Description

This Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet features tender chicken strips cooked in a luscious, tangy cream sauce with pepperoncini peppers and roasted red peppers, enhanced by garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. Perfect for a comforting dinner, it pairs wonderfully with vegetables, pasta, or rice.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

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
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 the chicken: In a large, heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Season the chicken strips evenly with 1 teaspoon sea salt and 1 teaspoon ground pepper.
Brown the chicken: Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and brown on all sides, turning every couple of minutes, about 8 minutes total. The chicken might not be fully cooked through at this point, which is acceptable. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
Sauté aromatics: In the same pan, add the diced garlic and onion. Cook and let brown, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Add stock and roasted peppers: Pour in ½ cup chicken stock and add ½ cup drained roasted red peppers. Let the mixture reduce by half, about 5 minutes, to concentrate flavors.
Create the creamy sauce: Turn off the heat. Slowly whisk in 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese, mixing vigorously to combine smoothly without curdling.
Reheat and add seasonings: Gradually bring the heat back to medium-high. Stir in 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning and ½ cup drained pepperoncini peppers. Return the chicken to the skillet.
Finish cooking the chicken and sauce: Allow the sauce to reduce by half, while bringing the chicken fully to an internal temperature of 165°F. If the sauce gets too thick, add more chicken stock to thin it as needed.
Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Serve the creamy pepperoncini chicken over your choice of vegetables, pasta, rice, or enjoy it on its own.

Notes

Adjust the amount of pepperoncini peppers based on how much tangy heat you prefer.
You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less rich.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, garlic pasta, or fluffy rice.
If the sauce thickens too much after standing, gently reheat with a splash of chicken stock to loosen it.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken, Skillet Chicken, Cream Sauce Chicken, Pepperoncini Recipes, Easy Dinner, Italian Seasoned Chicken