Easy Creamy Peppercorn Chicken: A Weeknight Delight

Are you looking for a quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful weeknight dinner? Look no further than this creamy peppercorn chicken recipe! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, featuring tender chicken breasts bathed in a rich, decadent peppercorn cream sauce. This dish is surprisingly simple to make, requiring minimal ingredients and effort, yet delivering maximum flavor. It’s perfect served over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or even enjoyed with a side of crusty bread to soak up all that delicious sauce. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this restaurant-quality meal made in the comfort of your own kitchen.

## Why You’ll Love This Creamy Peppercorn Chicken Recipe

* **Quick and Easy:** This recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
* **Flavorful:** The combination of peppercorns, cream, and garlic creates a truly unforgettable flavor profile.
* **Versatile:** Serve it with your favorite sides – pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, vegetables – the possibilities are endless.
* **Impressive:** This dish looks and tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant, but it’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
* **Comfort Food:** The creamy sauce and tender chicken make this dish the ultimate comfort food.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather these ingredients:

* **Chicken Breasts:** 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds total)
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons, for searing the chicken
* **Butter:** 2 tablespoons, unsalted, for adding richness to the sauce
* **Shallot:** 1 medium, finely chopped (or 1/2 small onion, finely chopped)
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves, minced
* **Peppercorns:** 2 tablespoons, coarsely crushed (black, green, or a mix)
* **Chicken Broth:** 1 cup, low sodium
* **Heavy Cream:** 1 cup
* **Dijon Mustard:** 1 tablespoon
* **Worcestershire Sauce:** 1 teaspoon
* **Fresh Parsley:** 2 tablespoons, chopped, for garnish
* **Salt and Black Pepper:** To taste, for seasoning

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Large Skillet or Frying Pan:** A 12-inch skillet is ideal.
* **Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin:** For tenderizing the chicken.
* **Cutting Board and Knife:** For prepping the ingredients.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Small Bowl:** For crushing the peppercorns.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your creamy peppercorn chicken:

**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken**

* Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a resealable plastic bag.
* Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This helps ensure even cooking and makes the chicken more tender.
* Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

**Step 2: Sear the Chicken**

* Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
* Once the oil is hot, carefully add the chicken breasts to the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
* Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
* Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.

**Step 3: Make the Peppercorn Cream Sauce**

* In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
* Add the chopped shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
* Stir in the crushed peppercorns and cook for another minute to release their aroma.
* Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These browned bits add a lot of flavor to the sauce.
* Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes, or until slightly reduced.
* Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring the sauce back to a simmer.
* Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
* Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Be careful with the salt, as the chicken broth and Dijon mustard can be salty.

**Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce**

* Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the peppercorn cream sauce.
* Spoon the sauce over the chicken, making sure it is well coated.
* Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.

**Step 5: Garnish and Serve**

* Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
* Serve immediately over your choice of pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or with a side of crusty bread.

## Tips for Perfect Creamy Peppercorn Chicken

* **Pound the Chicken:** Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures even cooking and helps tenderize the meat. Don’t skip this step!
* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:** When searing the chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the skillet. Overcrowding will lower the temperature of the pan and prevent the chicken from browning properly. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary.
* **Use Freshly Crushed Peppercorns:** Freshly crushed peppercorns will provide the most intense and flavorful peppercorn flavor. You can use a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder to crush the peppercorns.
* **Adjust the Amount of Peppercorns:** If you prefer a milder peppercorn flavor, reduce the amount of peppercorns in the recipe. If you like a stronger peppercorn flavor, add more.
* **Don’t Overcook the Sauce:** Be careful not to overcook the sauce, as it can become too thick. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little more chicken broth or cream to thin it out.
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Using high-quality ingredients will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish. Use fresh herbs, good-quality chicken broth, and heavy cream.
* **Deglaze the Pan:** Deglazing the pan with chicken broth after searing the chicken is essential for adding flavor to the sauce. Be sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
* **Add a Splash of Wine:** For an extra layer of flavor, add a splash of dry white wine to the skillet after cooking the shallots and garlic. Let the wine reduce slightly before adding the chicken broth.
* **Make it Spicy:** If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
* **Add Mushrooms:** Sauté sliced mushrooms with the shallots and garlic for a heartier dish.

## Serving Suggestions

This creamy peppercorn chicken is delicious served with a variety of sides. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Pasta:** Toss the chicken and sauce with your favorite pasta shape, such as fettuccine, linguine, or penne. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.
* **Rice:** Serve the chicken over a bed of fluffy white rice, brown rice, or wild rice.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to the rich peppercorn sauce.
* **Vegetables:** Serve with a side of steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or sautéed spinach.
* **Crusty Bread:** Serve with crusty bread for soaking up all that delicious sauce.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Chicken Thighs:** You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Chicken thighs will take a little longer to cook.
* **Turkey Breast:** This recipe also works well with turkey breast.
* **Vegetarian Option:** Substitute the chicken with firm tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
* **Dairy-Free Option:** Use coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free version. You may also need to add a thickener, such as cornstarch, to the sauce.
* **Different Types of Peppercorns:** Experiment with different types of peppercorns, such as pink peppercorns or Szechuan peppercorns, for a unique flavor.
* **Add Herbs:** Add fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or oregano, to the sauce for added flavor.

## Make Ahead Instructions

You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce in a skillet over medium heat, then add the chicken and simmer until heated through.

## Storage Instructions

Store leftover creamy peppercorn chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Per serving, based on 4 servings):

* Calories: 450-550
* Protein: 40-50g
* Fat: 25-35g
* Carbohydrates: 10-15g

*Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

## Recipe Card

**Easy Creamy Peppercorn Chicken**

**Prep Time:** 10 minutes
**Cook Time:** 20 minutes
**Total Time:** 30 minutes
**Servings:** 4

**Ingredients:**

* 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds total)
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
* 1 medium shallot, finely chopped (or 1/2 small onion, finely chopped)
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons peppercorns, coarsely crushed (black, green, or a mix)
* 1 cup chicken broth, low sodium
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
* Salt and black pepper, to taste

**Instructions:**

1. Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Peppercorn Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallot and cook until softened. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in the crushed peppercorns and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and let simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
4. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Spoon sauce over chicken and let simmer for 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
5. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread.

Enjoy your delicious and easy creamy peppercorn chicken!