Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Tomato and Bell Pepper Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breast pieces sautéed and simmered in a vibrant tomato and bell pepper sauce infused with warm spices. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken breast, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb chicken breast cubes and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 diced medium red bell pepper to the skillet; sauté for 3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the bell pepper softens.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Tomato and Bell Pepper Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Tomato and Bell Pepper Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Tomato and Bell Pepper Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Tomato and Bell Pepper Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Sautéed Chicken with Spiced Tomato and Bell Pepper Sauce gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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