Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet is a flavorful and comforting dish that features tender chicken breasts simmered in a tangy, creamy sauce with pepperoncini peppers. It’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that comes together quickly and easily.

A close-up of a creamy dish showing several pieces of brown grilled chicken with visible char marks, layered with small bright green chopped parts that look like leeks or green onions. There are chunks of light red lobster meat scattered on top of the chicken, all covered in a thick, light cream sauce. The food sits on a white plate against a white marbled background, with a woman's hand gently holding the plate from the side. The overall look is rich and fresh with a mix of textures from tender meat to smooth sauce. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Step 2: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and minced garlic. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Add the sliced pepperoncini peppers to the skillet and cook for another 2 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  6. Step 6: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer.
  7. Step 7: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes.
  8. Step 8: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use a cast-iron skillet for even cooking and more flavorful browning.
  • Adjust the amount of pepperoncini peppers to suit your preferred level of tanginess and heat.
  • For a richer sauce, add grated Parmesan cheese just before adding the cream.
  • Swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier alternative.
  • Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make it vegetarian-friendly.
  • Substitute coconut milk for heavy cream for a dairy-free version.
  • Add diced tomatoes or fresh spinach to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrients.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the skillet over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. Avoid freezing if possible, as the cream sauce may separate upon thawing.

How to Serve

The image shows a creamy dish with multiple layers. At the bottom, there is a thick white sauce with a smooth, glossy texture spread evenly across a white plate. On top, grilled chicken pieces are placed irregularly, with golden-brown char marks and a slightly crispy look. Scattered over the chicken are small, bright green chopped vegetables, adding freshness and color contrast. Dotted over the dish are chunks of pinkish-red lobster meat, appearing tender and juicy. The overall scene is set on a white marbled surface, with soft natural light highlighting the textures and colors. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use bone-in chicken, but you will need to increase the cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked through.

Can I make this dish spicy?

Absolutely! Increase the amount of pepperoncini peppers or add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce to add more heat.

Print

Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet Recipe

Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked in a tangy, creamy sauce made with pepperoncini peppers, garlic, onion, and heavy cream. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this skillet meal combines zesty and rich flavors with a smooth texture, making it a delightful family favorite served over pasta, rice, or vegetables.

  • Author: Rami
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 lbs chicken cut into thin strips (optional variation)

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 onion, thinly sliced or diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced or 2 tbsp garlic diced
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers (or ½ cup for variation)
  • ½ cup roasted red pepper, drained and sliced (optional variation)

Liquids and Dairy

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter (optional variation)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (or ½ cup chicken stock for variation)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded (optional for extra creaminess)

Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (optional variation)
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat oil and season chicken: Heat olive oil (or melt butter for variation) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper thoroughly.
  2. Cook chicken: Add chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 5-8 minutes per side depending on thickness. For strips, brown evenly about 8 minutes total. Remove from skillet and set aside (chicken may not be fully cooked at this point).
  3. Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add sliced or diced onions and minced garlic. Cook until onions are soft and translucent, approximately 3-5 minutes.
  4. Add peppers: Stir in sliced pepperoncini peppers and cook for 2 more minutes. For variation, add roasted red peppers here as well.
  5. Deglaze skillet: Pour chicken broth or stock into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to enhance flavor.
  6. Add cream and cheese: Slowly stir in heavy cream (and parmesan cheese if using), whisking to combine. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
  7. Return chicken and season: Return chicken breasts (or strips) to the skillet. Add Italian seasoning if desired. Let the sauce reduce and thicken while the chicken finishes cooking through, about 10 minutes, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Add more stock if sauce becomes too thick.
  8. Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.

Notes

  • Use a cast-iron skillet for best results and even cooking.
  • Adjust the quantity of pepperoncini peppers based on your heat preference.
  • For extra creaminess and flavor, Parmesan cheese is recommended to be added to the sauce.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  • Bone-in chicken can be used but will require longer cooking time to reach safe internal temperature.
  • For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for vegetarian adaptation.
  • The recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as gluten-free broth is used.

Keywords: Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken, Skillet Chicken Recipe, Italian Chicken Dinner, Pepperoncini Chicken, Easy Chicken Skillet, Creamy Chicken Sauce

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