Name: Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2½ pounds chicken pieces; 3 bell peppers; 1 onion; 2 cloves garlic; 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; ½ cup dry white wine; 1 cup tomato passata; 1½ teaspoons salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

There’s something wonderfully comforting about a dish that comes together in one pan yet feels special enough for a cozy dinner. This Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe is exactly that—rich, colorful, and packed with flavor, making every bite worth savoring.

A black bowl filled with a vibrant orange-red stew containing several layers of chicken pieces covered in a thick sauce, with visible strips of yellow and red bell peppers mixed throughout. The chicken pieces are plump and glossy, sitting within the chunky sauce that has bits of cooked tomatoes and onions. The bowl is placed on a dark green textured cloth on a white marbled surface, with slices of white bread on a wooden board in the background. The lighting highlights the juicy, rich texture of the stew, making it look warm and savory photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this creamy chicken skillet with you because it’s one of those dishes that feels both homey and elegant at the same time. It’s a personal favorite for relaxed weekends and always impresses without much fuss.

One-pan ease: Everything cooks together, so cleanup is a breeze—perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
Flavor-packed simplicity: The combination of chicken, sweet bell peppers, and a tomato-based sauce creates layers of irresistible taste.
Versatile and forgiving: You can easily tweak the ingredients or sides to suit what you have on hand or your dietary needs.
Perfect for leftovers: It tastes even better the next day, which means you’ll look forward to lunch or dinner all over again.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe balances simple but fresh ingredients that come together in such a way to create a creamy, rich sauce without cream. Knowing what to pick at the store really helps with the final flavor—especially the peppers and wine!

Flat lay of raw chicken pieces with trimmed skin, three fresh bell peppers in red, yellow, and green, one peeled whole onion cut in half, two whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden extra virgin olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl with clear dry white wine, a small white ceramic bowl containing bright red tomato passata, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse salt, and a small white ceramic bowl of ground black pepper, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken pieces: I like bone-in thighs for juiciness, but breasts work too—you just need to watch cooking time.
Bell peppers: Use a mix of colors for sweetness and visual appeal; fresh and firm peppers give the best texture.
Onion: Yellow onions add sweetness and depth as they cook down slowly in the skillet.
Garlic: Fresh cloves add punch—if you don’t have fresh, garlic powder works fine in a pinch.
Extra virgin olive oil: This is your flavor carrier, so use a good-quality oil to enrich the sauce.
Dry white wine: The wine brings acidity and complexity—if you opt out, add a splash of broth with lemon juice.
Tomato passata: A smooth, strained tomato puree that lets the chicken and peppers shine without chunky distractions.
Salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning—always taste as you go to keep things balanced.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to switch things up now and then depending on the season or what’s in the fridge. This Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe is flexible, so don't hesitate to put your spin on it—you'll enjoy making it your own.

Variation: Sometimes I add a handful of olives or capers for a briny twist—it lifts the flavors beautifully and reminds me of Mediterranean dinners I’ve loved on vacation.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe

The image shows a white plate with two cooked chicken drumsticks covered in a thick orange-red sauce, resting on a bed of soft, sliced red and yellow peppers mixed in the same sauce. The chicken has a shiny, saucy texture, and the peppers are tender and glossy, placed below and around the chicken, creating a layered effect. A silver fork is placed on the left edge of the plate. The background is a white marbled surface with a dark green cloth partially under the plate and another plate of the same dish blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Chicken and Veggies

Start by trimming any excess skin and double-checking your chicken pieces for little feather quills—this is more for personal preference than safety, but trust me, it makes a difference. Dry them well so the oil won’t splatter when you fry. Wash and slice your bell peppers into thick strips, peel and slice an onion, and get your garlic ready.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken to Build Flavor

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, skin-side down if using skin-on, and brown on all sides. This step might take 10–15 minutes, but it’s key for a rich, savory base to your sauce. Don’t rush—let the chicken develop that gorgeous golden crust.

Step 3: Cook the Aromatics

Once the chicken is browned, toss in the sliced onions and whole garlic cloves. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften and start to melt into the pan. The garlic will mellow and infuse the oil, setting up a great flavor foundation.

Step 4: Deglaze and Simmer

Pour in the dry white wine and watch it bubble away—this burns off the alcohol and concentrates the taste, making your sauce more complex. Then add your sliced bell peppers, tomato passata, salt, and pepper. Give everything a gentle stir.

Step 5: Low and Slow Is the Key

Lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and let the chicken simmer gently for 30 to 40 minutes. Turn the pieces occasionally to help them cook evenly and soak up that luscious sauce. If the pan looks dry, add a splash of water—this keeps the sauce silky and prevents burning.

Step 6: Finish with a Thickened Sauce

Remove the lid and keep simmering for about 30 minutes more so the sauce reduces and thickens. Taste towards the end—sometimes the sweetness from the peppers means you’ll want a little extra salt. Serve right away with crusty bread to mop up every bit.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe truly shine. Feel free to use these tips to ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time.

Pat Dry for Crispiness: Dry chicken skin means better browning and less oil splatter—don’t skip this step, trust me!
Don’t Rush the Browning: It might take longer than you expect, but that golden crust adds so much flavor you won’t want to skip it.
Simmer Gently: Keep the heat low to avoid tough chicken and give the flavors time to meld beautifully.
Adjust Seasoning at the End: The sauce sweetens as it cooks, so a last-minute taste and seasoning adjustment can make a big difference.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe

Creamy Chicken and Pepper - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love scattering freshly chopped parsley or basil over the finished dish—it adds a bright pop of color and fresh flavor that cuts through the richness. A squeeze of lemon on top can also lift the whole meal when you want a refreshing tang.

Side Dishes

Crusty rustic bread is my go-to for soaking up every last drop of that luscious sauce. Sometimes I serve it with a simple garlic butter pasta or even creamy polenta, which balances the peppery tomato flavors beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve plated the chicken over a bed of herbed couscous or roasted baby potatoes, topped with toasted pine nuts for crunch. Dressing it up with microgreens or edible flowers also turns this humble skillet into an elegant centerpiece.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate. The flavors deepen overnight, and I love that the sauce thickens a bit, making reheated portions even more comforting.

Freezing

This dish freezes well, too—just portion it out, freeze in meal-sized containers, and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. It’s a lifesaver for busy weeks when you want a ready-to-go meal bursting with taste.

Reheating

I reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. This keeps the chicken tender and sauce creamy without drying it out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless chicken breasts or thighs work fine. Just be mindful they’ll cook faster, so reduce simmering time accordingly to avoid drying out the meat.

What if I don’t have white wine?

No worries! You can substitute the white wine with chicken broth mixed with a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of white grape juice to maintain acidity and flavor depth.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, this Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe is naturally dairy-free since it gets its creamy texture from the tomatoes and olive oil—no cream needed at all.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the meat feels tender and pulls away easily from the bone. Also, the sauce should be thick and glossy at this point.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Chicken and Pepper Skillet Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because of its ease, comfort, and those stunning simple flavors that always hit the spot. I hope you enjoy making it just as much as I do—don’t forget to serve it with your favorite bread to soak up every last bit of that luscious sauce. Give it a try and soon it’ll become a staple in your recipe rotation too!