Tangy Creamy Chicken Skillet

Featured in Chicken & Turkey Everyone Will Love.

Prepare this flavorful, fuss-free chicken dish in one skillet! Savor the creamy sauce, pepperoncini kick, and roasted red peppers in just 30 minutes. Perfect with pasta or rice.

A woman wearing a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:54:36 GMT
A skillet showcasing tender chicken pieces nestled in a creamy sauce with vibrant red and green peppers. Pin it
A skillet showcasing tender chicken pieces nestled in a creamy sauce with vibrant red and green peppers. | cookbybook.com

Our One-Pan Tangy Pepperoncini Chicken combines juicy chicken with a smooth, slightly zingy sauce. I whipped this up during a hectic evening, and now my family begs for it constantly. The way the smooth sauce blends with those tangy pepperoncini bits creates something truly special—all in a single skillet.

Easy But Impressive

What makes this dish awesome is how it turns everyday ingredients into something that feels fancy. I serve it with pasta for the kids or pair it with roasted veggies when I'm watching carbs. It always hits that sweet spot between comforting and flavorful. And since everything cooks in one pan, you won't spend ages washing dishes afterward.

What You'll Need

  • Tenders: These chicken pieces cook quickly and stay tender throughout.
  • Butter: Quality butter forms the foundation of our luxurious sauce.
  • Pepperoncini: These give the dish its signature tang and mild warmth.
  • Cream: Heavy cream creates that velvety texture we're after.
  • Fresh Parmesan: Grated by hand for the smoothest melt.
  • Stock: Chicken stock adds rich flavor and thins the sauce perfectly.
  • Sweet Roasted Peppers: Their mellowness balances the zippy pepperoncini.
  • Aromatics: Onion and garlic start the flavor party right.
  • Herb Blend: Italian seasoning pulls all the flavors into harmony.

Cooking Steps

Nail The Chicken First
Generously season those tenders and brown them in melted butter. Put them aside for now—they'll finish cooking in our sauce later.
Layer Your Flavors
Using the same pan, soften your onions and get that garlic nice and fragrant.
Create The Sauce
Let your stock cook down a bit, then mix in your cream and cheese away from direct heat for the creamiest results.
Combine Everything
Stir in your spices, pepperoncini, and the browned chicken, letting them mingle until the chicken cooks through.
Ready To Serve
Plate it up your favorite way and watch it disappear fast.

Pairing Suggestions

We love this over twirly pasta, but it's equally good with a pile of steamy rice. For lighter meals, we go with spiralized zucchini. Don't forget a simple green salad on the side to round things out.

Pro Tips

Always brown your chicken at the start—it adds tons of flavor. Try to find fresh pepperoncini if you can, they taste so much better. Don't let your sauce bubble after adding cream or it might break. And always grate your own parmesan—it melts into the sauce way better than pre-shredded.

Tasty Twists

You can swap in seafood or plant-based protein if chicken isn't your thing. Feel free to change up the amount of pepperoncini based on how tangy you want it. Half-and-half works if you're cutting back on fat, and adding some chopped fresh herbs at the end brightens everything up.

Leftover Magic

This stuff tastes even better after a day or two in the fridge. When you're warming it up, do it slowly on low heat and add a splash of broth to keep that sauce smooth. You can also heat it in the oven at a low temp if that's easier.

Common Questions

You can totally use banana peppers instead if that's what you've got. The sauce gets thick on its own as it cools, but you can stir in a bit of cornstarch mixed with water if you want it thicker faster. This dish doesn't have any nuts—just that creamy dairy goodness.

A skillet filled with cooked chicken pieces in a creamy sauce, mixed with sliced red peppers and green onions. Pin it
A skillet filled with cooked chicken pieces in a creamy sauce, mixed with sliced red peppers and green onions. | cookbybook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap to chicken thighs?

Absolutely, boneless thighs work well. Slice them into strips and cook until their internal temperature is 165°F.

→ What if the sauce thickens too much?

Just pour in a bit more chicken stock and stir until it’s the texture you like. Remember, it’ll keep thickening as it cooks.

→ How do I tone down the spice?

You can cut back on or skip the pepperoncini entirely. The roasted peppers and seasonings will still make for a delicious dish.

→ What are good pairings for this dish?

This goes great with rice, mashed potatoes, pasta, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter side.

→ How should I store leftovers?

Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently to keep the sauce from separating.

Conclusion

This hearty one-pan meal features juicy chicken coated in a creamy, pepperoncini-spiked sauce. It’s a quick, tasty choice for busy evenings, full of flavor and easy to serve.

Creamy Chicken Skillet

A one-pan dish mixing juicy chicken slices with zesty pepperoncini, roasted peppers, and a cheesy cream sauce.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Poultry

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings (6 servings)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 teaspoon ground pepper.
02 1 teaspoon sea salt.
03 2 tablespoons butter.
04 1 white onion, diced.
05 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced.
06 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, drained.
07 2 tablespoons garlic, diced.
08 2 pounds chicken, cut in strips.
09 1 cup heavy cream.
10 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning.
11 1/2 cup chicken stock.
12 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded.

Instructions

Step 01

On medium-high heat, warm up the butter in a big skillet.

Step 02

Sprinkle the chicken with pepper and salt, cook for around 8 minutes to brown it, then take it out.

Step 03

Sauté the onion and garlic together for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until they're golden.

Step 04

Toss in the red peppers and stock, cooking to reduce it by half over 5 minutes.

Step 05

Turn the heat off and whisk the cream and parmesan into the pan.

Step 06

Bring it back to the heat, stir in seasoning, pepperoncini, and chicken. Cook everything until the chicken's internal temperature is 165°F.

Notes

  1. If the sauce feels too thick, more stock can loosen it up.
  2. Try serving this with rice, pasta, or some veggies.
  3. Pepperoncini can be cut into slices or left whole—your choice!

Tools You'll Need

  • Big, sturdy skillet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 565
  • Total Fat: 41 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 41 g