For a taste of Southern comfort with a little spice, Chicken Sauce Piquant is the perfect dish. This hearty and flavorful stew features tender chicken simmered in a rich, tangy tomato-based sauce, flavored with Cajun spices, onions, bell peppers, and garlic. With just the right balance of heat and depth of flavor, this dish is a wonderful choice for a cozy dinner. Serve it with rice or a slice of crusty bread, and you’ll have a meal that’s sure to satisfy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion – The tangy tomato sauce and bold spices create a rich and zesty flavor profile.
Tender Chicken – Simmering the chicken in the sauce makes it incredibly juicy and flavorful.
Fresh Vegetables – Onions, bell peppers, and garlic add texture and freshness.
Perfect Pairing – Serve with rice or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Balanced & Satisfying – Packed with protein and vegetables, it’s a fulfilling meal without the heaviness.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
- Cooked rice or crusty bread (for serving)
Instructions
Sear the Chicken
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, add the chopped onion and bell peppers. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Build the Sauce
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Simmer the Chicken
Add the chicken back into the pot along with the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
Serve
Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly, serve the chicken sauce piquant over rice or with a slice of crusty bread. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 275
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 8g
Tips for Success
- Adjust the Spice Level: Increase or decrease the cayenne pepper depending on your preferred heat level.
- Use Bone-In Chicken: For even more flavor, try using bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks.
- Serve with Sides: Pair with steamed rice, quinoa, or a light salad to round out the meal.
- Add Extra Veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables, like celery or okra, for additional texture and flavor.
Why This Recipe Works
Chicken Sauce Piquant is a dish that brings together bold flavors in a way that’s both comforting and exciting. The chicken absorbs the tangy, spiced tomato sauce, making each bite flavorful and satisfying. By using lean chicken and fresh vegetables, this recipe keeps things light without compromising on taste, making it perfect for a hearty, healthy meal.
This Chicken Sauce Piquant offers a warm, flavorful experience that’s perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions. With tender chicken, a bold, spiced sauce, and fresh veggies, it’s a dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. Serve it over rice or with a slice of crusty bread, and enjoy the comforting, rich flavors of this Southern classic!
One-Pot Chicken Sauce Piquant – Full of Flavor, Easy to Make
4
servings10
minutes35
minutes275
kcalThis Chicken Sauce Piquant is a bold and flavorful Southern dish that features tender chicken simmered in a tangy, spiced tomato sauce with a mix of fresh vegetables. With a base of onions, bell peppers, and garlic, and seasoned with Cajun spices, this dish delivers all the rich, hearty flavors you love, served with rice or crusty bread for a complete meal. Perfect for a cozy dinner, it’s both satisfying and lighter than traditional recipes.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
½ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Cooked rice or crusty bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. - Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pot, add the chopped onion and bell peppers. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. - Build the Sauce
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to combine. - Simmer the Chicken
Add the chicken back into the pot along with the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. - Serve
Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly, serve the chicken sauce piquant over rice or with a slice of crusty bread. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Adjust the Spice Level: Increase or decrease the cayenne pepper depending on your preferred heat level.
Use Bone-In Chicken: For even more flavor, try using bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks.
Serve with Sides: Pair with steamed rice, quinoa, or a light salad to round out the meal.
Add Extra Veggies: Feel free to add more vegetables, like celery or okra, for additional texture and flavor.