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–+ servings
Brown Cut Up Chicken
Brown Cut Up Chicken is a comforting mid-century American home-cooked meal that combines simple pantry staples into a hearty one-pot dinner. Featuring browned chicken simmered in tomato paste, spaghetti sauce mix, onions, and canned mushrooms, this dish represents the thrifty ingenuity of postwar American cooking, delicious meals from humble ingredients. It’s a warm, savory blend of tender chicken and tangy tomato sauce, ideal for serving over rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes. The rich, slow-cooked flavor makes it a weeknight classic that feels nostalgic yet timeless.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 360 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs, cut into pieces)
  • 2 tbsp liquid shortening (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 1 env spaghetti sauce mix
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 4 oz mushrooms (drained)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Brown the Chicken

  • Heat liquid shortening in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Add cut-up chicken pieces and brown evenly on all sides.

Step 2: Add Vegetables and Seasoning

  • Add chopped onion to the pan and cook until translucent.
  • Stir in the spaghetti sauce mix.

Step 3: Add Sauce Ingredients

  • Add tomato paste, water, and mushrooms.
  • Stir until well combined and sauce coats the chicken.

Step 4: Simmer

  • Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook slowly for about 45 minutes, or until chicken is tender and sauce has thickened.

Step 5: Serve

  • Serve hot over cooked spaghetti, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Tips

  • Use bone-in chicken pieces for the richest flavor; skin-on will brown best.
  • Substitute olive oil or butter for shortening if desired.
  • Add bell peppers or celery for extra vegetables and flavor.
  • Serve over cooked spaghetti, rice, or mashed potatoes to stretch the meal.
  • For deeper flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of wine after browning the chicken.
  • Fresh mushrooms may be substituted for canned mushrooms.
  • If sauce is too thick, add additional water or broth a little at a time.
  • If sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered during the last 10 minutes.
  • Season simply with salt and pepper, or add Italian seasoning for an herby profile.
  • This dish reheats well and can be prepared ahead for next-day meals.

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 35gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 680mgPotassium: 720mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 2mg
Keyword comfort food, family meal, mushrooms, skillet chicken, stovetop chicken, tomato sauce chicken, vintage recipe, weeknight dinner
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