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Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 108 reviews

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.

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

Find it online: https://cheframi.com/creamy-pepperoncini-chicken-skillet-recipe/