How to Cook Chicken in a Simmer Sauce to Perfection

Do you feel like you eat the same meals over and over again? Are you looking to add variety to your food in a way that doesn’t require a culinary arts education and several hours of preparation to achieve? Give simmer sauces a try.

Simmer sauces are made with delicious ingredients needed to add flavor to vegetables, meat, and more. You can add variety to your family’s menu without spending a lot of money or time making a simmer sauce. You can use the same healthy ingredients to make a flavorful sauce from scratch, which will save you time and make your food taste better.

Cooking chicken in a simmer sauce is a fantastic way to infuse flavor and moisture into chicken dishes. With the right techniques, you can achieve restaurant-quality chicken simmered in a luscious flavorful sauce. In this article we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook chicken in a simmer sauce flawlessly.

What is a Simmer Sauce?

Sizzling proteins like chicken, meat, seafood, or vegetables in a simmer sauce for a long time brings out the full flavor of the food. Simmer sauces that are already made come in jars and are made by mixing spices, herbs, tomatoes, cream, and other things together to make complex flavors.

Indian-style sauces like tikka masala, butter chicken, and coconut curry are very popular, as are Asian-style sauces like teriyaki, orange chicken, and sesame stir fry sauce. On the other hand, you can find simmer sauces for American classics like BBQ chicken and coq au vin and many more.

Benefits of Cooking Chicken in Simmer Sauces

Cooking chicken in a simmer sauce that was already made has a number of benefits over making a sauce from scratch:

Convenience: Simmer sauces provide quick and easy flavor with minimal prep work required. Just open the jar, simmer the chicken and you have an incredible meal in minutes.
Consistency Pre-made sauces deliver reliable consistent flavor batch after batch. You don’t have to worry about sauce variations when making it yourself.
Complexity of flavor: The spices, herbs and ingredients in simmer sauces are perfectly balanced to create depth of flavor.
Moisture: The sauce keeps the chicken deliciously moist and tender during cooking.
Minimal cleanup: With just one pot to clean, simmer sauces are low mess and easy cleanup.

Tips for Choosing a Simmer Sauce

With so many simmer sauces on the market, keep these tips in mind when selecting one for your chicken:

Check the ingredients. Look for sauces that have mostly natural, easy-to-recognize ingredients and not many artificial or preservative ones.
Consider the flavor profile: Select a sauce that will complement the seasoning and preparation method for your chicken.
Read reviews: Check reviews to evaluate the flavor quality and performance of different sauce brands.
Sample if possible: Taste testing sauces can help you find one aligned with your flavor preferences.

Once you’ve selected a high-quality simmer sauce, you’re ready to start cooking for flavorful, fool-proof chicken.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Chicken in Simmer Sauce

Follow these simple steps for simmer sauce success:

1. Prepare the Chicken

For the most flavor, marinate the chicken first. Yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger and spices make excellent marinades.
Pat chicken dry before cooking to maximize browning.
Coat the chicken in flour or cornstarch for a light crispiness (optional).
Pre-cook the chicken by sautéing, baking or grilling until nearly done. Pre-cooking helps the sauce permeate the chicken.

2. Cook Aromatic Vegetables

Sauté onion, garlic, ginger or other aromatics in oil to build a flavor base.

3. Simmer the Sauce

Heat the sauce in a skillet or saucepan until simmering.
Add the pre-cooked chicken and any vegetables or tomatoes.
Let simmer for 15-25 minutes so the chicken absorbs the sauce.
Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

4. Finish and Serve

Stir in cream or coconut milk for a richer, creamier sauce.
Add fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for brightness.
Check seasoning and add salt, pepper or spices as desired.
Garnish with herbs or toasted nuts.
Serve over rice, quinoa or with fresh naan or pita bread.

Simmer Sauce Cooking Tips

Follow these tips for best results when cooking chicken in simmer sauces:

Maintain the sauce at a gentle simmer between 180°F-190°F.
Use a heavy bottomed pan to prevent scorching.
Don’t overcrowd the pan, or chicken will steam vs. browning.
Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving for juicier meat.
Add liquid like broth if the sauce gets too thick.
For safety, chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of these common simmer sauce pitfalls:

Undercooking chicken – Always cook chicken to 165°F internal temperature.
Overcooking chicken – Don’t simmer too long or chicken dries out.
Burning the sauce – Use medium-low heat and stir frequently.
Watery sauce – Simmer uncovered to reduce liquid.
Sauce lacks flavor – Boost with extra herbs, spices, aromatics.
Bland chicken – Marinate first and use thighs or legs for richer flavor.

With the right techniques, you can create amazing simmer sauces dishes loaded with flavor, perfect texture and delicious aromas. Experiment with different sauce varieties and cuts of chicken until you find your favorite combinations. Happy simmering!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Chicken in Simmer Sauces

How long should I simmer chicken in sauce?

For bone-in chicken, simmer 20-40 minutes. Boneless breasts take 15-25 minutes and tenders just 10-15 minutes. Simmer just until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.

Can I use frozen chicken in simmer sauces?

Yes, but thaw it first in the refrigerator. Cooking time may need to be increased by 50% for frozen chicken. Check internal temp with a meat thermometer.

What are good side dishes with simmered chicken?

Rice, couscous, quinoa, pasta and naan or pita bread are all excellent pairings. Roasted veggies also complement simmered chicken well.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

Simmer uncovered to reduce liquid. You can also stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water at the end to thicken.

Can I use simmer sauces in a slow cooker?

Absolutely. Cook chicken and sauce on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours until chicken is tender. Stir occasionally.

How should I reheat leftover simmered chicken?

Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave until 165°F internal temperature. Add a little liquid to prevent drying out.

With the techniques in this guide, you’ll be able to execute perfect simmer sauces every time. Just remember to start with quality ingredients, monitor cooking times and temperatures and adjust to your taste preferences. Happy simmering!

how do you cook chicken is a simmer sauce

Can You Use Simmer Sauce in a Slow Cooker?

Yes, people often use simmer sauces in slow cookers. However, you will need to add more water to the sauce so that it doesn’t get too thick while the food is cooking. Water should be added at the beginning of the cooking process and additional water can be added while your meal cooks if you notice that the sauce is thickening too much.

How to Use Simmer Sauce

Simmering is a cooking method that cooks food at a slower rate through the higher temperature of the liquid that surrounds it. It’s a way to bring out more of the flavor of the food while avoiding overcooking it. When the temperature is simmering, the liquids bubble but don’t boil. It’s often the cooking method of choice for tougher cuts of meat or thick vegetables.

Because simmer sauces are already made, all you have to do is add the meat, vegetables, tofu, chicken, seafood, or vegetable of your choice. It is often preferable to cook the meat and vegetables separate from the simmer sauce at high heat first. Then add the sauce, cover, and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes and using the time you saved in preparation to make a salad or even catch up on social media.