Description
Creamy skillet chicken in roasted red pepper sauce brings Mediterranean warmth to weeknight dinners with bold, silky flavors. Simple ingredients dance together, creating a luxurious meal that transports you straight to Southern European comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon (1 tsp) smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon (½ tsp) red pepper flakes (optional)
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (2 tbsp) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup jarred roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by patting it dry and generously coating with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to enhance flavor and create a delectable crust.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling surface for perfect searing.
- Cook chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until a golden-brown exterior develops and internal temperature reaches safe cooking point.
- Transfer chicken to a temporary plate, keeping it warm and preserving its juiciness.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt butter, creating a rich foundation for the sauce.
- Sauté onions until translucent and softened, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Add minced garlic and cook briefly to awaken its aromatic qualities without burning.
- Incorporate roasted red peppers into the skillet, allowing them to meld with the existing flavors.
- Transfer entire skillet contents to a blender, introducing chicken broth to create a smooth, velvety sauce.
- Blend until completely uniform and silky in texture.
- Return sauce to skillet over medium-low heat, preparing for final seasoning.
- Introduce cream, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese to develop a luxurious, complex flavor profile.
- Simmer sauce for 3-4 minutes, allowing ingredients to integrate and slightly thicken.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, ensuring a perfectly balanced sauce.
- Gently return chicken to the skillet, coating each piece with the vibrant red pepper sauce.
- Allow chicken to reheat thoroughly for 2-3 minutes, ensuring complete temperature integration.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley for a burst of herbal freshness.
- Serve immediately over pasta, creamy mashed potatoes, or accompanied by crusty artisan bread.
Notes
- Pat chicken completely dry to ensure a perfect golden sear and crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes for those with different heat tolerances.
- Use dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream or plant-based cream to make the recipe suitable for lactose-intolerant or vegan diners.
- Roast your own red peppers for an intensely fresh flavor if store-bought jarred peppers feel too mild or processed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg