Description
Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken strips cooked in a rich, creamy sauce with garlic, roasted red peppers, parmesan cheese, and tangy pepperoncini peppers. This dish combines savory and slightly spicy flavors with a smooth texture, perfect for serving over vegetables, pasta, or rice.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 lbs chicken, cut into thin strips
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp ground pepper
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 tbsp garlic, diced
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup roasted red pepper, drained and sliced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, drained (sliced, ring, or whole)
Instructions
- Heat Butter: In a large, heavy pan, melt butter on medium high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken and vegetables.
- Season Chicken: Season chicken strips with sea salt and ground pepper, ensuring even coating for flavor.
- Brown Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and brown on all sides, turning every couple of minutes, for about 8 minutes total. This helps to seal in juices and develop flavor.
- Remove Chicken: Remove chicken from the pan. The chicken might not be fully cooked to 165°F at this stage, which is acceptable as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic and Onion: Add the diced garlic and onion to the pan and cook until browned and aromatic, about 5 minutes, enhancing the base flavor of the sauce.
- Add Stock and Roasted Red Peppers: Pour in chicken stock and add roasted red pepper slices, allowing the mixture to reduce by half over approximately 5 minutes, concentrating the flavors.
- Add Cream and Parmesan: Turn off the heat and slowly stir in heavy cream and shredded parmesan cheese, whisking vigorously to create a smooth, creamy sauce without curdling.
- Return to Heat and Add Seasonings: Slowly bring heat back to medium high, add Italian seasoning and pepperoncini peppers, then return the chicken to the pan.
- Simmer and Finish Cooking: Allow the sauce to reduce to half again while the chicken finishes cooking through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Add additional chicken stock if needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the creamy pepperoncini chicken over vegetables, pasta, rice, or enjoy it on its own for a rich and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the heat level by adding more or fewer pepperoncini peppers.
- Serve the dish with your preferred sides such as steamed vegetables, pasta, or rice for a complete meal.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it with extra chicken stock or water as needed.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
