Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet: Your New Weeknight Favorite Recipe
Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet is a delicious and easy weeknight meal featuring tender chicken cooked in a tangy and creamy pepperoncini sauce. This skillet dish combines the zest from pepperoncini peppers with garlic and a rich cream sauce, perfect served over rice or pasta for a comforting and flavorful dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce
- 1 cup sliced pepperoncini (fresh or jarred)
- 1 cup heavy cream (substitute with half-and-half for lighter option)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking (about 1-2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the minced garlic to the skillet, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
- Add pepperoncini: Stir in the sliced pepperoncini peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes to release their flavors into the sauce.
- Make the creamy sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine and finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet to coat with the sauce and heat through for a minute or two. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve: Serve the creamy pepperoncini chicken hot with your choice of side dishes such as rice, pasta, or vegetables for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier results or breasts for leaner protein.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the consistency may be thinner.
- Choosing low-sodium chicken broth helps control the saltiness of the dish, allowing better balance with the tangy pepperoncini.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the creamy pepperoncini sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on stovetop.
Keywords: pepperoncini chicken, creamy chicken skillet, easy weeknight chicken, chicken thighs recipe, creamy pepperoncini sauce
