Go Back
Creamy pepperoncini chicken skillet with golden seared chicken in rich Parmesan sauce garnished with fresh herbs

Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Skillet

A quick and flavorful one-pan dinner with golden-seared chicken strips simmered in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce with tangy pepperoncini. Ready in just 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp butter unsalted preferred
  • 2 lbs chicken cut into thin strips
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground pepper
  • 1 white onion diced
  • 2 tbsp garlic diced
  • 0.5 cup chicken stock plus more as needed to adjust sauce consistency
  • 0.5 cup roasted red pepper drained and sliced
  • 1 cup heavy cream full-fat for best results
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese freshly shredded from a block for smoothest sauce
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 cup pepperoncini peppers drained, sliced rings or whole

Equipment

  • Large heavy skillet or cast-iron pan
  • whisk
  • Knife and cutting board

Method
 

  1. Cut the chicken into thin strips and season with sea salt and ground pepper on all sides.
  2. In a large heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips in a single layer and cook until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes. Work in batches if needed. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Add the diced onion and garlic to the same skillet and saute over medium-high heat until fragrant and golden, about 5 minutes.
  4. Pour in the chicken stock and roasted red peppers. Let the mixture reduce by half, about 5 minutes, to concentrate the flavor.
  5. Turn the heat off completely. Slowly stir in the heavy cream and shredded Parmesan cheese, whisking vigorously to create a smooth, creamy sauce with no lumps.
  6. Return the heat to medium-high. Stir in the Italian seasoning and drained pepperoncini peppers. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  7. Add the browned chicken back to the pan and simmer until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F and the sauce has thickened to a creamy, coating consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, add more chicken stock one tablespoon at a time.
  8. Serve hot over rice, pasta, or roasted vegetables. Garnish with extra shredded Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute full-fat coconut cream for the heavy cream. Replace chicken stock with vegetable broth and use plant-based chicken for a vegetarian option. Adjust spice level with mild or hot pepperoncini. Always shred Parmesan fresh from a block for the smoothest sauce. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier result. For a lower-calorie version, swap heavy cream for half-and-half.
QR Code linking back to recipe