factor in prep time
Some simmer sauces come pre-mixed in a pouch that you just add to the pan. Others are concentrated pastes in a jar that need to be blended with liquid. If you want maximum convenience, choose a pre-mixed version.
Mind portion sizes
Simmer sauces are sold in different volumes. Make sure to get one large enough for the quantity of chicken you plan to make. Smaller sauces work for quick weeknight meals, while larger sizes are better for meal prepping.
Read the ingredients
Check that the simmer sauce does not contain any flavors or foods you want to avoid. Things like MSG, excessive sodium, allergens, etc. may factor into your choice.
Consider dietary needs
Look for low fat, low sugar, gluten free, vegan, etc. options if needed. Many simmer sauce brands now cater to specialized diets.
How to Use Simmer Sauce with Chicken
Here is a simple step-by-step guide to using simmer sauce with chicken:
Choose your chicken
Simmer sauce works well with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thighs, tenderloins, etc. Pick whatever chicken pieces your recipe calls for. You can use raw or already cooked chicken.
Prep the chicken
If using raw chicken, trim off any excess fat or connective tissue. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces if needed. Pat dry with paper towels. If reheating already cooked chicken, simply slice or cube it.
Select your vegetables
Choose veggies that complement the flavor profile of your simmer sauce. Onions, peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, etc. pair well with most sauces. Chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
Add cooking liquid
Pour 1/2 – 1 cup of broth, wine, water, or milk into the pan depending on the simmer sauce instructions. The liquid helps thin out the sauce.
Mix in the simmer sauce
Add the desired amount of simmer sauce to the pan according to recipe specifications. Whisk the sauce together with the cooking liquid.
Bring mixture to a simmer
Heat the pan over medium high heat. Once the sauce starts bubbling gently, reduce heat to medium or medium low to maintain the simmer.
Simmer until thickened
Let the sauce cook down, stirring periodically, for 5-15 minutes until the liquid reduces by half and the sauce thickens and sticks to the chicken and vegetables.
Adjust seasonings
Taste the sauce and add any extra salt, pepper, spices, or acidity to brighten up the flavors. Simmer for 2-3 more minutes to meld flavors.
Serve chicken and sauce
Plate the chicken and vegetables. Spoon the thickened simmer sauce over everything or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with parsley, lime wedges, etc if desired. Enjoy!
Tips for Using Simmer Sauce
Follow these tips to get the most flavor and mileage out of your simmer sauce:
– Stir the simmer sauce frequently to prevent burning on the pan bottom.
– If the sauce gets too thick before the chicken is cooked, splash in extra wine or broth.
– Let the sauce reduce until it coats the back of a spoon to get the ideal rich consistency.
– Mix and match different simmer sauce flavors to invent your own fusion recipes.
– Freeze any leftover simmer sauce in an ice cube tray for easy use later on.
– Whisk a bit of cornstarch or flour into the simmer sauce for an extra thick, clingy texture.
– Cook the chicken first until nearly done, then add the simmer sauce to coat and glaze the meat.
– Use simmer sauces to quickly marinate proteins like chicken, beef, shrimp or tofu.
Substitutions for Simmer Sauce
If you don’t have a premade simmer sauce on hand, you can mimic the flavor at home with a few simple ingredients:
Jarred Pasta Sauce
Thin out a jar of your favorite pasta sauce with some wine or broth. Simmer with chicken to make a quick balsamic chicken or marsala chicken.
Barbecue Sauce
Combine barbecue sauce with chicken stock, vinegar, and spices for pulled chicken sandwiches or wings.
Canned Soup
Heat cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, or cream of celery soup with white wine and use as a simmer sauce.
Salad Dressing
Jazz up bottled Italian, balsamic vinaigrette, or Asian salad dressing by thinning it with chicken broth or coconut milk to use as a sauce.
Teriyaki Marinade
Blend soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and rice wine vinegar for a homemade teriyaki chicken.
Salsa
Puree jarred salsa with canned tomatoes and cumin for a Mexi-Cali chicken skillet sauce.
