Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet Recipe – Quick & Easy Recipe
Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet is a quick and easy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken strips simmered in a rich and tangy sauce made with heavy cream, parmesan cheese, roasted red peppers, and tangy pepperoncini. This flavorful dish balances creamy, spicy, and savory notes for a comforting dinner that can be prepared in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 lbs chicken, cut into thin strips
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
Sauté Base
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 tbsp garlic, diced
Sauce
- 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
- Prep the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken into thin strips. Season it evenly with sea salt and ground pepper to enhance the natural chicken flavor.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Onions: In the same skillet, add the diced onions and garlic. Cook them for about 5 minutes until softened and lightly browned, developing a rich flavor base for the sauce.
- Create the Sauce: Pour in the chicken stock and add the roasted red peppers. Allow the liquid to reduce by half over about 5 minutes, concentrating the flavors.
- Add the Cream and Cheese: Turn off the heat and slowly whisk in the heavy cream and shredded parmesan cheese, stirring vigorously to form a smooth, creamy sauce. Return the heat to medium-high.
- Finish with Italian Seasoning and Pepperoncinis: Stir in Italian seasoning and pepperoncini peppers. Return the browned chicken to the skillet and let it simmer gently in the sauce until the chicken is fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. If the sauce becomes too thick, add additional chicken stock to adjust consistency.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream.
- Vegetarian option: replace chicken with a plant-based chicken alternative and chicken stock with vegetable broth.
- Adjust the spice by choosing mild or hot pepperoncini peppers based on your preference.
- Simmer the chicken just until cooked fully to keep it tender and juicy.
- Serve with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Pepperoncini chicken, creamy chicken skillet, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, one-pan meal, creamy pepperoncini sauce