Description
This Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet is a delicious and tangy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich, creamy sauce infused with pepperoncini peppers. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it delivers a flavorful blend of garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning with a subtle heat from the brined peppers, making every bite savory and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- 2 tablespoons pepperoncini brine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken breasts or thighs evenly with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to prepare them for cooking.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and hot. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and pepperoncini: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the sliced pepperoncini peppers and cook for an additional minute to incorporate their flavor.
- Create the sauce base: Pour the chicken broth and pepperoncini brine into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom to add depth of flavor. Stir well.
- Add creamy ingredients: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine chicken with sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the top. Simmer everything together for another 3 to 5 minutes to ensure the chicken heats through and absorbs the sauce flavors.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top as garnish. Serve the creamy pepperoncini chicken hot, paired nicely with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes to enjoy the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Chicken thighs provide extra flavor and tenderness, but chicken breasts work well too.
- For extra heat, add a few crushed red pepper flakes along with the garlic.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up the creamy sauce.
