Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet Recipe – Quick & Easy Recipe

Introduction

This Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet is a quick and easy dish that combines tender chicken strips with a tangy, flavorful sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it delivers a creamy, zesty meal in just one pan.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 lbs chicken, cut into thin strips
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 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

1. Step 1: Cut the chicken into thin strips and season with sea salt and ground pepper.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: Add the diced white onion and garlic to the same skillet and sauté until fragrant and golden.
4. Step 4: Pour in the chicken stock and roasted red peppers. Let the mixture reduce by half to deepen the flavor.
5. Step 5: Turn off the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, whisking to create a smooth sauce.
6. Step 6: Return the skillet to medium heat and add Italian seasoning and pepperoncini peppers. Stir well to combine.
7. Step 7: Add the browned chicken back to the pan and simmer until fully cooked and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
8. Step 8: Serve hot over rice, vegetables, or pasta, and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in a little olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning before cooking.
• Swap out pepperoncini peppers for banana peppers or mild jalapeños if you prefer a different heat level.
• Add fresh spinach or kale in the last few minutes for a nutritious boost.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce.

Storage

Store leftover creamy pepperoncini chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain the sauce’s creaminess. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken strips?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts. Slice them thinly to ensure they cook evenly and absorb the creamy sauce well.

Is this recipe spicy?

The pepperoncini peppers add a mild tangy heat, but the dish remains mostly creamy and balanced. You can adjust the spice by using fewer peppers or choosing milder varieties.

Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet Recipe – Quick & Easy Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 81 reviews

This Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet is a quick and easy one-pan meal bursting with tangy and savory flavors. Tender chicken strips are seared to perfection, then simmered in a luscious sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, roasted red peppers, and zesty pepperoncini. Ready in under 30 minutes, this comforting dish pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or steamed vegetables for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasoning

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 lbs chicken, cut into thin strips
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp ground pepper

Vegetables and Aromatics

• 1 white onion, diced
• 2 tbsp garlic, diced
• ½ cup roasted red pepper, drained and sliced
• ½ cup pepperoncini peppers, drained (sliced, ring, or whole)

Liquids and Dairy

• ½ cup chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Herbs and Spices

• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into thin strips and season evenly with sea salt and ground pepper to enhance the flavor.
2. Brown the Chicken: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook until they are browned on all sides, ensuring a nice sear. Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add the diced onions and garlic. Sauté over medium heat until the onions become translucent and golden, and the garlic is fragrant, which builds the flavor base for the sauce.
4. Add Roasted Red Peppers and Stock: Pour in the chicken stock and add the drained roasted red peppers to the skillet. Allow the mixture to reduce by half, intensifying the flavors and creating a rich base for the creamy sauce.
5. Incorporate Cream and Cheese: Turn off the heat and slowly stir in the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese. Whisk thoroughly to create a smooth and creamy sauce without lumps.
6. Season the Sauce: Return the skillet to medium heat, then add the Italian seasoning and pepperoncini peppers. Stir well to evenly distribute the tangy peppers and herbs throughout the sauce.
7. Simmer with Chicken: Add the browned chicken strips back into the skillet. Simmer gently until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce thickens to a rich, creamy consistency, ensuring all flavors meld beautifully.
8. Serve: Serve the creamy pepperoncini chicken hot over your choice of rice, steamed vegetables, or pasta. Enjoy this flavorful and hearty skillet meal!

Notes

• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a blend of milk and cream.
• Adjust the amount of pepperoncini peppers based on your preferred spice and tang level.
• Serve over a bed of rice or pasta to soak up the creamy sauce.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.
• To make this dish gluten free, ensure the chicken stock used is gluten free.

Keywords: creamy pepperoncini chicken, skillet chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, easy creamy chicken, pepperoncini chicken skillet