Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet Recipe
This Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet is a delicious and comforting dish featuring tender chicken strips cooked in a buttery, creamy sauce infused with the tangy zest of pepperoncini peppers and savory Italian seasoning. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal with a rich flavor profile that pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs chicken, cut into thin strips
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
Skillet Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 tbsp garlic, diced
- ½ cup chicken stock
- ½ cup roasted red pepper, drained and sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ cup pepperoncini peppers, drained (sliced, ring, or whole)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken into thin strips and season with sea salt and ground pepper, ensuring all pieces are evenly coated for balanced flavor.
- Brown Chicken: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook until they are browned on all sides, which locks in juiciness and adds rich flavor. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add the diced white onion and garlic. Sauté until the mixture is fragrant and the onion becomes golden, building the base flavor for the sauce.
- Deglaze and Reduce: Pour in the chicken stock and add the sliced roasted red peppers. Allow the mixture to simmer, reducing by half to concentrate the flavors and create a flavorful base.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Turn off the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese. Whisk continuously to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce without lumps.
- Season Sauce: Return the skillet to medium heat and stir in the Italian seasoning and drained pepperoncini peppers, adding lively, tangy notes to the sauce.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the browned chicken strips to the skillet. Simmer the mixture until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency, coating the chicken beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the creamy pepperoncini chicken hot over rice, roasted vegetables, or pasta for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a lighter alternative, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk, though sauce will be less thick.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of pepperoncini peppers to control heat and tanginess according to your taste.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by ensuring the chicken stock and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth melting in the sauce.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken, Skillet Chicken Recipe, Creamy Chicken with Peppers, Quick Dinner, One-Pan Chicken, Italian-inspired Chicken
