Description
Pepperoncini chicken skillet delivers tangy, creamy comfort from Italian-American kitchens. Juicy chicken thighs simmer in zesty pepperoncini peppers with cream cheese for a quick, satisfying weeknight meal that delights your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds chicken, cut in strips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, diced
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, drained
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
Instructions
- Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high, melting butter to create a golden cooking surface.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then sear until golden brown and crisp, approximately 4-6 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from pan, keeping it warm while preparing subsequent components.
- Sauté minced garlic and diced onions in remaining pan drippings until fragrant and caramelized, roughly 3-4 minutes.
- Pour chicken stock and sliced red peppers into skillet, allowing liquid to reduce by half and concentrate flavors, about 4-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low, gently whisking heavy cream and grated parmesan into sauce until smooth and velvety.
- Reintroduce seared chicken to skillet, adding chopped pepperoncini, dried herbs, and additional seasonings.
- Simmer gently, ensuring chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, which typically takes 6-8 minutes.
- Allow sauce to thicken slightly and coat chicken pieces before serving, creating a rich, creamy coating.
Notes
- Select chicken breasts with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
- Use fresh garlic and slice onions thinly for deeper flavor development during sautéing.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, dietary-friendly alternatives that maintain creamy texture.
- Adjust pepperoncini quantity based on heat preference, using milder peppers for sensitive palates or extra for spice lovers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 661
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1016 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 27 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 51 g
- Cholesterol: 193 mg