Top Simmer Sauce Recipes
Here are some irresistible recipes for using simmer sauce with chicken:
Easy Italian Chicken Skillet
Ingredients:
– 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
– 1 jar (24 oz) Bertolli Italian herb simmer sauce
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
– 8 oz sliced mushrooms
– 1 cup frozen peas
Instructions:
1. In a skillet, combine chicken, simmer sauce, broth, potatoes, and mushrooms.
2. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
3. Stir in peas and cook 5 more minutes until heated through.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Ingredients:
– 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
– 1 packet McCormick Tuscan simmer sauce
– 1⁄2 cup white wine
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 2 cups baby spinach
– Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions:
1. Cook chicken in a skillet with garlic 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
2. Add wine and simmer sauce to skillet. Whisk in heavy cream and cook 5 minutes.
3. Return chicken to skillet and top with spinach. Simmer until spinach wilts.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over top before serving.
Thai Peanut Chicken
Ingredients:
– 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
– 1 cup Campbell’s Thai coconut curry simmer sauce
– 1⁄4 cup smooth peanut butter
– 1 red bell pepper, sliced
– 4 oz rice noodles, prepared
– 1⁄4 cup chopped peanuts for garnish
Instructions:
1. Cook chicken in a skillet until browned and cooked through.
2. Add simmer sauce, peanut butter, and bell pepper to skillet.
3. Once sauce bubbles, stir in cooked rice noodles.
4. Remove from heat and garnish with peanuts.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Get the most out of your simmer sauced chicken with these storage and reheating suggestions:
– Let chicken cool completely before transferring to airtight containers.
– Refrigerate sauced chicken up to 3-4 days. Freeze for longer storage.
– The simmer sauce may thicken when chilled. Loosen it with broth or water before reheating if needed.
– Reheat chicken gently over medium low heat on the stovetop or at 50% power in the microwave.
– Add extra sauce ingredients like wine, tomatoes, or cream when reheating to boost moisture and flavor.
– Stir frequently and add liquid to prevent the sauce from drying out when reheating.
– For crispy chicken skin, reheat in a 400°F oven until piping hot and skin is crispy.
– Let chicken sit 3-5 minutes after reheating so the temperature equalizes and flavors blend.
Serving Suggestions
Jazz up your simmer sauced chicken with any of these serving ideas:
– Serve over rice, quinoa, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce.
– Pair with simply steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, asparagus, or green beans.
– Toss your favorite salad greens with diced chicken and a drizzle of the simmer sauce.
– Stuff chicken mixture into a pita, wrap, or sandwich bun for an easy handheld meal.
– Top chicken with avocado slices, shredded cheese, bacon bits, diced tomatoes or sliced almonds.
– Make simmer sauce extra saucy by adding a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream.
– Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil, or green onion.
– Enjoy simmer sauced chicken straight from the skillet for a rustic, comforting dish.
FAQs
Get answers to some common questions about simmer sauces with chicken:
Can I use raw chicken with a simmer sauce?
Yes, you can start with raw chicken pieces and cook them directly in the simmer sauce mixture. Just be sure to cook the chicken until 165°F internal temperature.
Do I have to cook low and slow with a simmer sauce?
Not necessarily. Quick cooking over medium high heat works too – just watch closely and stir often so the sauce doesn’t burn.
What liquids work well for deglazing and thinning simmer sauces?
Wine, broth, milk, juice, water, and even beer can all be used to deglaze the pan and thin out thicker simmer sauces.
Is there a substitution for wine in simmer sauces?
You can substitute wine with equal parts chicken or vegetable broth. Non-alcoholic wine or white grape juice diluted with water also works.
Can I use the entire jar of simmer sauce for 1 pound of chicken?
It depends on the jar size, but generally a 12-16oz jar is enough for 1-1.5 lbs of chicken. Add extra broth as needed.
Can I prepare simmer sauce chicken in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Just cook on low heat for 4-6 hours until chicken is fall-apart tender in the thickened sauce.
Is it necessary to serve simmer sauce chicken over rice or pasta?
Not required, but starch soaks up the sauce nicely. Cauliflower rice or mashed potatoes also pair well.
Conclusion
Simmer sauces offer an easy shortcut to flavorful homemade meals with chicken. With so many sauce options, you can put a unique spin on chicken any night of the week. Simply prep the chicken, pick a sauce, add vegetables, and simmer away. The sauce does all the complex seasoning for you so dinner is fuss-free. With the tips in this article, you are ready to become a pro at using simmer sauces to make irresistible chicken entrees for the whole family to enjoy.