Zesty Homemade Chicken Marinara Sauce

Zesty Homemade Chicken

Marinara Sauce

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This Chicken Parmesan Marinara is a tantalizing blend of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water, creating a luscious tomato base. Infused with the harmonious flavors of Italian seasoning, onion powder, and basil, it captures the essence of traditional Italian cuisine. The addition of Garlic Parmesan seasoning and minced garlic brings a delightful savory twist, while dried onion flakes add a subtle touch of sweetness and texture. Salt and pepper are used to season the sauce to perfection, resulting in a mouthwatering and well-balanced marinara that complements any dish, particularly Chicken Parmesan, with its delectable flavors. Great Marinara Sauce recipe for Pasta, Pizza, meatballs, Bread Stick Dipping or anything you want a Flavorful Marinara for. Enjoy!~

You Will Need

1 cans diced tomatoes (un-drained)
1 cans tomato paste
1 cups of water
3/4 tsp Zesty Italian Seasoning
1/2 TS Onion Powder
1/4 tsp Basil
2 tsp Garlic Parmesan Seasoning

1/2 TBSP Minced Garlic)
1/2 TBS Dried Onion Flakes
salt and pepper to taste

Makes 3 cups (recipe can be doubled)

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Marinara Sauce is a simple tomato sauce with very few ingredients. Generally tomatoes, aromatics (onion/garlic) and some seasonings. It is amazing on pasta, home made pizzas, served as a dipping sauce for garlic or cheese bread, Chicken Parmesan or use as a replacement for jarred sauces

Instant Pot- Directions

Turn on the Instant Pot and select the "Saute" function. Add a splash of olive oil to the pot and let it heat up.
Add the minced garlic and dried onion flakes to the pot and sauté for a minute until they become fragrant.
Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water into the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine.
Add the Italian seasoning, onion powder, basil, and Garlic Parmesan seasoning to the pot. Give it a good stir to evenly distribute the flavors.
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that you can always adjust the seasoning later, so it's better to start with less and add more if needed.
Cancel the "Saute" function and secure the lid on the Instant Pot, making sure the valve is set to the sealing position.
Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function and set the timer to 5 minutes at high pressure.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for about 5 minutes, and then do a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Carefully open the lid of the Instant Pot, and give the sauce a final stir. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.

The Chicken Marinara Sauce is now ready to serve over Chicken Parmesan or any other dish of your choice. Enjoy the flavorful and homemade sauce that's been effortlessly prepared in your Instant Pot!

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Stove Top- Directions

In a large saucepan or pot, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and dried onion flakes to the pot. Sauté them for a minute until they become fragrant.
Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water into the saucepan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Add the Italian seasoning, onion powder, basil, and Garlic Parmesan seasoning to the pot. Mix thoroughly to ensure the herbs and spices are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Start with a little and adjust according to your preference.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over low to medium-low heat. Let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use a blender or immersion blender to blend the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.
The Chicken Marinara Sauce is now ready to be used as a delicious topping for Chicken Parmesan or any other dish you desire.

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Crockpot- Directions

In the crockpot, combine the diced tomatoes (with the liquid), tomato paste, water, minced garlic, and dried onion flakes. Stir everything well to ensure even distribution.
Add the Italian seasoning, onion powder, basil, and Garlic Parmesan seasoning to the crockpot. Mix thoroughly to incorporate the herbs and spices into the sauce.
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Start with a little and adjust as needed.
Set the crockpot to low heat and cook the sauce for 4 to 6 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the flavors to develop and intensify.
During the cooking process, give the sauce an occasional stir to prevent sticking and to ensure even cooking.
After the cooking time is complete, taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings if necessary.
If you prefer a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it reaches your desired consistency.

The Chicken Marinara Sauce is now ready to be used as a delectable topping for Chicken Parmesan or any other dish you desire.

The crockpot method allows for hands-off cooking and results in a flavorful and hearty marinara sauce. Enjoy the convenience of this slow-cooked goodness that can be savored with your favorite dishes.

Tips to enhance and perfect the Chicken Marinara Sauce:

Quality Ingredients: Use good quality canned diced tomatoes and tomato paste to ensure a rich and authentic flavor in the sauce.
Fresh Herbs: If possible, use fresh herbs like basil and oregano instead of dried ones. Fresh herbs will add a burst of aromatic flavors to the sauce.
Adjust Seasonings: Taste the sauce as it simmers and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Add more Italian seasoning, garlic Parmesan seasoning, or any other herbs you prefer to suit your taste.
Sauté Aromatics: Saute the minced garlic and dried onion flakes in olive oil before adding other ingredients. This step brings out the flavors of the aromatics and enhances the overall taste of the sauce.
Simmer Slowly: Allow the sauce to simmer over low heat for at least 15-20 minutes. This slow cooking process helps the flavors to meld and intensify.
Smooth Texture: If you prefer a smoother sauce, use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a regular blender (after it cools slightly) to achieve a smoother consistency.
Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce if you enjoy a spicy kick in your marinara sauce.
Storage: This sauce can be made in a larger batch and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen for longer-term storage. Simply reheat it when ready to use.
Versatility: This marinara sauce can be used beyond Chicken Parmesan. It makes a great pasta sauce or dipping sauce for breadsticks.
Experiment: Feel free to experiment and personalize the sauce to your taste. You can add other ingredients like a splash of red wine, a dash of balsamic vinegar, or some grated Parmesan cheese for added depth and complexity.

By following these tips and adjusting the recipe to your liking, you can create a truly delicious and versatile Chicken Marinara Sauce that will elevate any Italian-inspired dish. Enjoy!