Description
Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken is a flavorful skillet dish featuring tender chicken coated in a rich, creamy sauce with a zesty kick from pepperoncini and roasted red peppers. This quick and easy meal combines savory, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Cooking Fat
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloins
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup finely shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced roasted red peppers, drained well
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers, drained well
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat the fats: Heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat in a large cast iron skillet to create a flavorful base for the chicken.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken tenderloins generously with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor.
- Brown the chicken: Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, ensuring good searing. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside; note that it does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes to release its aroma.
- Reduce the broth: Pour in the chicken broth and cook until it has reduced by half, concentrating the flavors in the pan.
- Add cream and seasoning: Stir in the heavy cream and dried Italian seasoning, then return the chicken to the skillet, coating it in the sauce.
- Simmer the chicken: Let the mixture simmer until the heavy cream has thickened slightly and the chicken is cooked through.
- Finish the sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in Parmesan cheese, roasted red peppers, pepperoncini peppers, and crushed red pepper flakes until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Season to taste: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
- The chicken is seared initially but finishes cooking in the sauce to retain juiciness.
- Use fresh grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Drain pepperoncini and roasted red peppers well to avoid diluting the sauce.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
