Description
Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken is a quick and flavorful stovetop dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a tangy and creamy pepperoncini sauce. Perfectly seared chicken is coated in a luscious blend of garlic, heavy cream, cream cheese, and zesty pepperoncini peppers, creating a comforting and savory meal that pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- 2 tbsp pepperoncini brine
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and season chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and help with browning.
- Sear chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and make sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté it for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then stir in the chicken broth, heavy cream, sliced pepperoncini peppers, pepperoncini brine, softened cream cheese, and Italian seasoning. Stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Simmer chicken in sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the creamy sauce over the top, and allow everything to simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors and heat through.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a fresh, colorful finish. Serve the creamy pepperoncini chicken hot over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve a better sear.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- The pepperoncini brine adds a tangy depth; don’t omit if you want authentic flavor.
- Use softened cream cheese to blend smoothly into the sauce.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of pepperoncini peppers to control spiciness.
- This dish pairs well with buttery mashed potatoes, cooked pasta, or steamed rice for a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
